Asia First

AF Website - New header AD 18 Nov 2024.jpg

TOP NEWS

HKRSA & MPF – then, now and the future. A personal reflection from Jonathan Watkin

With the 30 year Anniversary this year of the formation of Hong Kong Retirement Schemes Association, it is a good time to reflect on the past achievements and the future. It is also just over 25 years since the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) commenced. When I first started out in superannuation, working for an employee benefits consultancy, Alexander Consulting Group (later part of AON), a Hong Kong Chinese student at Macquarie University in Australia where I was enrolled on

35 minutes ago

The Missing Layer in Family Office Investing (1)

ESG-AI Governance for Family Offices and Wealth Managers A weekly series published in partnership with AsiaFirst The Gap Nobody Is Pricing In by Alfons Futterer How an ungoverned AI and ESG blind spot is quietly eroding returns in private portfolios — and why most family offices have not yet noticed. Eighty-six percent of family offices are now using AI in their operations. Sixty-five percent plan to increase AI as a strategic priority in their portfolios. And yet, in a recen

FAMILY OFFICES

4 days ago

China Family Office Wealth Transfer Wave to Reach USD2.8tr

Family offices in China are shifting from rapid expansion towards higher-quality development as the country prepares for what industry executives describe as the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in its history. The China family office wealth transfer wave is expected to involve more than RMB20tr (USD2.8tr) over the next decade, according to a white paper released by WRISE Group and research firm Puyi Standard. WRISE said the China family office wealth transfer trend

FAMILY OFFICES

4 hours ago

China Asset Investment Appetite Rises Among Global Investors

Global investors are showing renewed interest in Chinese assets as rapid technological advances and lower valuations draw attention back to the world’s second-largest economy, according to JPMorgan research. The China asset investment survey found that 57% of investors were considering exposure to China, up from 51% a year earlier. Kwang Kam Shing, JPMorgan’s chairwoman for North Asia, said foreign investment allocations into Hong Kong and mainland China remain historically l

ASSET MANAGEMENT

5 hours ago

Hong Kong Gold Clearing Plan Moves Ahead of Singapore

Hong Kong plans to launch a new gold-clearing system by July, moving ahead of Singapore in the race to become Asia’s leading bullion trading hub. The Hong Kong gold clearing initiative is expected to improve liquidity and strengthen the city’s role in regional gold pricing, supported by large bullion flows linked to mainland China, the world’s largest gold consumer. Hong Kong is also expanding its bullion infrastructure. SF Holding plans to develop a vault near the airport, w

ASSET MANAGEMENT

5 hours ago

Singapore Finance AI Jobs Concerns Rise Among Professionals, ACCA Says

Finance professionals in Singapore are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools at work even as many remain concerned about the long-term impact on employment, according to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. The Singapore finance AI jobs survey found that 51% of respondents regularly use AI technologies, while 48% worry the technology could affect their careers. Despite those concerns, 81% said they remain confident in their ability to learn and apply

TECHNOLOGY

5 hours ago

Hong Kong Wealth Hub Rise Over Switzerland Seen as “Milestone, Not Finish Line”

Hong Kong’s Financial Services Development Council said the city’s rise above Switzerland as the world’s leading booking centre for cross-border wealth represents an important achievement but not the endpoint of its ambitions as an international financial centre. The Hong Kong wealth hub assessment follows findings in Boston Consulting Group’s 2026 Global Wealth Report highlighting the shift. FSDC executive director Rocky Tung said the Hong Kong wealth hub remains well positi

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

3 days ago

Moonfare Family Office Demand Drives APAC Private Markets Growth

Family offices in Australia and Singapore are driving rapid regional expansion for Moonfare, with assets on the private markets platform increasing around 2.5 times during 2025, according to regional head Adam Banks. The Moonfare family office demand trend has helped make Asia Pacific the company’s fastest-growing region globally, while Australia has become its fastest-growing individual market worldwide. The Berlin-based platform gives accredited and institutional investors

FAMILY OFFICES

3 days ago

VIDEO RECAP
w/e

29th May 2026

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

HSBC Taiwan Private Banking Names Edward Chiu for Key Role

4 days ago

Howden Names New Hong Kong CEO as Asia Expansion Continues

May 18

Singapore Reappoints Gan Kim Yong as MAS Chairman

May 15

LGT Appoints Ex-Stanchart Thailand CEO to Expand Wealth Management for Thai Families

May 15

South Korea Keeps BIS Board Seat as Shin Begins Three-Year Term

May 14

HKMA Reshuffles Five Executive Director Roles in Leadership Planning

May 12

UBS Reshuffles Southeast Asia Wealth Management Leadership Team

May 11

Banks Strengthen Hong Kong Corporate Banking Leadership

May 6

Southeast Asia Private Banking Expansion Strengthens as Lombard Odier Hires DBS Veteran

