Asia First

AF Website - New header AD 18 Nov 2024.jpg

TOP NEWS

Hong Kong Limited Partnership Funds Surpass 2,000 Registrations

Hong Kong limited partnership funds have surpassed 2,000 registrations, marking a significant milestone for a regime designed to attract private equity, venture capital and other alternative investment vehicles. The government said the threshold was passed on Aug. 13, with registrations up 63% year on year at the end of July. The limited partnership fund framework was introduced in August 2020 to provide an onshore structure tailored to private funds. Hong Kong added a re-dom

PRIVATE EQUITY

2 hours ago

FOCUS

31 July 2026

New CIES Opens the Door. Who Owns the Client After Arrival?

A CIES applicant has an immigration and investment process to complete. Tax, banking, reporting, estate-planning, governance or family-office mandates do not follow automatically.

VIDEO RECAP
w/e

14th Aug 2026

Asia Wealth Transfer Drives Singapore Banks to Court Next Generation

The coming Asia wealth transfer is encouraging Singapore banks and wealth managers to build relationships with the children of affluent clients well before family assets change hands. DBS, UOB and OCBC now operate three- to four-day programmes covering investing, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development for younger members of wealthy families. UOB’s sixth PriviGen programme attracted 63 participants aged between 18 and 25 from Singapore and Southeast Asia, while

FAMILY OFFICES

2 hours ago

Hong Kong Treasury Centre Tax Proposals Generate New Corporate Interest

Proposed Hong Kong treasury centre tax reforms are generating one to two enquiries a month as companies assess whether enhanced concessions could make the city more competitive with Singapore, according to PwC. The government consultation proposes expanding tax deductions for interest expenses to cover a broader range of corporations, bringing Hong Kong’s corporate treasury framework closer to Singapore’s arrangements. The measures form part of wider efforts to reinforce the

REGULATION

2 hours ago

Japan Q2 GDP Misses Forecasts as Consumption and Investment Stall

Japan Q2 GDP expanded more slowly than expected as weak household spending and declining business investment complicated the Bank of Japan’s assessment of when to raise interest rates. The economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.1% during the second quarter, down from 1.9% in the previous three months and below economists’ 2% forecast. Nevertheless, Japan recorded a third consecutive quarter of expansion. Capital expenditure fell 1.2% from the previous quarter, compared with

ECONOMY

2 hours ago

Singapore Business Sentiment Recovers but Cost Pressures Persist

Singapore business sentiment improved during the second quarter as cost expectations eased, although companies remained cautious about expansion, recruitment and the wider economic outlook. The Singapore Business Federation’s Business Sentiment Index rose two points to 53.3 for April to June, almost reversing the previous quarter’s decline but still indicating broadly neutral conditions. Banking and insurance, health and social services were among the most optimistic sectors,

ECONOMY

1 day ago

Prosper Family Office Hong Kong Presence Expands with New Office

Prosper Family Office Hong Kong operations have expanded with the opening of a new Tsim Sha Tsui office as affluent families seek more integrated succession planning and governance services. The multi-family office opened the premises on Aug. 12, with around 150 representatives from banking, asset management, trust, legal and accounting firms attending the ceremony. Prosper coordinates wealth structuring, trusts, succession planning, family governance and next-generation educ

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Korea Investment Holdings Targets KDB Life Insurance in Diversification Deal

The Korea Investment Holdings KDB Life deal could give the brokerage-led financial group its first foothold in insurance after Korea Development Bank selected it as preferred bidder for a 99.75% stake in KDB Life Insurance. The transaction covers 116.32 million shares, although the purchase price has not been disclosed. Korea Investment Holdings is seeking to diversify earnings beyond securities and gain access to a more stable, long-term funding source through insurance prem

ASSET MANAGEMENT

2 days ago

B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment

B2C2 family office expansion across Asia-Pacific is being strengthened through the appointment of former Schroders Wealth Management Asia chairman Jason Lai as senior adviser in Singapore. Lai founded wealth manager Thirdrock Group in 2009 and became chief executive of Schroders’ Asian wealth business after the FTSE 100 company acquired Thirdrock in 2019. He subsequently served as chairman before retiring in 2026. B2C2 said Lai will help deepen relationships with family offic

