AI Productivity Won?t Solve Advanced Economy Debt Woes-
Kenneth Rogoff argues that AI‑driven productivity gains are unlikely to cure advanced economies' ballooning budget deficits. While AI may boost output, it also shifts income toward capital, eroding the labor tax base and prompting governments to spend more rather than tighten fiscal policy. The rapid transition threatens white‑collar employment, outpacing retraining efforts, and exposes financial, political, and military systems to new AI‑related risks. Emerging AI hardware exporters such as South Korea may profit, but the overall fiscal outlook remains precarious.
AI?s Threat to Global Economic Security Is Here-
Anthropic unveiled Claude Mythos Preview, an AI model that can locate and exploit vulnerabilities in operating systems and web browsers, alarming business leaders and policymakers worldwide. The Trump administration, despite recent tensions with Anthropic, is now seeking cooperation to protect...
Cambodia Central Bank Denounces ?False? Bank Rumours- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
Cambodia’s central bank and finance associations issued joint statements on April 20 denouncing social‑media rumours that questioned the viability of local banks. The warnings followed liquidity problems at two minor lenders in January, which sparked speculation about broader systemic risk....
Sembcorp-Becamex JV Aims for 30 VSIPs by Year-End- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
The Singapore‑Vietnam joint venture Sembcorp‑Becamex plans to operate 30 Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) sites by the end of 2026, up from 21 currently. The 22nd park will be built in Hue City, while a new licence secured for Khanh Hoa...
Global Non-Aligned Banking Transparency Results in Opacity- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
The Asset’s latest column compares executive compensation disclosures from 2025 reports of U.S. banks, European banks and global systemically important banks (G‑SIBs). It finds that U.S. institutions generally provide more granular tables, while many European banks still rely on summary...
?Hormuz Shock? Opportunity to Accelerate Energy Transition- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
The unexpected closure of the Strait of Hormuz in April 2026 halted roughly 25% of global oil, 20% of LNG, and a third of fertilizer shipments, prompting the IMF to label the event a “global, yet asymmetric” rupture. Countries that...
Why Investors Are Pivoting From AI Hype to HALO Trades?- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
Investors are moving away from pure AI‑centric bets toward HALO trades—investments in heavy, low‑obsolescence assets that promise steadier cash flows. The shift reflects growing anxiety over AI volatility and a desire for risk‑adjusted returns in a blended digital‑traditional market. A...
IMF Sets Adverse and Severe Scenarios in Grim War Outlook - #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
The International Monetary Fund has departed from its usual single‑forecast approach in the World Economic Outlook, presenting three distinct scenarios—baseline, adverse and severe—amid the escalating US‑Israeli conflict with Iran. The IMF warns that prolonged hostilities could shave up to 1.5%...
VPBank to Become Vietnam?s Largest Bank by Capital After Massive Share Sale- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
VPBank announced a two‑stage share issuance that will lift its charter capital to over VND 106,243 billion (approximately US$4.18 billion), positioning it as Vietnam’s largest bank by capital. The capital raise targets a 35% increase in pre‑tax profit by 2026. The offering will...
AI Must Not Think for Us, to Work for Us-
Artificial intelligence has evolved from a novelty chatbot to a powerful productivity tool that can locate data, run statistical analyses, and generate polished reports in minutes. The author illustrates how AI accelerates research, lowers costs for entrepreneurs, and empowers lower‑skill...
Allspring Adds GIA Partners Fixed Income Investment Team- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
Allspring Global Investments, managing about $628 billion in assets under advisement, announced it will acquire the fixed‑income investment team of GIA Partners. Led by Eduardo Cortes, the team brings more than four decades of expertise in emerging‑market and high‑yield credit. The transaction,...
Zodia Custody, PwC UK Team up on Digital Asset Custody- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
Zodia Custody, the institution‑first digital‑asset platform backed by major banks, has teamed up with PwC UK to act as the digital‑asset custodian for the firm’s insolvency cases. The partnership responds to growing demand for specialist expertise in protecting crypto and...
