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TOP NEWS

UBS Targets Family Offices with USD5m Institutional Funds Programme

The UBS family office funds programme is giving wealthy Asian investors access to strategies typically reserved for institutions, with a minimum overall commitment of USD5m. The Exclusive Manager Access Fund Program will initially launch in Singapore and Hong Kong before expanding to Taiwan, targeting high-net-worth individuals, ultra-high-net-worth investors and family offices. Clients must allocate at least USD500,000 to each underlying fund. The programme will begin with s

FAMILY OFFICES

6 hours ago

FOCUS

4 September 2026

A Billion-Dollar Sale Can Still Leave the Family Short of Cash

The deal headline is not the usable bank balance. A liquidity waterfall shows what has arrived, what remains restricted and what is already promised.

VIDEO RECAP
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04th Sep 2026

OCBC Rally Lifts Lee Family Fortune to USD13.8bn

The OCBC Lee family fortune has risen to USD13.8bn as shares in the Singapore bank nearly doubled over the past year, supported partly by expansion of its wealth-management business. The family, whose largest asset is its OCBC holding, ranked fourth among Singapore’s wealthiest and recorded the largest increase in both absolute and percentage terms. OCBC’s wealth-management business grew 11% in the first quarter and accounted for 39% of total revenue. The bank has been expand

FAMILY OFFICES

6 hours ago

Barclays Targets Family Offices with Singapore Private Bank Booking Centre

Barclays Singapore private bank capabilities are expanding with the launch of a new booking centre aimed at family offices and ultra-high-net-worth clients across Asia. The move marks Barclays’ return to an onshore private banking booking model in Singapore, around a decade after the British lender sold its regional private banking business to OCBC. The centre combines local booking capabilities with Barclays’ international network, giving clients access to banking, lending,

FAMILY OFFICES

6 hours ago

Standard Chartered Raises Taiwan Growth Forecast to 11.5%

The Taiwan growth forecast 2026 has been raised by Standard Chartered to 11.5% from 9.5% after stronger-than-expected second-quarter expansion, robust AI-related exports and improving domestic demand. The bank also lifted its 2027 growth estimate to 6.5% from 5%, above government forecasts of 11.05% and 6.04%, respectively. Senior economist Tommy Wu said growth was likely to slow sharply from the fourth quarter as high base effects weighed on export comparisons. However, a su

ECONOMY

6 hours ago

Hong Kong Ranks Fifth in Asia-Pacific Living Investment

Hong Kong living investment ranked fifth among Asia-Pacific markets after attracting 24 student-housing conversion deals worth USD1.63bn since 2021, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Ten transactions valued at USD739.9m were completed during the first seven months of 2026, supported by accommodation shortages and continued growth in the student population. The APAC Living Investor Survey 2026 found that 90% of respondents were considering repositioning or change-of-use invest

ASSET MANAGEMENT

3 days ago

Japan Pension Funds Increase Interest in Domestic Bonds as Rates Rise

Japan pension funds domestic bonds allocations are drawing renewed interest as defined-benefit schemes prepare for faster interest-rate increases by the Bank of Japan. A J.P. Morgan Asset Management survey of 82 funds conducted between April and June found that 10% planned to increase domestic bond holdings, representing the strongest appetite for the asset class since 2008. Overall domestic bond allocations remained broadly stable at 14.3%, although 62% of respondents were r

ASSET MANAGEMENT

3 days ago

South Korea Finance Nominee Backs Stronger Capital Market Discipline

South Korea capital market reform will be a priority for finance minister nominee Lee Hyung-il as he seeks to address the “Korea discount” and strengthen corporate governance. Lee, currently first vice finance minister, outlined plans to revive potential growth, reduce economic inequality and advance market reforms ahead of his parliamentary confirmation hearing. He said the government would accelerate three national projects, promote regional growth hubs and increase investm

ECONOMY

3 days ago

Singapore Directors Told to Account for Climate-Related Financial Risks

Singapore climate financial risks must be reflected in company accounts where they are material, despite extended timelines for some sustainability disclosures, according to guidance from the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority. Directors remain responsible under the Companies Act for ensuring financial statements provide a true and fair view of a company’s financial position and performance. Climate-related factors could affect asset valuations, useful lives, depre

REGULATION

3 days ago

Asia-Pacific Family Offices Deepen Sustainable Investment Exposure

Asia-Pacific family office sustainable investment exposure is increasing as more wealthy families and asset owners allocate substantial portions of portfolios to impact and environmental, social and governance strategies. A Sustainable Finance Initiative survey found that 27% of respondents allocated more than half of their assets to impact and ESG investments in 2026, up from 17% in 2025. The Hong Kong-based organisation surveyed 121 family office representatives and princip

FAMILY OFFICES

4 days ago

Hong Kong Remains Asia’s Leading Billionaire Hub

Hong Kong billionaire hub status remains firmly established after the city retained its position as the world’s second-largest billionaire centre in 2025, according to Altrata’s Billionaire Census 2026. Hong Kong had 106 billionaires, two fewer than a year earlier, but their combined wealth continued rising to USD319bn. Property-sector weakness and relatively limited exposure to artificial intelligence-related gains weighed on the city’s billionaire population. New York remai

FAMILY OFFICES

4 days ago

Malaysia Forest City Offers 5% Tax Rate to Fintech Firms

The Forest City fintech tax incentive will give eligible financial technology companies and related service providers access to a 5% corporate tax rate in Malaysia’s Forest City Special Financial Zone. The incentive is available for 10 years and may be extended for a further decade, subject to approval and continued compliance. Eligible businesses include fintech companies, financial global business services providers and foreign payment system operators. Qualifying activitie

