Industry News

A recent study by Clearwater Analytics has highlighted a significant divide among Asia-Pacific (APAC) insurers regarding regulatory compliance strategies. The research, which surveyed insurance asset management executives managing a total of $3.823t in assets, found that 48% of insurers cite meeting internal and external reporting demands as their primary challenge in adhering to financial regulations.

The study revealed that smaller firms, with assets under management (AUM) between $1b and $5b, and medium-sized firms, with AUM between $5b and $10b prioritise reporting demands. In contrast, larger firms, with AUM ranging from $10b to over $50b, focus on adapting to regulatory changes.

Beyond reporting, 35% of respondents identified adapting to regulatory changes as their biggest challenge, whilst 13% pointed to the difficulty of meeting varying requirements across different regimes. The study included executives from life and health insurers, general insurers, and third-party investment firms in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia.

Looking ahead, 14% of executives anticipate significant difficulty in meeting changing regulatory requirements over the next three to five years, with another 18% expecting moderate difficulty. Despite these concerns, 37% of respondents believe insurers are excellent in compliance, and 55% rate them as very good.

Shane Akeroyd, Chief Strategy Officer and President of Asia Pacific at Clearwater Analytics, noted, “Small firms are struggling with current reporting demands whilst large firms are positioning for future regulatory changes. This divide will become more pronounced as requirements continue evolving across multiple jurisdictions.”

The study underscores the need for insurers to develop integrated compliance capabilities to navigate the increasing complexity of regulatory environments.

Leading analytics firm Adjust has unveiled its Mobile App Trends 2026 report, showcasing a 10% year-over-year increase in global app installs in 2025, with sessions rising by 7%. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region was pivotal in this surge, with e-commerce app installs climbing 7% and finance app installs up 5%.

The report underscores the growing importance of multi-platform user journeys, predicting that integrated analytics and AI-driven optimisation will be essential for marketers in 2026. Tiahn Wetzler, Adjust’s director of marketing, emphasised the need to capture user journeys across various platforms, stating, “It’s no longer sufficient to view users in device silos when we know that conversion is influenced by multiple touchpoints.”

APAC finance apps saw a remarkable 50% increase in sessions, reflecting a deeper user engagement and the increasing reliance on banking and payment apps. Globally, finance app sessions rose 21% year-over-year. The report also noted that global ATT opt-in rates among iOS users increased to 38% in Q1 2026, with gaming leading at 39%.

April Tayson, Regional Vice President for INSEAU at Adjust, highlighted the thriving mobile usage in APAC, stating, “These trends provide critical direction for brands shaping their strategies for the year ahead.”

The report further explores AI’s evolution from a strategic tool to core infrastructure, aiding in data analysis, audience segmentation, and real-time experience adaptation. As mobile becomes integral to daily life, these insights are crucial for marketers aiming to drive growth and deliver personalised experiences.

QBE Insurance Group has announced the appointment of Carles Tondo as Head of Property for Asia, effective immediately. Based in Singapore, Tondo will report to Stephen Geisler, CEO of South Asia. He will be responsible for driving the strategic growth of QBE’s property portfolio across the region, focusing on product strategy, pricing, and portfolio management.

Tondo’s appointment comes at a time when property development and infrastructure resilience are accelerating across Asia, with an increasing complexity in risk. With over 17 years of experience in international underwriting and leadership across Europe and Asia, Tondo is expected to strengthen client relationships and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. He will also manage regional performance for designated business lines, working closely with stakeholders to maximise growth and profitability.

Previously, Tondo served as Head of Property and Technical Lines for Singapore at another insurer and has held various leadership roles in Spain, Switzerland, and Malaysia. Stephen Geisler expressed confidence in Tondo’s ability to deliver exceptional value to QBE’s property clients, stating, “His extensive international exposure and leadership experience will be instrumental in helping QBE deliver exceptional value to our property clients, as they navigate increasingly complex risks.”

Tondo will take over the property portfolio from Brendan Dunlea, who will continue to lead the Construction, Engineering, Renewables, and Power Generation businesses at QBE Asia. Tondo remarked on his new role, “As the momentum of property development accelerates across Asia, it is now more important than ever that resiliency is at the forefront of our clients’ priorities.”

QBE Asia is part of the International Division of QBE Insurance Group Limited, headquartered in Sydney and listed on the Australia Securities Exchange.