EBRD Lends to Bulgarian Copper Firm Sofia Med - #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has extended a €20 million (≈ $23.5 million) loan to Bulgarian copper products manufacturer Sofia Med, secured by a guarantee from the EU’s InvestEU programme. The financing is intended to boost Sofia Med’s production capacity...
Cr?dit Agricole, ING Arrange ?1.52 Billion for Akiem- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
Paris‑based train leasing firm Akiem has closed a €1.52 billion (≈US$1.78 billion) green senior debt facility arranged by Crédit Agricole and ING. The financing is earmarked for Akiem’s transition to sustainable operations, including fleet electrification and carbon‑reduction initiatives. The deal marks a significant...
Adani, Minerva Forge JV on Indian Renewable Projects- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
Adani Renewable Energy Middle East, a subsidiary of Adani Green Energy, has signed a joint‑venture agreement with UAE‑based Minerva Holding RSC. Minerva will take a 20% equity stake in a new UAE‑registered vehicle that will develop solar and wind projects...
EIB, Soci?t? G?n?rale Support Sicilian Solar Project - #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
The European Investment Bank and Société Générale have jointly approved a €153 million (≈US$180 million) loan to fund the Sand Solar project in Sicily. The 137‑megawatt photovoltaic plant will be developed and operated by Peridot, aiming to start construction this year and...
Philippines to Manufacture Hybrid Vehicles by 2028- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
Mitsubishi Motors announced it will join the Philippines’ Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS) to produce a new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) at its local plant by mid‑2028. The move marks the first large‑scale hybrid manufacturing effort in the archipelago, leveraging...
CLI Real Estate Credit Fund Raises US$320 Million in Final Close - #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
CapitaLand Investment Limited completed the final close of its second real‑estate credit vehicle, the CapitaLand Asia Pacific Credit Programme II, securing US$320 million in equity commitments. The raise pushes the fund’s assets under management to roughly US$600 million. The fund targets real‑estate‑backed...
Meiko Investment in Vietnam Set to Break US$1 Billion Mark- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
Japanese printed circuit board leader Meiko Electronics is on track to invest nearly US$1 billion in Vietnam, adding six new production plants to its Southeast Asian footprint. The expansion cements Vietnam’s role as a key node in Meiko’s global supply chain...
JPMorgan Chase, Graphyte Ink 10-Year Biomass Carbon Deal- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
JPMorgan Chase and Graphyte have signed a 10‑year agreement under which the bank will purchase 60,000 tonnes of durable carbon‑dioxide‑removal (CDR) credits generated by Graphyte’s U.S. biomass projects. The deal, announced on April 10, 2026, marks one of the longest‑term...
Key China Pension Fund Bets on New Quality Productivity- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
China’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has rebalanced its A‑share holdings, cutting exposure to traditional banking and consumer‑staple firms. The fund is redirecting capital toward sectors the government deems drivers of “new quality productivity,” notably artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and...
Investors Must Navigate Tactical Gains, Structural Risks in US-Iran Ceasefire- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
A two‑week ceasefire between the United States and Iran has ignited a sharp relief rally, pulling equity markets higher as tail‑risk premiums recede. Investors can seize short‑term gains, but the rally masks lingering structural vulnerabilities in the energy sector, where...
Treasurise Awards 2026: Delivering Value-Added Impact - #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
The Treasurise Awards 2026, sponsored by DBS, spotlight a shift among CFOs and treasurers in the ASEAN region and Australia from defensive cash management to proactive, value‑added treasury leadership. Rapid regional growth, heightened currency volatility and the rise of digital...
Diffusion, Not Just Innovation, to Determine AI Impact-
The article argues that AI’s true economic impact will be driven by how widely the technology diffuses, not merely by breakthroughs from the United States or China. While the US and China lead in algorithmic innovation, a broader set of...
Indonesian Wealth Fund Enters Global Aircraft Leasing Market- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
Indonesia’s newly created sovereign wealth vehicle, Danantara Investment Management, announced a partnership with Japan’s SMBC Aviation Capital and local Mandiri Investment Management to launch the Mandiri Aviation Leasing Fund. The fund will acquire and lease commercial aircraft to airlines worldwide,...
