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  • Malaysian Ringgit on a Steady Rise: Expert Predicts Strong Appreciation Cycle by 2026

    Malaysian Ringgit on a Steady Rise: Expert Predicts Strong Appreciation Cycle by 2026

    MUFG Bank Ltd anticipates that the ringgit will fortify to 3.70 against the U.S. dollar by the end of 2026. This expectation is bolstered by an enduring appreciation cycle fueled by robust structural fundamentals.

    Predictions by Senior Currency Analyst

    Lloyd Chan, the bank’s senior currency analyst, claims that this forecast is rooted in the continuous inflow of investment in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Other factors such as macroeconomic stability, supportive governmental policies, and enhanced capital flows also contribute to this prediction.

    Chan notes that there is a vigorous investment cycle currently taking place in Malaysia. This cycle, he believes, underpins the country’s prospects for medium-term economic growth.

    Rise in Investment Approvals

    Investment approvals in the manufacturing and services sectors have risen by 14.7% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2025. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has played a significant role in this upswing in capital expenditure.

    According to Chan, this increase signals a revived confidence in Malaysia’s policy framework, infrastructure, and role in regional supply chains.

    ICT as a Major Contributor

    The ICT sector has emerged as the primary contributor to the total approved investments within Malaysia. There has been a noticeable increase in foreign participation in this sector since 2022. Chan points out that the country’s ICT investment approvals experienced a year-on-year surge of about 32% in the first nine months of 2025.

    Macroeconomic Stability

    Chan observes that Malaysia’s macroeconomic stability has reduced risk premiums. Despite the rationalization of RON95 fuel subsidies and adjustments to sales and services tax, inflation has remained under control. This has allowed Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) to maintain policy stability.

    On February 12, the ringgit ascended to a new high of 3.8995 against the U.S. dollar. This is its strongest level in nearly eight years. The last time it traded in this range was on April 23, 2018, when it was valued at 3.8965/8995 against the dollar.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the forecast for the ringgit against the U.S. dollar by the end of 2026?
    The MUFG Bank Ltd predicts that the ringgit will strengthen to 3.70 against the U.S. dollar by the close of 2026.

    Which sector has been the major contributor to total approved investments in Malaysia?
    The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector has been the primary contributor to the total approved investments in Malaysia.

    What factors have contributed to maintaining policy stability in Malaysia?
    The macroeconomic stability of Malaysia, reflected in their controlled inflation despite changes in fuel subsidies and sales and services tax, has allowed Bank Negara Malaysia to maintain policy stability.

  • Tradeweb Bolsters Asian Division With Veteran Investment Specialist Appointment

    Tradeweb Bolsters Asian Division With Veteran Investment Specialist Appointment

    An Investment Expert Takes Charge at Tradeweb Asia

    Tradeweb, a global provider of electronic marketplaces for an array of financial services, has bolstered its Asian division with the appointment of a veteran investment specialist. The company is experiencing a phase of substantial growth, and the new recruit will be responsible for supervising business operations and client engagement across the Asian region.

    A Strategic Merger

    Rich Chun, the recently appointed Head of Tradeweb Asia, will be based in Hong Kong. His role will involve reporting to co-heads of global markets, Enrico Bruni and Troy Dixon, and directing regional strategy, business development, and client relationships.

    Tradeweb’s international business has seen a significant boost, registering a year-on-year revenue growth of 41 percent in the second quarter of 2025. This consistent expansion in Asia mirrors the region’s escalating importance as a hub for worldwide fixed income and electronic trading activities.

    A Wealth of Experience

    Chun brings with him a wealth of experience in trading and portfolio management, having held senior positions in various financial corporations for over three decades. His expertise in institutional risk transfer is expected to be a valuable asset for Tradeweb. Among his numerous roles, Chun has served as a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at HPS Investment Partners, where he established the company’s Hong Kong outpost. He also held significant trading positions at Citigroup.