REGULATION

4 days ago

Chinese State-Owned Banks Post Coordinated Profit Recovery

Chinese state-owned banks profits recovered simultaneously in the first half for the first time since 2022 as revenue increased and net interest margins showed early signs of stabilisation. ICBC, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, Bank of Communications and Postal Savings Bank of China generated more than RMB2tr (USD297bn) in combined revenue and around RMB712.6bn in attributable profit. Revenue increased by between 4% and 11%, while profit ro

ECONOMY

4 days ago

Asian Business Families Turn to Hong Kong for Succession Planning

Hong Kong family office succession services are attracting Asian business-owning families seeking a base for governance, investment management and generational wealth transfer. Advisers say founder-led businesses increasingly want to separate operating capital from family wealth, while internationally dispersed families are looking for an Asian hub capable of supporting assets and heirs across multiple jurisdictions. Hong Kong had 3,380 single-family offices at the end of 202

FAMILY OFFICES

5 days ago

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

Raffles Family Office Names Ken Peng as First CIO

7 days ago

Singapore Family Office Legal Services Expand with New Boutique Firm

Aug 28

B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment

Aug 18

Hong Kong Finance Talent Returns as Capital Markets Recover

Aug 17

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

Amova Plans Vietnam Asset Management Joint Venture with BIDV Securities

Amova Vietnam asset management expansion is moving ahead through a proposed joint venture with BIDV Securities as the Japanese investment manager strengthens its Southeast Asian presence. The planned company, BSC Amova Asset Management, will serve individual and institutional investors by combining BIDV and its securities unit’s domestic customer base and local market expertise with Amova’s international investment capabilities. Establishment of the venture remains subject to

ASSET MANAGEMENT

5 days ago

South Korea Mandates Trading Courses for Leveraged ETF Investors

New South Korea leveraged ETF rules require investors to complete simulated-trading courses before buying leveraged exchange-traded funds as regulators seek to curb speculative activity. The measures particularly affect products linked to major technology stocks including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Trading volume in the affected products has fallen to around 4% of its June peak, while the ETFs recorded USD1bn of outflows in August, putting them on course for their firs

REGULATION

5 days ago

Singapore and Indonesia Enable Direct Settlement in Local Currencies

Singapore Indonesia local currency settlement is now operational, allowing trade, direct investment and cross-border payments between the two markets to be conducted directly in Singapore dollars and Indonesian rupiah. The framework, launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Bank Indonesia, is designed to reduce foreign-exchange risks and transaction costs while encouraging broader use of regional currencies. Appointed cross-currency dealers will facilitate settleme

REGULATION

5 days ago

Vietnam Fund Management Assets Reach USD32bn as Industry Expands

Vietnam fund management assets have reached more than VND846tr (USD32bn) as the industry takes a larger role in supplying long-term capital and supporting development of the country’s institutional investor base. At the end of June, 43 fund managers and 142 investment funds were operating in the market. Assets under management had increased 6.8 times from 2015, representing annual growth of more than 20%. Despite that expansion, managed assets remain equivalent to only around

ASSET MANAGEMENT

7 days ago

Raffles Family Office Names Ken Peng as First CIO

Raffles Family Office CIO responsibilities will be assumed by Citi Private Bank veteran Ken Peng following his appointment as the multi-family office’s first chief investment officer. Peng will be based in Hong Kong and report to group CEO Chi Man Kwan. He will lead the firm’s investment function, shape overall investment strategy and provide stakeholders with views on macroeconomic developments, investment themes and portfolio sustainability. He brings more than 20 years of

FAMILY OFFICES

7 days ago

FSB Warns Financial Sector Is Unprepared for Advanced AI Risks

FSB AI financial risks are increasing as advanced artificial intelligence changes the speed, scale and cost of cyberattacks, Financial Stability Board Chair Andrew Bailey has warned. In a letter to G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, Bailey said many jurisdictions lacked sufficiently developed systems to manage the deployment of advanced AI. He identified AI-driven cyber threats as the most immediate concern, warning that financial institutions’ dependence on a

REGULATION

7 days ago

ALL NEWS

TOP NEWS

UBS Targets Family Offices with USD5m Institutional Funds Programme

VIDEO RECAP w/e

04th Sep 2026

OCBC Rally Lifts Lee Family Fortune to USD13.8bn

Barclays Targets Family Offices with Singapore Private Bank Booking Centre

Standard Chartered Raises Taiwan Growth Forecast to 11.5%

Hong Kong Ranks Fifth in Asia-Pacific Living Investment

Japan Pension Funds Increase Interest in Domestic Bonds as Rates Rise

South Korea Finance Nominee Backs Stronger Capital Market Discipline

Singapore Directors Told to Account for Climate-Related Financial Risks

Asia-Pacific Family Offices Deepen Sustainable Investment Exposure

Hong Kong Remains Asia’s Leading Billionaire Hub

Malaysia Forest City Offers 5% Tax Rate to Fintech Firms

Chinese State-Owned Banks Post Coordinated Profit Recovery

Asian Business Families Turn to Hong Kong for Succession Planning

EVENTS

INSIGHTS

PEOPLE MOVES

Raffles Family Office Names Ken Peng as First CIO

Singapore Family Office Legal Services Expand with New Boutique Firm

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

Amova Plans Vietnam Asset Management Joint Venture with BIDV Securities

South Korea Mandates Trading Courses for Leveraged ETF Investors

Singapore and Indonesia Enable Direct Settlement in Local Currencies

Vietnam Fund Management Assets Reach USD32bn as Industry Expands

Raffles Family Office Names Ken Peng as First CIO

FSB Warns Financial Sector Is Unprepared for Advanced AI Risks

VIDEO RECAP
w/e