Treasurise Awards 2026: Showcasing the Best Institutions in MENA and South Asia- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
In 2025 treasury leaders across South Asia and MENA shifted from back‑office reporting to real‑time, AI‑enabled command centres, tackling volatility, supply‑chain strain and regulatory change. They embraced sustainable finance, exemplified by Standard Chartered’s green trade‑finance bond for Envision Energy India...
SGX to Launch Asia-Pacific Government Bond Futures- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
The Singapore Exchange (SGX) will debut Asia‑Pacific government bond futures on 20 April, covering sovereign bonds from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. The contracts, margined and settled in US dollars, offer three maturities—three, five and ten years—based on FTSE Russell’s...
FTSE Russell Unveils Asia Liquid Government Bond Index Series- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
FTSE Russell has launched the FTSE Asia Pacific Liquid Government Bond Index Series, a new suite of local‑currency benchmarks covering India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. The series tracks the two or three most recently issued or reopened sovereign...
Singapore Equity Market Overhaul Aims to Build Self-Sustaining Powerhouse- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
Singapore has launched a sweeping overhaul of its equity capital markets, expanding the Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) nine months ago. Early indicators show measurable traction as policymakers, fund managers, and market operators co‑ordinate around a structural reset rather than...
Abu Dhabi IFC Attracts More Global Players, AUM Surges 36% in 2025- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
Abu Dhabi Global Market reported a 36% jump in assets under management in 2025, reinforcing its status as the Middle East and Africa’s largest international financial centre by licence count. Active licences rose 30% to 12,671 and the workforce grew...
Endowus Rolls Out HKD Index Funds for Retail Clients- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
Asia‑focused digital wealth platform Endowus announced the launch of three Hong Kong‑dollar index funds from BlackRock’s iShares range for retail clients in Hong Kong. The funds give investors low‑cost exposure to both local equities and global markets, expanding Endowus’ product...
Global Economic Chokepoints Grow at Cost of Resilience- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
Michael Spence warns that the global economy is riddled with single‑point chokepoints, from the Strait of Hormuz and Malacca to the Suez and Panama canals. Concentrated supply chains—such as Japan’s micro‑controller firms, the ASML‑TSMC‑Samsung semiconductor trio, and China’s rare‑earth dominance—have...
Singapore?s EPG Adds US$100 Million in Series B+ Financing-
Singapore‑based data‑centre infrastructure firm EPG secured more than $100 million in a series B+ round led by Decarbonization Partners, a BlackRock‑Temasek joint venture, alongside Alibaba Cloud and other strategic investors. The capital will accelerate EPG’s international expansion, bolstering R&D, manufacturing and delivery...
Citi Names Natural Resources Head for ANZ CMA Team- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
Citi has appointed Anders Svensson as managing director and head of its natural resources group for the Australia‑New Zealand capital markets and advisory team. Svensson arrives from Morgan Stanley after more than two decades covering oil, gas, metals and mining. He...
BSP Holds Rates at 4.25% in Surprise Off-Cycle Meet- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas kept its benchmark policy rate at 4.25% after an unexpected off‑cycle meeting, citing the sharp oil‑price shock from the Middle East conflict. Domestic fuel costs have surged up to 177%, prompting a national energy emergency...
Blueleaf Commissions 300MWp Hybrid Power Project in India - #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
Blueleaf Energy has commissioned the 300‑MW‑peak Pachora Hybrid Power Project in Madhya Pradesh, marking its flagship wind‑solar development in India. Valued at 1,900 crores (approximately $230 million), the plant will generate about 600 million kilowatt‑hours per year—enough for over 550,000 households—and sells power...
Jan Metzger Leaves Citi for Standard Chartered- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
Standard Chartered has hired Jan Metzger as global head of coverage banking for its corporate and investment banking division, based in Hong Kong. Metzger arrives from Citi, where he co‑led investment banking for Asia and oversaw major M&A and capital‑market...
Hong Kong Insurers Aim to Boost Investment Risk Profiles- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
Hong Kong insurers are set to raise the risk profile of their investment portfolios, with 92% planning to do so over the next two years. The move is driven by a desire for higher private‑equity and venture‑capital returns, as assets...