May 1

Family Office Advisory Demand Rises as Bank of Singapore Expands Team

Apr 30

Singapore Q1 GDP Beats Estimates as AI Exports Boost Growth

Singapore’s economy grew 6% year on year in the first quarter of 2026, beating an earlier official estimate of 4.6%, supported by wholesale trade, manufacturing and finance as artificial intelligence-related demand boosted exports. The Singapore Q1 GDP figures also showed the economy expanded 1% quarter on quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, reversing an advance estimate of a 0.3% contraction. The Ministry of Trade and Industry maintained its 2026 growth forecast at betwe

ECONOMY

6 days ago

Hong Kong Re-Domiciliation Regime Approves 36 Company Applications

Hong Kong has approved 36 company re-domiciliation applications since launching the regime nearly a year ago, according to the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau. The Hong Kong re-domiciliation regime was introduced to attract overseas-incorporated companies seeking to relocate their legal domicile to the city while maintaining operational continuity. Authorities said another 21 applications are currently being processed by the Companies Registry. The approved compani

REGULATION

6 days ago

Asian Family Offices UK Investment Focus Grows at Singapore Forum

Asian family offices explored investment opportunities in Britain during the recent Coutts Family Office Forum in Singapore as the UK intensified efforts to attract capital from wealthy investors across Asia-Pacific. The Asian family offices UK discussions focused on cross-border investment opportunities, wealth management expertise and partnerships between Britain and Asia’s expanding private wealth sector. Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, said

FAMILY OFFICES

6 days ago

HSBC Hong Kong Wealth Push Targets 7.5m Clients

HSBC is targeting growth in its Hong Kong customer base to 7.5 million, roughly matching the city’s population, as the bank accelerates expansion of its wealth management operations and seeks to attract more international investors. The HSBC Hong Kong wealth strategy follows the addition of nearly two million customers during the past two years, bringing total customers to seven million at the end of 2025. Hong Kong chief executive Maggie Ng said the city’s role as a wealth m

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

6 days ago

Hong Kong Luxury Wealth Centres Expand as Banks Chase Rich Clients

Hong Kong banks are opening more luxury wealth centres in premium commercial locations as competition intensifies for high-net-worth and family office clients amid lower interest rates and rising demand for fee-based advisory income. The Hong Kong luxury wealth centres expansion reflects a wider shift away from traditional branch banking towards exclusive advisory venues tailored for affluent customers. HSBC recently opened its fifth Hong Kong luxury wealth centres location a

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

6 days ago

Singapore Wealth Advisory Centre Opens at Ngee Ann City

Singapore-based financial advisory firm PFPFA has opened a new Singapore wealth advisory centre at Ngee Ann City as it expands services focused on wealth preservation, succession planning and legacy advisory for affluent families and high-net-worth individuals. The Singapore wealth advisory centre, branded as the PFP Signature Centre, is located in Orchard Road and will provide private consultations covering investment advisory, estate planning, insurance structuring and inte

FAMILY OFFICES

7 days ago

ALL NEWS

TOP NEWS

HKRSA & MPF – then, now and the future. A personal reflection from Jonathan Watkin

The Missing Layer in Family Office Investing (1)

China Family Office Wealth Transfer Wave to Reach USD2.8tr

China Asset Investment Appetite Rises Among Global Investors

Hong Kong Gold Clearing Plan Moves Ahead of Singapore

Singapore Finance AI Jobs Concerns Rise Among Professionals, ACCA Says

Hong Kong Wealth Hub Rise Over Switzerland Seen as “Milestone, Not Finish Line”

Moonfare Family Office Demand Drives APAC Private Markets Growth

VIDEO RECAP w/e

29th May 2026

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

HSBC Taiwan Private Banking Names Edward Chiu for Key Role

Howden Names New Hong Kong CEO as Asia Expansion Continues

Singapore Reappoints Gan Kim Yong as MAS Chairman

LGT Appoints Ex-Stanchart Thailand CEO to Expand Wealth Management for Thai Families

South Korea Keeps BIS Board Seat as Shin Begins Three-Year Term

HKMA Reshuffles Five Executive Director Roles in Leadership Planning

UBS Reshuffles Southeast Asia Wealth Management Leadership Team

Banks Strengthen Hong Kong Corporate Banking Leadership

Southeast Asia Private Banking Expansion Strengthens as Lombard Odier Hires DBS Veteran

Family Office Advisory Demand Rises as Bank of Singapore Expands Team

Singapore Q1 GDP Beats Estimates as AI Exports Boost Growth

Hong Kong Re-Domiciliation Regime Approves 36 Company Applications

Asian Family Offices UK Investment Focus Grows at Singapore Forum

HSBC Hong Kong Wealth Push Targets 7.5m Clients

Hong Kong Luxury Wealth Centres Expand as Banks Chase Rich Clients

Singapore Wealth Advisory Centre Opens at Ngee Ann City

VIDEO RECAP
w/e