The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) has announced the launch of NextFin Asia, a dedicated investment fund aimed at scaling fintech solutions in Southeast Asia. This initiative, in partnership with the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), marks a significant evolution of the Catapult Inclusion SE Asia programme, transitioning from an acceleration initiative to a platform offering direct funding.

NextFin Asia will support fintech startups tackling financial inclusion challenges across ASEAN. The programme, now in its third edition, will provide selected startups with tailored mentorship, institutional partnerships, and direct investment opportunities. This new approach aims to accelerate market access and enhance the impact of fintech solutions in the region.

The 2026 edition of Catapult Inclusion SE Asia will kick off in June in Luxembourg, followed by a significant presence at the Singapore FinTech Festival in November. This strategic partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovative financial ecosystems in Southeast Asia, combining Luxembourg’s expertise in sustainable finance with ADB’s regional development focus.

Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Through the NextFin Asia programme, we are supporting local entrepreneurs and startups whilst using public investment strategically to mobilise private capital alongside it.” Isabel Chatterton of ADB emphasised the programme’s role in expanding access to finance for underserved communities.

Applications for fintech startups in sectors such as digital payments, climate finance, and SME finance are encouraged, with further details to be announced soon.

DBS has announced its first social loan for the healthcare sector, providing a S$72m (JPY 8.8b) facility to Parkway Life REIT (PLife REIT). The 10-year loan will fund elder care facilities in Japan, addressing the urgent demand for quality aged care services as the country’s population aged 65 or older reached a record 36.25 million in 2024, accounting for 30% of the population.

The loan is part of PLife REIT’s Sustainable Finance Framework, developed with DBS as the sole sustainable finance adviser. This framework aligns with international principles, including the Social Loan Principles, and supports projects in Singapore, Japan, and Europe. These projects focus on healthcare and eldercare infrastructure, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate-resilient improvements.

Yong Yean Chau, CEO of Parkway Trust Management Limited, highlighted the significance of this refinancing exercise, stating, “This refinancing exercise marks an important milestone in PLife REIT’s sustainable financing journey, as we undertake our inaugural 10-year social loan under the Sustainable Financing Framework.”

Eugene Hong, Head of Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals at DBS, emphasised the importance of sustainable financing in the healthcare sector, noting, “As DBS’ first social loan in the healthcare sector, this transaction demonstrates how a well-structured sustainable financing framework can move quickly from intent to impact.”

Shilpa Gulrajani, Head of Sustainable Finance at DBS, added, “Sustainable finance goes beyond addressing environmental challenges – it is increasingly also about delivering meaningful social impact.”

This initiative marks a significant step in addressing Japan’s demographic challenges and enhancing healthcare infrastructure through sustainable financing.

DHL Group has announced an expansion of its Airfreight Cold Chain Network, aimed at revolutionising the transport of temperature-sensitive healthcare products globally. This initiative is part of DHL’s €2 billion investment in its Health Logistics division, providing end-to-end visibility and enhanced logistics for the world’s leading healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.

The expansion includes a newly branded Boeing 777 freighter, marking DHL’s strategic focus on health logistics. Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, stated, “Life sciences and healthcare companies expect cold chain solutions that are reliable, compliant, and transparent from end to end — and those expectations are rising fast.”

By reducing reliance on third-party carriers, DHL aims to improve product integrity and temperature control, enhancing supply chain resilience amidst geopolitical tensions and regulatory complexities. The network will initially connect major hubs such as Brussels and Cincinnati, with further routes planned across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

The BRU-CVG corridor, linking the US Midwest with Europe’s advanced life sciences ecosystem, offers a seamless pathway for high-value biologics and time-critical therapies. This infrastructure establishes a resilient connection between two key healthcare markets.

Countries like India, Singapore, Japan, and Brazil are prioritised for further network expansion, ensuring compliance with strict regulatory requirements. The initiative supports DHL’s mission to provide fast, reliable transport of pharmaceutical products, focusing on patient safety and reducing packaging costs.

The dedicated Boeing 777 freighter, featuring the new “DHL Health Logistics” livery, underscores the company’s commitment to healthcare logistics, providing consistent capacity and reinforcing temperature management standards for sensitive shipments.

Asia’s largest food retailers, manufacturers, and hospitality groups are making strides in sustainable protein sourcing, yet they still fall short of global best practices, according to the latest assessment by Asia Research & Engagement (ARE). The report, “The Asian Protein Buyers 100,” evaluates how 100 of Asia’s biggest protein-buying companies manage environmental, social, and governance risks in their supply chains.