    Amplifying Customer Relations

    Bruni, one of the co-heads of global markets at Tradeweb, expressed his confidence in Chun’s appointment, highlighting Chun’s abundant industry knowledge as a substantial benefit to cultivating stronger relations with their clients and providing enhanced value to the local investment community. Chun reciprocated the sentiment, expressing pride in joining Tradeweb at a period of dynamic change in Asian financial services. He is eager to contribute to the development of new technologies that would enhance efficiency and opportunity for clients.

    Well-established in the Asia Pacific

    Tradeweb already holds a strong regional presence, with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Tokyo. The company has a history of introducing pioneering initiatives, such as becoming the first platform to provide electronic access to China’s bond market through various ventures.

    Pillar of Japanese Markets

    Tradeweb has also played a significant role in the advancement of the Japanese markets, by making Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs) and Yen interest rate swaps available on its trading platform. This strategy has resulted in significant growth in the total traded volume of both Yen IRS and JGBs.

    Recruiting Top Talent

    Chun’s appointment is a testament to Tradeweb’s ambition to solidify its position in the rapidly evolving Asian financial market. The company is making strategic moves to stay ahead in a landscape where technology, liquidity, and market access are increasingly intertwined.

    Questions & Answers

    What role will Rich Chun play at Tradeweb?
    As Head of Tradeweb Asia, Rich Chun will oversee regional strategy, business development, and client relationships.

    What has been the recent growth rate of Tradeweb?
    Tradeweb has recently experienced a 41 percent year-on-year revenue increase in the second quarter of 2025.

    What initiatives has Tradeweb introduced in Asia Pacific?
    Tradeweb was the first to offer electronic access to China’s bond market and significantly contributed to the electronification of Japan’s markets.

  • Partners Group Welcomes Expert to Boost U.S. Insurance Market Growth

    Partners Group Welcomes Expert to Boost U.S. Insurance Market Growth

    Strategic Leadership Strengthens Brand Expansion and Client Relations

    In a strategic move aimed at fortifying its Client Solutions business, Partners Group has announced the appointment of John Woerner as Senior Advisor for the U.S. insurance sector. This significant addition comes as part of the firm’s ongoing efforts to respond to evolving consumer trends and enhance its services to insurance clients.

    A Wealth of Experience

    Bringing nearly three decades of experience, Woerner’s background encompasses a diverse range of executive and strategic roles in the insurance and wealth management field. Most notably, he spent 17 years leading the Insurance & Annuities division at Ameriprise Financial, where he also held the position of Chief Strategy Officer. Additionally, he served as a Partner at McKinsey & Company, steering the Asset & Wealth Management practice.

    Driving Strategy and Business Development

    In his new role, Woerner will focus on refining Partners Group’s strategic approach for insurance clients while boosting relationships with insurance companies across North America. His extensive network and comprehensive industry insights are anticipated to facilitate business development and aid in the execution of innovative investment strategies.

    Impact on the Retail Sector

    As Partners Group expands its expertise in the insurance market, the potential ripple effects on the retail sector and consumers could be significant. Enhanced strategies may lead to improved services and offerings, aligning with current consumer demands in the evolving financial landscape. This appointment not only showcases Partners Group’s commitment to growth but also emphasizes the importance of experienced leadership in shaping the future of retail services in insurance and beyond.

  • Twitter to verify health experts with priority

    Twitter to verify health experts with priority

    Twitter is taking another step in fighting misinformation and highlighting credible sources of info about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The company explained in a tweet that it is “working with global public health authorities to identify experts” and get them verified as soon as possible. The Twitter verification label signifies that a profile is authentic, trusted, and a source of truth for an individual, business or organization.

    In the past, the process of verification was under attack for giving the blue label to radical groups and individuals. The verification program was suspended in 2017 after it verified the organizer of white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia and afterward the CEO Jack Dorsey called it “broken”. In the current situation, however, the blue badge can help people discern valid information in the high tide of rumors and speculation moving along with the viral wave.