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Singapore Family Office Tax Rules Eased as Wealth Checks Tighten

Singapore family office tax rules have been relaxed to provide greater operational flexibility while stronger checks are introduced on the origins of family wealth. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said revised conditions for single-family office funds took effect on Aug. 1. Applicants will receive more time to recruit investment professionals and greater flexibility in meeting requirements covering local expenditure and capital deployment. MAS has also removed continuous

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Kuala Lumpur Family Office Hub Expands as Marvel Capital Opens Regional Office

The Kuala Lumpur family office hub is gaining another regional wealth platform after Marvel Capital Holdings opened an office to expand private trust, wealth structuring and succession services across Asia. Located at Mercu Aspire in KL Eco City, the new operation will provide services covering succession planning, wealth protection, insurance and cross-border family office structures for affluent families and business owners. Managing Director Jayden Wong said demand is incr

FAMILY OFFICES

2 days ago

Hong Kong Finance Talent Returns as Capital Markets Recover

Hong Kong finance talent is returning as stronger capital markets, recovering initial public offerings and increased investment activity revive hiring across financial services. Robert Walters Hong Kong Managing Director John Mullally said interest from overseas candidates has improved significantly from pandemic-era levels, with recruitment rising moderately during the past six to 12 months. Hong Kong's stronger equity market and IPO recovery have supported demand for profes

PEOPLE MOVES

2 days ago

Hong Kong HNWI Travel Overtakes Property as Wealthy Residents' Priority

Hong Kong HNWI travel is becoming a greater lifestyle priority than property ownership as affluent residents increasingly value experiences, personal development and early retirement, according to Standard Chartered. The bank's Hong Kong Travel Value Report 2026 found that only 24% of respondents ranked purchasing a first or dream home among their major life goals. By comparison, 48% prioritised immersive travel and 49% selected early retirement. Among high-net-worth individu

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

2 days ago

Asia Wealth Flows Rise as Middle East Tensions Drive Diversification

Asia wealth flows are strengthening as escalating Middle East tensions encourage wealthy families and high-net-worth investors to diversify more capital into financial centres such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Bankers and advisers said geopolitical uncertainty has prompted some Gulf-based investors to reconsider regional concentration and increase exposure to Asian markets. Singapore has been a significant beneficiary, with deposits rising SGD66.2bn (USD51.6bn), or 7.2% year o

FAMILY OFFICES

5 days ago

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment

2 days ago

Hong Kong Finance Talent Returns as Capital Markets Recover

2 days ago

China Market Regulator Chief Luo Wen Removed After Hebei Appointment

Aug 12

AI Skills in Finance Overtake MBAs in Hiring Value, PwC Finds

Aug 5

Paragon Family Office Coverage Expands with Senior Partner Appointment

Aug 4

Societe Generale Strengthens Asia Transaction Banking with Joseph Chia Appointment

Jul 31

HSBC Singapore Hiring Adds 200 AI and Wealth Management Roles

Jul 29

RBC Wealth Management Asia Expands with Six Senior Private Banking Hires

Jul 29

Asia Private Equity Faces Executive Talent Shortage as Fundraising Rebounds

Jul 27

UOB Private Bank Hong Kong Appoints Judy Chan to Strengthen Wealth Business

Jul 23

Asset Management Consolidation Accelerates as Firms Scale or Specialise

Asset management consolidation is accelerating as falling fees, rising operating costs and growing demand for private markets force firms to choose between building greater scale or developing highly specialised investment capabilities, according to consultancy Alpha FMC. Institutional management fees have declined by around 3% annually, while passive strategies now account for approximately 39% of investments among the world's largest asset managers, senior partner Chris Kro

ASSET MANAGEMENT

5 days ago

Hong Kong Fund Tax Breaks to Exclude Proprietary Trading Firms

Proposed Hong Kong fund tax breaks for asset managers and family offices will exclude proprietary trading firms because businesses investing their own capital do not meet the government's definition of an investment fund. The clarification potentially excludes firms such as Jane Street, Citadel Securities and Jump Trading from incentives being introduced as Hong Kong competes with Singapore and Dubai for investment managers and financial talent. The government plans to broade