The companies assessed, which include well-known names such as China Mengniu Dairy, Yili Group, and Jollibee, represent over $500b in market capitalisation. Despite some progress, the average score for these companies increased from 9 in 2023 to 16 in 2025, indicating that most are still in the early stages of implementing sustainable practices.

The report highlights that whilst the number of companies in the leading Tier 3 group more than doubled from 10 in 2023 to 26 in 2025, no company reached the top two performance tiers. This underscores a significant gap between sustainability commitments and actual execution.

Key areas of improvement include climate change and labour standards, driven by regulatory pressures and investor scrutiny. However, governance related to protein sustainability and protein diversification remains weak, with average scores of 4.5% and 7.4%, respectively.

Kate Blaszak, ARE Director of Protein Transition, stated, “Asia is the world’s fastest-growing protein market, which means what happens here will determine the future of global food systems.” The report aims to shift focus from policy to practice, encouraging companies to adopt measurable targets and board-level accountability for sustainable practices.

State Street has unveiled its Private Capital Index for the third quarter of 2025, offering a detailed analysis of private equity performance across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and globally. The index, which is based on actual cash flow data from State Street’s clients, highlights the challenges of obtaining consistent performance data in the largely non-public private equity markets.

The APAC subset of the index includes 316 funds from Australia, China, India, and Japan. In Q3, APAC funds returned 2.77%, slightly below the global index’s 2.91% and down from 3.30% in the second quarter. Venture Capital (VC) led the way with a 4.72% return, surpassing Private Debt at 2.77% and Buyout at 1.80%.

Globally, the index comprises over 4,200 funds with more than $6 trillion in capital commitments. The US regained its lead in Q3 with a 3.41% return, whilst Europe trailed at 1.55% as currency tailwinds faded. The Rest-of-World funds delivered a 2.18% return.

Fundraising in APAC remains subdued, mirroring global trends. Only $4.3b has been raised for 2025 vintage funds so far, compared to $14.7b in 2024. This suggests a projected full-year pace of approximately $5.8b if the current trend continues.

The State Street Private Capital Index provides crucial insights into private equity performance, addressing the need for reliable data in an opaque market. As the year progresses, the index will continue to offer valuable analytics for investors navigating the private capital landscape.

Samudera Shipping Line Ltd has announced the incorporation of a new joint venture subsidiary, Blue Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd., in Japan. This venture is a collaboration between Samudera’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Samudera Japan K.K., and Imoto Corporation. Samudera Japan holds a 51% stake in the new company.

Blue Ocean Shipping will engage in a range of maritime activities, including domestic shipping, ship leasing, and ship agency services. Additionally, it will operate as a maritime transportation agency and provide support for specified skilled foreign workers as a registered support organisation.

The joint venture is capitalised at JPY 220m with 8,800 shares issued out of a total of 40,000 authorised shares. Samudera Shipping Line has also stated that the incorporation of Blue Ocean Shipping is not expected to significantly impact the company’s earnings per share or net tangible assets for the financial year ending 31 December 2026.

DBS Bank, Southeast Asia’s largest bank, has partnered with Visa to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce (VIC), marking a significant step in agent-initiated payments in the Asia Pacific. This collaboration aims to validate AI-ready card credentials and payment signals, ensuring secure and efficient transactions through Visa’s infrastructure. The initiative is set to transform everyday payments by enabling AI agents to conduct transactions on behalf of consumers.

The pilot programme, which utilises a suite of integrated APIs and a partner programme, has already demonstrated success in real-world scenarios. DBS and Visa showcased AI-powered agents completing food and beverage transactions using DBS/POSB credit and debit cards. This success paves the way for exploring a broader range of transactions, including online shopping and travel bookings, aiming to streamline payment processes and reduce manual steps.

Ananya Sen, Group Head of Regional Consumer Products at DBS Bank, highlighted the potential of AI agents in digital payments, stating, “Our collaboration with Visa shows how agent-led payments can be deployed securely and safely at scale.” TR Ramachandran, Head of Products and Solutions Asia Pacific at Visa, added, “Through Visa Intelligent Commerce and Trusted Agent Protocol, we’re building the foundation that will make agentic commerce safe, secure, and scalable.”

As the collaboration progresses, DBS is enhancing its readiness for agent-led commerce by validating AI-ready credentials and advanced authentication. This initiative positions DBS and Visa to define the future of agentic commerce, balancing innovation with resilience and convenience with confidence.