Global Share Buybacks Hit Record US$1.46 Trillion in 2025- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
Global share buybacks reached a record $1.46 trillion in 2025, up 8.4% year‑on‑year. Fifty‑two percent of companies in Capital’s index repurchased shares, a rise from 36% in 2015. The United States contributed 71% of total buybacks, while Europe accounted for just...
MariBank, Amova Launch S$1 Singapore Equity Fund- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
MariBank, the digital bank owned by Sea Limited and licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has introduced a new equity fund that lets customers invest as little as S$1 (about $0.77) in Singapore-listed stocks. The fund, launched in partnership...
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT Spends S$1.4 Billion to Rejuvenate Portfolio- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
CapitaLand Ascendas REIT announced a S$1.4 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion) investment to acquire two Singapore properties and a hyperscale data‑centre in Japan. The deal brings the total outlay to S$1.41 billion, marking the REIT’s first direct entry into the Japanese market. The acquisitions...
Citi Forms Infrastructure Financing Group- #BeltAndRoad #Economy #Infrastructure
Citigroup has created an Infrastructure Financing and Capital Solutions (IFCS) unit focused on the Asia‑Pacific region. The new group will address the growing demand for large‑scale infrastructure funding, especially projects tied to Belt and Road initiatives. Eric Farina and Rob...
Solving AI Not Sufficient to Solving Everything Else-
Leading Silicon Valley voices claim that achieving artificial general intelligence will automatically resolve broader societal and economic problems. The article revisits I.J. Good’s 1960s intelligence‑explosion hypothesis, highlighting how the narrative has become a secular gospel. It argues that the premise...
Citi Bolsters Healthcare Investment Banking Team- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
Citigroup has appointed Ben Bartholomaeus as head of healthcare for Australia and New Zealand, bringing his experience from Goldman Sachs where he led major regional deals. Bartholomaeus previously advised on landmark transactions such as the A$1.6 billion DBG Health investment and the...
Dash Living Acquires US$400 Million Multifamily Assets in Tokyo- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
Dash Living, a Hong Kong‑based living‑sector investor, has purchased eight multifamily properties in Tokyo for US$400 million, adding 550 rental units to its holdings. The deal lifts the company’s portfolio to over 2,000 keys across 42 locations in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan....
KKR Invests US$310 Million to Scale Allfleet E-Bus Platform- #Wealth #AssetManagement #AssetFinance
KKR is committing up to US$310 million to Allfleet India and PMI Electro Mobility Solutions, acquiring a majority stake in the Allfleet e‑bus platform and a minority stake in the manufacturer. The partnership aims to scale Allfleet’s end‑to‑end electric bus solution,...
Finastra Establishes AI Centre of Excellence- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
Finastra has created a centralized AI Centre of Excellence and named Chris McClellen as senior vice president, group head of AI. The COE will consolidate expertise from engineering, product, and data teams to streamline AI projects and share best practices. Finastra...
Iran Conflict Sharpens Asia?s Energy Security Focus- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
The escalating Iran‑Israel conflict is spilling into Asian energy markets, prompting the inaugural Indo‑Pacific Energy Security Ministerial in Tokyo. Ministers and industry leaders warned that regional fuel imports are increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, as military actions push oil prices...
GCC Bond, Sukuk Issuances Plunge Amid Iran War- #CapitalMarkets #Finance #Treasury #Finance
GCC dollar‑denominated bond and sukuk issuances have plunged since the Iran war erupted, despite the region’s strong credit fundamentals earlier in 2026. The GCC still represents roughly 40% of all emerging‑market dollar issuance this year, with outstanding DCM at $1.2 trillion....
Citi Names Asean Real Estate, Investment Banking Head- #CapitalMarkets #Finance
U.S.-based Citi has named Indran Thana as Managing Director and ASEAN Head of Real Estate Investment Banking, effective June, based in Singapore. Thana comes from UBS where he led the real‑estate, lodging and leisure franchise for Asia, building a top‑three...