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Banking & finance
News about the global financial industry with a focus on developments in Hong Kong and China.
A man walks past an electronic board displaying the Nikkei 225 stock prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in Tokyo on January 5. Photo: AFP
Stocks

Macroscope | Why Asian family businesses are pivoting to private equity

Family firms, the backbone of the Asian economy, have tended to be reluctant to go public but are increasingly open to private equity funding.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong’s finance chief confirms early surplus, vows more elderly support

Chinese offshore investment

How China’s global investment model is changing – and what it means for the yuan

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Letters | 5 years on, digital banks are taking root in Hong Kong

Readers discuss perceptions of virtual banks, vetting of English teachers, and the outlook for Hong Kong.

People use ATMs in Central in 2024. A 2025 survey found a majority of respondents reporting that digital banks could meet at least half of their daily banking needs. Photo: Eugene Lee
HSBC

What does HSBC’s buyout of Hang Seng Bank mean for its future and investors?

HSBC’s historic US$13.6 billion buyout of Hang Seng Bank aims to cut costs, tackle bad debts and fuel growth, but challenges abound.

China's economic recovery

China cautions against ‘compound errors’ from clashing policies

Party mouthpiece calls for better coordination and market guidance as 15th five-year planning period begins, warning conflicting rules unsettle investors.

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Yuan

Yuan to strengthen to 6.85 per US dollar in first quarter 2026: Morgan Stanley

Strong export growth and US dollar weakness are expected to bolster the currency, the bank says.

The yuan has appreciated against the US dollar in recent weeks. In late December, the offshore yuan dipped below the benchmark rate of seven against the US dollar. Photo: AFP
China inflation

China prices pick up, Venezuela raid fallout, Carney visit

This week: China inflation hits highest since February 2023, US abduction of Venezuela’s Maduro spurs criticism, Meta-Manus deal draws scrutiny. Next week: Canada’s Carney visits China, December trade figures come out, Jimmy Lai returns to court in Hong Kong and more.

Hong Kong

Chinese financial firms press on with debt issuance to fund overseas expansion

Guangzhou-based GF Securities announces plan to raise US$780 million after mainland Chinese finance firms raise over US$10 billion in 2025.

IPO

TCM firms eye Hong Kong IPOs to fuel global expansion

Over the past year, 34 innovation and technology, life and health science companies set up or expanded their operations in Hong Kong.

A traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy at the Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Hospital in Tseung Kwan O. Photo: Edmond So
US-Venezuela conflict

‘Odious debt’: why China is at risk of painful losses in post-Maduro Venezuela

China has lent Venezuela tens of billions of dollars in recent decades. But Caracas could simply declare those obligations void, analysts say.

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Vehicles drive past the El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Photo: AP
Cambodia

Cambodia dissolves accused scam tycoon Chen Zhi’s Prince Bank

The central bank said the lender has been ‘suspended from providing new banking services, including accepting deposits and providing credit’.

HSBC

Hang Seng Bank shareholders approve HSBC’s US$14 billion buyout plan

HSBC receives strong backing from Hang Seng Bank’s independent shareholders, getting 85.75 per cent of the votes.

China property

China Vanke offshore creditors face near wipeout in Barclays worst-case scenario

British bank warns recoveries could fall below 1 per cent as restructuring priorities and access to assets remain uncertain.

In a base-case scenario, China Vanke bondholders may recover 10.1 per cent of what they are owed, according to Barclays. Photo: Reuters
China's economic recovery

China signals flexible use of monetary tools in 2026 to support 5-year plan

Boosting domestic demand, addressing debt risks and promoting yuan’s international use also priorities for coming year.

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The People’s Bank of China has announced a series of goals for 2026, from promoting cross-border yuan use to increasing domestic consumption and managing debt risks. Photo: Shutterstock
CITIC Group

Citic Securities claims top spot in Asia-Pacific investment banking for 2025

Chinese rivals fill out the rest of the top five, while US bank Morgan Stanley comes in sixth.

Family offices

Exclusive | Hong Kong favoured as wealth planning platform, bank CEO says

City’s stock market and incentives will continue to attract family offices from around Asia-Pacific, Bank of Singapore’s Hong Kong CEO says.

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IPO

MiniMax’s Hong Kong IPO set to hit US$538 million amid Chinese AI sector frenzy

The Alibaba-backed firm is set to price its 25.4 million shares at HK$165 each, the top end of its marketed range, sources say.

MiniMax, founded in early 2022 by former SenseTime veteran Yan Junjie, develops multimodal AI models. Photo: Shutterstock
Mainland China

US dollar, gold rise after Maduro abduction as investors seek safe havens

Yuan also remains relatively resilient as analysts predict the Chinese currency could strengthen to as high as 6.8 against the US dollar in 2026.

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IPO

The ‘biology winter’ thaws: why investors are buying Hong Kong’s biotech IPOs

A wave of China out-licensing deals is feeding a biotech comeback in Hong Kong, where IPOs and follow-on placements are surging.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Starry Lee or Ronick Chan? Lawmakers’ choice will reveal their priorities

How legislators vote will show how they see their roles and whether they prioritise national and city interests above personal political gain.

Starry Lee and Ronick Chan separately take their oaths at the Legislative Council chamber on January 1. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA)

Exclusive | HKMA teams up with SFC, Insurance Authority to promote fintech over next 5 years

The HKMA is expanding the city’s generative AI sandbox to include other industries, chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man says.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority chief executive Eddie Yue Wai-man. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong’s anti-scam service a prudent way to make banking more secure

Law enforcement and banks must work together to keep Hongkongers’ money safe and their transactions secure.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | How Hong Kong can complement Hainan’s free-trade port

Jointly designed customs rules could be used in pilot schemes to smooth the customs process for international business.

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China property

Property industry an enemy within for Beijing’s economic targets

Ripple effect from further downturn would threaten economic growth and put more developers, workers and even banks at risk, analysts warn.

A man walks in front of residential buildings in Beijing on December 15, 2025. Photo: EPA
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong to boost tech, financial services integration during AI boom: Paul Chan

Minister hails city’s role as global capital market for mainland Chinese tech firms, citing AI chipmaker Biren’s 82 per cent gains at debut.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan (second from right) attends the listing ceremony for Biren Technology with the firm’s CEO Zhang Wen (second from left). Photo: Jonathan Wong
IPO

Turning point: China doubles IPOs in 2025 amid eased curbs to boost tech push

CSRC reforms revive fundraising momentum with 115 firms generating US$18.3 billion across mainland China’s exchanges.

China property

China’s wealthy swap real estate for insurance, gold as retirement looms

Declining returns on property are prompting China’s affluent to diversify their investments, including high-value insurance policies and gold.

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