Business News

Artificial intelligence (AI) took center stage in Singapore’s 2026 Budget, with the government announcing a comprehensive national strategy to harness AI as a competitive advantage and accelerate transformation across key sectors, including finance. Delivering the Budget statement, Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong unveiled a new set of national “AI Missions” focused on […]

Binance Co-CEO Richard Teng expressed confidence in the long-term outlook for digital assets, emphasizing sustained institutional engagement despite recent market volatility, during a fireside chat at Consensus Hong Kong 2026. Since peaking in October 2025, cryptocurrency markets have experienced a significant correction, with approximately $2 trillion in value erased and Bitcoin trading below $70,000 at […]

Barclays today announced the appointment of Werner Schlossmacher as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Barclays Private Bank Asia. Based in Singapore, he will report to Leo Müller, COO of Barclays Private Bank & Wealth Management. Schlossmacher brings more than 30 years of wealth management experience across Singapore, Hong Kong and Switzerland. He joins Barclays from […]

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has appointed Salim Zaman as Global Head of Foreign Exchange, based in Singapore. Zaman will continue in his current role as Co-Head of Global Markets and Treasury for Asia Pacific. In his expanded position, he will oversee SMBC’s global FX strategy and work with regional leadership teams on the management […]

Securities and Futures Commission Chief Executive Officer Julia Leung said financial institutions must accelerate their adoption of digital assets and emerging technologies to remain competitive as younger investors increasingly dominate the market. Speaking at Consensus Hong Kong 2026, Leung said second- and third-generation investors, including Generation Z, are changing how financial services are consumed. She […]

Hong Kong’s fund industry could expand by adopting token-based finance, according to a white paper published by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Aptos Labs, with contributions from Hang Seng Bank. The report states that Hong Kong could double the size of its fund industry by transitioning from legacy infrastructure to tokenized systems. Findings draw on […]

Taiwan-based KGI has appointed Aaron Long as Managing Director, Wealth Management, as it expands its international business in Hong Kong. Based in Hong Kong, Long reports to James Wey, Head of International Wealth Management. Long joins from HSBC, where he was involved in building the bank’s China wealth management business and served as the inaugural […]

HSBC Singapore has appointed Suzy White to its board, the bank announced. White is currently Group Chief Operating Officer of HSBC. She has spent 25 years with the bank in senior leadership roles across operations, risk, finance and transformation. Her previous positions include Chief Operating Officer for Global Banking and Markets, Regional Chief Operating Officer […]

Basel-based private bank J. Safra Sarasin has appointed Dong Chen as Chief Investment Officer for Asia. Chen joins from Pictet Wealth Management, where he served as Chief Asia Strategist and Head of Asia Research. He brings more than 20 years of experience in macroeconomic research, investment strategy, and asset management. Prior to Pictet, Chen was […]

AIA has appointed Shu Khoo and David Ku as independent non-executive directors, the insurer announced. Shu Khoo currently serves as an independent non-executive director at Shangri-La Asia and as an independent director of CIMB Group. She previously served as AIA’s Group Chief Human Resources Officer from 2011 to 2018. David Ku is Chairman of WeBank. […]

Organisations across Asia are shifting focus from AI adoption to workforce capability as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everyday work, according to workforce data from Singapore-based Epitome Global. The company’s skills assessments, conducted between 2023 and 2025 across Singapore and Malaysia, indicate that workforce readiness is now a critical constraint. While more than 70% of […]

Bangkok will host a series of cultural and retail activities for Chinese New Year from 12–22 February 2026, reinforcing its position as a regional destination during the Lunar New Year travel period. While Songkran is Thailand’s traditional New Year, Lunar New Year is widely observed across the country, reflecting longstanding Thai-Chinese heritage. The period draws […]

VinFast announced its entry into Indonesia’s e-scooter market through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with local dealers, marking the expansion of its electric two-wheeler business into the country. VinFast signed MoUs with K3, Citra Abadi Sedaya, PT Bevos Auto Mandiri, PT Sapta Jaya, MotorArt, PT Sinergies Dua Kawan, and PT HINU. The partners […]

Jakarta – Indonesia implemented a fiscal restructuring programme in 2025 under President Prabowo Subianto, generating an estimated fiscal impact of approximately US$30 billion while maintaining the fiscal deficit within the statutory 3 percent ceiling and keeping government debt at around 40 percent of GDP. The programme focused on expenditure rationalisation, enforcement measures, and recovery of […]

Swissquote, the digital financial services group, has appointed Rafael Weber as Deputy Chief Executive Officer of its Singapore business, further strengthening its leadership team in the region. In his expanded role, Weber will continue to focus on scaling Swissquote’s Singapore operations while overseeing all client relationships, ensuring continuity and the development of long-term partnerships in […]

