KKR Asia infrastructure investing remains attractive despite infrastructure not acting as a traditional crisis safe haven, according to the firm’s global head of real assets Raj Agrawal. Investors suffered losses during both the global financial crisis and the COVID‑19 pandemic as assets such as toll roads, ports and airports were closely linked to economic cycles. KKR has since shifted its strategy toward assets with contracted cash flows and stronger downside protection, in

Deutsche Bank Asia wealth strategy is targeting affluent clients in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines as investors diversify away from heavy US asset exposure. Senior executive Claudio de Sanctis said the shift creates strong opportunities for the lender’s private banking business, particularly in Hong Kong which he described as the region’s most dynamic wealth hub. Hong Kong and North Asian markets are expected to account for most of Deutsche Bank’s plann

HSBC Hong Kong work policy will require customer‑facing employees including traders and sales personnel to return to the office five days a week from April 1, ending pandemic‑era work‑from‑home flexibility. Managing directors and senior staff with direct reports must attend at least four days weekly, while other Hong Kong employees must attend three days. HSBC employs more than 20,000 people in Hong Kong. The updated HSBC Hong Kong work policy reflects a broader industry tren

Malaysia capital market master plan aims to expand the country’s financial market to between RM5.8tr and RM6.3tr(USD1.23tr–USD1.33tr) by 2030 from RM4.3tr in 2025. Securities Commission Malaysia said the fourth master plan focuses on market vibrancy, inclusivity, sustainability financing and regional opportunities. Measures include expanding retail participation, promoting ASEAN‑focused exchange‑traded funds and addressing sustainability financing needs. The Malaysia capital

Singapore Capital Asia investigation has resulted in the arrest of two directors of fund manager Capital Asia Investments as authorities intensify financial‑sector enforcement. Police and the Monetary Authority of Singapore seized more than SGD160m(USD119m) in assets during the probe into suspected money laundering and regulatory breaches. MAS said it identified serious control failings in the firm’s anti‑money laundering compliance. The Singapore Capital Asia investigation h

Hong Kong MPF contribution review is under way for the first time in more than a decade as authorities assess whether current income thresholds still reflect economic realities. MPF Schemes Authority chairwoman Ayesha Macpherson Lau said the minimum monthly income level of HKD7,100(USD910) and maximum threshold of HKD30,000(USD3,840) no longer reflect rising wages and living costs. The authority has consulted more than 30 stakeholder groups and plans to submit recommendations

China female fund managers have risen to 1,110 as of March 6, representing about 26.7% of the country’s 4,150 active mutual fund managers, according to Wind Information data. Funds managed or co‑managed by women totalled RMB18.95tr(USD2.6tr), accounting for 51.06% of industry assets under management. Funds solely managed by women amounted to RMB6.83tr. Data cited by Bloomberg showed the number of China female fund managers increased from 1,088 a year earlier. Over the past ye

Standard Chartered digital assets Asia strategy is expanding with the appointment of Karby Leggett as head of digital assets for Greater China, North Asia, South Asia and ASEAN. Leggett will join the bank’s Digital Assets Centre of Excellence while continuing as global head of the official institutions group under the research division. The bank said the appointment reflects growing institutional interest in tokenised finance, stablecoins and digital‑asset ecosystems. Standar

Hong Kong family office gold hub ambitions may benefit from escalating Middle East tensions as investors consider shifting assets away from the region, analysts said. Market strategist Kenny Tang said Hong Kong could attract funds that might otherwise flow to Dubai, citing the city’s deep capital markets and free capital flows. The Hong Kong family office gold hub strategy follows the government’s latest budget pledging tax incentives for bullion trading, expanded vault capac

Raffles Family Office platform for Asian asset managers will be launched through a venture called Quantive Partners in partnership with wealth-tech firm GoUpscale and consultancy Synpulse. The privacy-first Raffles Family Office platform aims to reduce fragmentation caused by multiple custodians, portfolio tools and data sources while improving data integrity, risk visibility and client engagement. Raffles Family Office will act as anchor partner, GoUpscale will build the res

