The proposed South Korea T+1 settlement transition may be too rapid for international financial institutions to implement safely, according to foreign investment banks consulted by regulators. South Korea is considering shortening its equity settlement cycle from two business days after execution to one, with an implementation period of only eight to nine months. Foreign banks said comparable transitions generally require at least 18 months of preparation. The Financial Servi

ASEAN infrastructure investment should be driven by private capital and commercial discipline, supported by predictable government policies and deeper regional integration, according to Singapore Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Defence Chan Chun Sing. Speaking at the ASEAN & Asia Forum, Chan said investors choose Singapore for its consistent delivery and global connectivity rather than the size of its domestic market. Policy certainty is particularly important f

Hong Kong SME credit conditions remained broadly stable during the second quarter of 2026, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's latest survey of small and medium-sized businesses. Excluding respondents who were uncertain about banks' lending stance, 78% viewed credit approval conditions as similar to or easier than six months earlier, up from 73% in the first quarter. The proportion reporting more difficult conditions declined to 22%. Among SMEs with existing credi

China and Hong Kong capital markets cooperation is set to deepen through new measures supporting cross-border listings, offshore yuan products and faster exchange-traded fund approvals. The Securities and Futures Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission said eligible mainland companies would continue receiving support for Hong Kong listings, while qualifying Hong Kong-listed firms could seek listings on mainland exchanges. Hong Kong companies may also issue b

The ASEAN and China free trade agreement is expected to be upgraded by the end of 2026 as both sides seek to deepen cooperation in digital trade, green commerce and regional supply chains. Officials attending the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee meeting discussed completing negotiations on ACFTA 3.0 before a leaders' summit scheduled for November. The revised framework will introduce new commitments covering digital trade, environmental goods and services, and

Kaohsiung family offices are playing an increasingly important role in Taiwan's ambition to become a leading Asian asset management centre, with banks in the city's financial zone now advising 189 family offices. The Financial Supervisory Commission said these family offices oversee NTD91.5bn (USD2.8bn) in assets. During the zone's first year, 57 financial institutions, including banks, insurers and investment firms, established operations. Banks are also serving 427 wealth m

South Korea leveraged ETFs could face further restrictions as regulators seek to reduce market volatility and strengthen protection for retail investors. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and senior financial officials recently discussed proposals that could limit single-stock leveraged exchange-traded funds to 20% of an individual's investment portfolio. Officials said these products had contributed to heightened market volatility and agreed that further safeguards should be in

A major Vietnam capital markets reform programme aims to expand outstanding bonds to around 60% of gross domestic product by 2045 while making capital markets a significantly larger source of long-term financing. Under Decision 1413/QD-TTg, Vietnam will tighten credit-rating requirements, broaden bond products and modernise market infrastructure after outstanding bonds reached around 34% of GDP during 2025, below earlier targets. Planned reforms include infrastructure, ESG an

The KPay Singapore licence application has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, allowing the fintech company to move closer to expanding regulated payment services. Subject to satisfying MAS conditions and obtaining final approval, KPay Merchant Service Singapore will be authorised to provide merchant acquisition, domestic money transfers and cross-border transfer services under a major payment institution licence. KPay already serves more

Proposed Philippines tax reforms covering workers, small businesses and energy costs have become central to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s final legislative push. In his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcos urged Congress to exempt employees earning up to PHP350,000 (USD5,679) annually from income tax, remove the minimum corporate income tax for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and approve a one-time tax amnesty. He also called for amendments to the Electric P

New Singapore sustainability reporting standards have been proposed by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, combining mandatory climate disclosures with voluntary reporting on broader sustainability matters. The draft Singapore Sustainability Disclosure Standards are based on the International Sustainability Standards Board’s S1 and S2 frameworks. Climate-related disclosures aligned with S2 would be compulsory, while the wider S1 sustainability requirements woul

Singapore investment tax cuts are under consideration as Hong Kong strengthens its appeal to global fund managers, private equity firms and family offices while attracting senior finance professionals back to the city. The Monetary Authority of Singapore is consulting the investment industry about possible reductions amid concern that Hong Kong’s proposed reforms could improve its competitiveness. Hong Kong plans to broaden the definition of investment funds, ease tax exempti

The HKMA quantum readiness programme aims to prepare Hong Kong’s banking sector fully for quantum-related cybersecurity risks by 2030 after the regulator’s first industry index revealed limited progress. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Quantum Preparedness Index scored the banking sector at just 2.3 out of 10. Around 68% of surveyed banks had reached the awareness, planning or pilot stage, while 32% had yet to begin preparing for the transition. Approximately half lacked a

Malaysia economic growth is expected to remain near the upper end of the central bank’s 4% to 5% forecast range despite higher energy costs linked to conflict in the Middle East. Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said domestic momentum remained resilient and inflation was manageable, although global uncertainty and elevated fuel prices continued to create risks. The central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75% in July for a sixth consecu

Singapore fund managers could face increasing competitive pressure unless tax incentives are strengthened, with the Alternative Investment Management Association warning that portfolio managers and investment professionals are actively considering relocating to Hong Kong and other lower-tax jurisdictions. In a letter to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, AIMA said the trend extended beyond isolated cases, with member firms holding active discussions about relocating staff w

Further Thailand investment reforms are needed if the country is to attract greater European investment, according to the EU-Asean Business Council, despite continued interest from international companies in expanding operations. Vice-chair Noel Clehane identified life sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, low-carbon industries, financial services and consumer products as sectors with significant investment potential. A 2025 survey found that 57% of European busine

Singapore family offices could benefit from revised investment incentives as the Monetary Authority of Singapore reviews tax concessions while Hong Kong expands measures to attract global wealth managers. According to the Financial Times, the MAS is considering changes to its 10% fund manager tax concession and additional measures to reduce operating costs for investment funds. The review comes as Hong Kong proposes broader preferential tax treatment covering funds, family-ow

A review of HKEX trading hours could significantly extend access to Hong Kong's equity market as the exchange explores earlier openings, continuous daytime trading and a new evening session to improve international competitiveness. According to Bloomberg, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is considering beginning cash equity trading at 9 a.m., eliminating the existing one-hour lunch break and introducing an after-hours trading session between 8 p.m. and midnight. The tradition

New South Korea leveraged ETFs are facing tighter regulatory controls after the Financial Supervisory Service ordered asset managers to halt advertising for domestically listed single-stock leveraged and inverse exchange-traded funds with immediate effect. The directive follows broader investor protection measures requiring buyers to deposit at least KRW30m (USD20,291), purchase a minimum of 20 shares and complete three hours of mandatory education before trading the products

The KWAP eFishery investment has prompted Malaysia's Retirement Fund Inc to pursue legal action and seek recovery of invested capital after the Finance Ministry described the Indonesian aquaculture company's collapse as the result of a "well-planned fraud". In a parliamentary reply, the ministry said KWAP and other investors had begun legal proceedings while reviewing governance, monitoring and investment oversight procedures. Officials stressed that the pension fund had foll