Standard Chartered has strengthened its discretionary portfolio management (DPM) capabilities in Singapore with the appointment of three new professionals, reinforcing the bank’s continued investment in its wealth management platform. Sylvain Huard has joined the bank as Head of Asset Allocation, reporting to Daniel Furer, Global Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management. Huard brings extensive experience to […]

Singapore | 13 February 2026 — Entrepreneur Asia Summit & Awards 2026, Asia-Pacific’s premier gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders, will take place on 13 February 2026 at The St. Regis Singapore, bringing together an influential mix of founders, CEOs, investors, and ecosystem leaders for a day of high-impact conversations, networking, and recognition. The […]

SLEEK EV, a technology manufacturer focused on electric motorcycles and vehicle electrification, has secured a US$8.5 million first closing of its Series A funding round. The round was led by KYMCO Capital, with participation from January Capital, Krungsri Finnovate, and ORZON Ventures. The investment supports SLEEK EV’s plans to expand operations across Thailand and strengthen […]

Foundation Healthcare Holdings (FHH) and UOB have entered into a strategic partnership to provide tailored banking, insurance, and digital solutions for healthcare providers under the Health Connective Programme. Under the collaboration, more than 650 healthcare providers in the programme will gain access to financial and operational solutions designed to support their day-to-day clinic operations and […]

Singapore, 8 February 2026 — Maybank Singapore has launched the Singapore leg of Maybank Group’s Regional Ramadhan Relief Programme 2026, providing support to 2,500 beneficiaries from lower-income families and seniors ahead of the holy month of Ramadhan. Introduced in 2013, the Regional Ramadhan Relief Programme is a long-running Maybank Group initiative aimed at supporting communities […]

Singapore, 6 February 2026 — Visa cardholders across 23 Asia Pacific countries can now access global messaging through the Travelgoogoo eSIM Travel Club. The partnership between Visa and Travelgoogoo provides 365-day unlimited messaging across 123 countries and members-only rates for high-speed data via a single eSIM. Travelgoogoo has expanded collaborations with financial institutions to extend […]

Acronis today announced that Insightz Technology has been appointed as its first certified Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) partner in Singapore. Under the partnership, Insightz Technology will deliver Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services to managed service providers (MSPs) and their customers using Acronis technology. Insightz Technology was selected based on its experience providing managed […]

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Feb. 4, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VCI Global Limited (NASDAQ: VCIG) (“VCI Global” or the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to dispose of its fintech subsidiary, Credilab Sdn Bhd (“Credilab”), through a management buyout at an enterprise valuation of approximately US$43.74 million, representing 1.1× net tangible assets […]

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has released a blueprint outlining new initiatives to support the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and distributed ledger technologies (DLT) in the financial sector, enabled by high-performance computing infrastructure. The blueprint forms part of HKMA’s Fintech 2030 strategy and focuses on advancing more complex technology use cases within financial […]

Hong Kong — UBS has completed the handover of its new Hong Kong headquarters at the International Gateway Centre in West Kowloon. The 14-storey building will serve as UBS’s Hong Kong headquarters and is expected to consolidate employees currently working across five locations, including Two IFC and One Peking Road, by the fourth quarter of […]

Hong Kong’s initial public offering (IPO) market has kicked off 2026 with exceptional momentum, recording its second-strongest January on record in terms of funds raised, according to market data. In January 2026, 12 companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising a combined US$4.2 billion, based on data from the London Stock Exchange Group […]

William Blair Investment Management, the global active investment management partnership, has opened a new multi-asset trading desk in its Singapore office, strengthening its trading and investment capabilities across Asia Pacific markets. The new trading desk will provide dedicated regional coverage across asset classes, with the objective of enhancing execution capabilities, expanding liquidity access, and delivering […]

London-headquartered fintech firm Revolut plans to triple its workforce in Singapore over the next three years to support product development and regional expansion. The company has already doubled its headcount in Singapore between 2024 and 2025, according to a statement. The expansion is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and its investment arm, […]

Singapore, 2 February 2026 — Tridorian has announced its entry into the United States with the opening of a regional headquarters in Chicago. The expansion follows the company’s growth to US$15.6 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within 24 months, driven by operations in Singapore and Thailand. The company provides Google Cloud–based services focused on […]

DBS has appointed Xu Qing as Managing Director and Senior Risk Executive for Hong Kong, and Chief Credit Officer for North Asia, according to a statement. The appointment is effective 1 February. In his new role, Xu will oversee credit and risk functions across Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan, and will join the Hong […]