    According to Twitter, the company has already verified hundreds of accounts but apparently there’s more to be done. In a message to health experts, Twitter explained that it will give priority to “accounts that have an email address associated with an authoritative organization or institution”, and added a link to the “How to update your email address” tutorial on Twitter’s help center.

    The company is working on a public-accessible form to help health experts apply directly for verification. “We’ll likely share a link to an intake form soon for experts to fill out to request verification”, commented Twitter product lead Kayvon Beykpour. Other tech companies offered help in providing fast and reliable information about the health situation as well. Facebook opened its Messenger app to developers to help build new messaging solutions for reporting coronavirus-related info. WhatsApp announced that it is opening an information hub in partnership with the WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP.

  • StanChart Hires Technology Risk Expert

    StanChart Hires Technology Risk Expert

    The bank has brought on board a financial and telecommunications services technology risk, regulatory and security leader to support its business, functions and regions.

    Standard Chartered has hired technology expert David McLinton as its global head of Operations, Information and Cyber Security (ICS), effective 06 January 2020, subject to regulatory approvals, the bank announced in a statement on Wednesday.

    McLinton has over 25 years of industry experience joins from Singtel, where he was head of its Asia Pacific cybersecurity team. He was previously chief information security officer for Asia Pacific and Latin America for J.P. Morgan Chase.

    The position is based in Singapore. McLinton reports to Yuval Illuz, group chief information security officer and chief operating officer, Trust, Data and Automation.

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  • Swiss Fintechs to Showcase Expertise at Singapore Fintech Festival

    Swiss Fintechs to Showcase Expertise at Singapore Fintech Festival

    Switzerland Global Enterprise and the Swiss Business Hub ASEAN announced that they will showcase the best of the country’s fintech ecosystem and expertise under its Swiss Pavilion in the upcoming Singapore FinTech Festival 2019.

    Returning for the third year, the Swiss Pavilion will host close to 30 companies involved in cutting-edge innovation in financial services technologies that encompass regulation technology, blockchain solutions, Big Data and analytics, algorithm trading and cybersecurity among others. The Swiss Pavilion, one of the larger national pavilions taking part at the Singapore festival, will present opportunities for co-innovation, collaborations, partnerships, and deal-making.

    The Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) is pleased to showcase the Swiss ecosystem of top financial institutions and leading Fintech players at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2019.  As one of the Top 10 Financial Centres of the world, Switzerland offers the ideal combination of dense and diverse ecosystem in the fintech space, a regulator addressing the needs of the industry and a great pool of talents to create new solutions for the future, said Patrik Wermelinger, Member of the Executive Committee of Switzerland Global Enterprise.

    Besides demonstrating the expertise of Swiss companies to international audiences, the other goal of the Swiss Pavillion is to enable Swiss fintechs to use Singapore as a hub to grow in the Southeast Asia (ASEAN) region, Wermelinger added.

    Interest from Swiss fintech enterprises in Singapore has been growing rapidly. Over the past few years, we have seen escalating interest from Swiss fintech companies to spread their winds into ASEAN using Singapore as a hub.  There is potential for more Swiss-Singapore exchanges and it is my wish to see more of such collaborations.  Together, we can explore more markets and help the financial institutions grow rapidly, said H.E. Fabrice Filliez, Switzerland’s Ambassador to Singapore.

    Switzerland is home to over 1,000 fintech companies, deeply active in Investment Management, Payment solutions, Banking infrastructure and Deposit & Lending. Their interest to a greater presence in Singapore arises from the republic’s fintech cooperation framework and agreements with ASEAN, China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

    Singapore’s annual FinTech Festival is organized by MAS, in partnership with The Association of Banks in Singapore, and in collaboration with SingEx Holdings. The 4th edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival will attract a global array of speakers and exhibitors.

    The upcoming event will carry four major underlying themes that are driving the financial ecosystem: Sustainability and Climate Finance; Future of Finance; Exponential Technologies and FinTech and Beyond.

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