Chinese lenders Middle East exposure is being reduced as financial firms curb lending risks linked to the escalating Iran conflict, Bloomberg News reported citing people familiar with the matter. One major Chinese bank has restricted drawdowns on a bilateral loan to an Abu Dhabi government-linked financial institution, while a mid-sized lender is seeking buyers for parts of syndicated loans to Middle Eastern borrowers. Asian and Chinese banks extended more than USD15bn of loa

Hong Kong family office tax exemptions could widen as authorities seek to strengthen the city’s position as a global wealth hub. Financial Services and the Treasury Secretary Christopher Hui said the government plans to expand profits-tax exemptions for eligible family offices and funds to include assets such as private credit, gold and commodities, carbon credits, insurance-linked securities and certain digital assets. The Hong Kong family office tax exemptions proposal will

Hong Kong independent wealth managers model changes are accelerating as private banks tighten compliance requirements and ultra‑rich clients demand broader advisory expertise. Industry executives ahead of the Hubbis Independent Wealth Management Forum Hong Kong 2026 said banks are institutionalising client relationships with heavier onboarding including source‑of‑wealth checks. The Hong Kong independent wealth managers model shift reflects growing demand from families for gov

Hong Kong MPF gold ETF investment may become possible as the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority studies expanding permitted asset classes. Chair Ayesha Macpherson Lau said regulators are reviewing whether MPF schemes can invest in gold exchange‑traded funds as Hong Kong seeks to develop a gold trading hub. The Hong Kong MPF gold ETF proposal follows a completed review of REIT investments including those listed in Shanghai and Shenzhen, while the eMPF platform rollout

Asian banks Gulf lending exposure is facing renewed uncertainty as escalating tensions linked to Iran raise risks for financing activity in the Middle East, Bloomberg reported. Asian and Chinese banks extended more than USD15bn of loans to the region last year, triple the previous year, with most funding directed to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Analysts said some lenders may take a wait‑and‑see approach or demand higher pricing rather than exit deals if tensions remain contained

Hong Kong investment immigration scheme demand is rising as the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme received 3,166 applications implying about HKD95bn (USD12.2bn) of investment commitments, Invest Hong Kong said. More than 1,760 applicants have completed investments and obtained formal approval from the Immigration Department. Nearly 40% of deployed capital, or HKD21.4bn, went into Securities and Futures Commission‑approved funds while HKD16.1bn or 29% was invested in equit

Hong Kong Shanghai digital trade finance cooperation advanced after the two cities signed a memorandum of understanding to research digital technologies for cross‑border trade and cargo data integration. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority said partners will study electronic bills of lading and test digital solutions under Project Ensemble. The Hong Kong Shanghai digital trade finance initiative involves the Shanghai Data Bureau and the National Technology Innovation Center for

HSBC Singapore wealth centre expansion continues after the bank opened its fourth and largest facility in the city‑state, adding a 7,884‑sq‑ft site with 14 meeting rooms at Singapore Land Tower. The HSBC Singapore wealth centre will serve Premier Elite customers launched in 2024 for clients with at least SGD1.2m (USD1m) in relationship balances. HSBC said the facility is part of a broader upgrade of its Singapore network and wealth proposition as the lender deepens its focus

The Financial Services Development Council welcomed the Hong Kong budget Finance+ agenda, saying measures in the 2026-27 Budget will deepen market liquidity and strengthen the city’s role as a global financial centre and international gateway for cross-border capital. Chairman Benjamin Hung said the multipronged approach supports building a fuller debt market and a more efficient yield curve, while executive director Rocky Tung praised plans to modernise capital markets, incl

Singapore dividends 2025 reached a record USD18.7bn, up 19.1% from a year earlier, helped by bank special dividends and higher payouts, Capital Group said in its Global Equity Study. Global dividends also rose 7% to a record USD2.09tr, the report said. Capital Group noted Singapore’s top-line growth was lifted by one-offs, while core growth was more modest, and said banks’ special dividends reflected strong capital positions. Jeik Sohn, head of client group for Southeast Asia