REGULATION

5 days ago

Asia-Pacific Real Estate Investment Rebounds as Global Capital Returns

Asia-Pacific real estate investment strengthened significantly during the second quarter of 2026 as international investors returned to major markets including Japan and Singapore, according to Knight Frank. Commercial property investment rose 31.1% year on year to USD53.5bn, while cross-border investment surged 156.8% to USD12.5bn, representing 23.4% of total regional transaction volumes. Japan attracted USD5bn of international capital, while Singapore received USD3bn, more

ASSET MANAGEMENT

5 days ago

Taiwan Pension Fund External Managers Set for New Global Equity Mandates

Taiwan pension fund external managers are set to receive additional mandates as the Public Service Pension Fund seeks greater exposure to international equity markets. The USD49bn fund could allocate approximately USD200m each to several external managers providing access to overseas markets, according to people familiar with the plans. The final allocation and investment strategies have yet to be determined. Options being considered include passive and index-enhanced investm

ASSET MANAGEMENT

6 days ago

Singapore 2026 GDP Outlook Raised After Strong Second-Quarter Growth

The Singapore 2026 GDP outlook has been raised sharply after stronger-than-expected second-quarter growth and continued artificial intelligence-related investment improved the economic picture. The trade ministry now expects the economy to expand between 4.5% and 5.5% this year, compared with its previous forecast of 2% to 4%. GDP grew 5.9% year on year during the second quarter, taking first-half growth to 6.1%. The ministry said the global surge in AI investment had exceede

ECONOMY

6 days ago

China Offshore Trust Tax Changes Prompt Singapore Wealth Review

China offshore trust tax changes are prompting wealthy mainland families and their advisers to review Singapore-based structures as Beijing strengthens scrutiny of overseas wealth. Rules announced on July 24 reinforce China's ability to tax offshore structures according to an individual's tax residence rather than simply the jurisdiction where assets are held, according to lawyers. Advisers have subsequently received enquiries from high-net-worth families, private banks, trus

FAMILY OFFICES

6 days ago

ALL NEWS

TOP NEWS

Hong Kong Limited Partnership Funds Surpass 2,000 Registrations

VIDEO RECAP w/e

14th Aug 2026

Asia Wealth Transfer Drives Singapore Banks to Court Next Generation

Hong Kong Treasury Centre Tax Proposals Generate New Corporate Interest

Japan Q2 GDP Misses Forecasts as Consumption and Investment Stall

Singapore Business Sentiment Recovers but Cost Pressures Persist

Prosper Family Office Hong Kong Presence Expands with New Office

Korea Investment Holdings Targets KDB Life Insurance in Diversification Deal

B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment

Singapore Family Office Tax Rules Eased as Wealth Checks Tighten

Kuala Lumpur Family Office Hub Expands as Marvel Capital Opens Regional Office

Hong Kong Finance Talent Returns as Capital Markets Recover

Hong Kong HNWI Travel Overtakes Property as Wealthy Residents' Priority

Asia Wealth Flows Rise as Middle East Tensions Drive Diversification

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment

Hong Kong Finance Talent Returns as Capital Markets Recover

China Market Regulator Chief Luo Wen Removed After Hebei Appointment

AI Skills in Finance Overtake MBAs in Hiring Value, PwC Finds

Paragon Family Office Coverage Expands with Senior Partner Appointment

Societe Generale Strengthens Asia Transaction Banking with Joseph Chia Appointment

HSBC Singapore Hiring Adds 200 AI and Wealth Management Roles

RBC Wealth Management Asia Expands with Six Senior Private Banking Hires

Asia Private Equity Faces Executive Talent Shortage as Fundraising Rebounds

UOB Private Bank Hong Kong Appoints Judy Chan to Strengthen Wealth Business

Asset Management Consolidation Accelerates as Firms Scale or Specialise

Hong Kong Fund Tax Breaks to Exclude Proprietary Trading Firms

Asia-Pacific Real Estate Investment Rebounds as Global Capital Returns

Taiwan Pension Fund External Managers Set for New Global Equity Mandates

Singapore 2026 GDP Outlook Raised After Strong Second-Quarter Growth

China Offshore Trust Tax Changes Prompt Singapore Wealth Review

VIDEO RECAP
w/e