Regional News

The Financial Planning Association of Singapore (FPAS) and GoalsMapper have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on initiatives that aim to strengthen the financial advisory profession in Singapore. Signed on 12 December 2025, the MOU focuses on elevating industry standards and supporting the continuous professional development of financial planners.

This partnership will provide FPAS members with access to enhanced training and learning opportunities, enabling them to deliver more effective advisory outcomes. A key component of the MOU is the integration of GoalsMapper’s GM Mortgage solution, which aims to improve mortgage education within the advisory community. Given that property financing is a significant financial commitment for many, this initiative seeks to equip advisers with the necessary knowledge to offer competent and transparent advice.

Dr. Ben Fok, President of FPAS, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating, “Our focus has always been on the advancement of the financial planning profession. Collaborations like this enable us to introduce more pathways for skills development, raise advisory standards, and better support the evolving needs of our members.”

GoalsMapper CEO, Dato’ Wayne Chen, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “At GoalsMapper, we are committed to redefining financial planning and to empower everyone to make better financial decisions. Partnering with leading associations such as FPAS allows us to contribute to the professional growth of the advisory community.”

The MOU marks the beginning of a concerted effort to enrich industry capability, enhance advisory quality, and deliver greater value to both practitioners and the public. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to aligning industry practices with evolving consumer needs, ultimately fostering a future-ready financial advisory ecosystem in Singapore.

Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore has unveiled key career trends for 2025, highlighting a rise in retrenchments and a decline in job vacancies, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. As jobseekers prepare for 2026, the demand for tech roles and AI skills is at the forefront, with employers increasingly valuing these competencies.

Jobstreet’s data indicates a significant surge in applications for tech roles, with a 169% increase in the information and technology sector from November 2023 to October 2025. This trend underscores the importance of “new collar” tech skills, which blend both soft and technical abilities. Skills such as customer service, relationship management, troubleshooting, computer science, and Python programming are particularly sought after.

AI fluency has emerged as a crucial qualification, with 54% of employers considering it during hiring processes and 19% viewing it as a primary factor, according to Jobstreet’s Hiring, Compensation and Benefits 2025 report. Additionally, keyword searches for “data analysis” and “automation” in entry-level jobs have risen by 12% and 93%, respectively.

The report also highlights a shift in workplace priorities, with 49% of employees aged 25-34 indicating a change in their priorities since starting their roles. Mental health and family responsibilities have become top concerns for many workers.

As the job market evolves, fresh graduates and those returning to the workforce are encouraged to focus on attitude over experience, with 64% of employers willing to hire less experienced candidates who demonstrate a positive outlook. Looking ahead, jobseekers are advised to stay informed and adaptable to thrive in the competitive landscape of 2026.

Changi Airport is inviting the public to explore its future with the T5 In the Making exhibition, set to open on 6 January 2026 at Terminal 3. This immersive experience, organised by the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, and Changi Airport Group, will showcase the vision and innovations behind the upcoming Terminal 5 (T5) through interactive displays and experiential zones. Registration for the exhibition is now open.

The exhibition, free for all visitors, will run until March 2026 and is divided into five zones. It highlights Changi Airport’s strategic evolution and the technologies being developed to address challenges such as manpower shortages, an ageing population, and climate change. Visitors can engage with interactive Artificial Intelligence (AI) experiences and view detailed scale models of T5 and the larger Changi East development.

Zone 1, titled ‘Another Bold Singapore Chapter’, demonstrates how T5 is designed to support Asia’s growing air travel demand and maintain Singapore’s competitive edge. In Zone 4, ‘Cool Tech Warm Touch’, visitors will see the innovative technologies planned for T5 to ensure world-class service. The exhibition concludes with Zone 5, ‘Come Imagine with T5’, featuring an AI-powered mural.

T5 is part of the Changi East development, which includes a third runway and additional infrastructure. Construction began in May and is expected to be completed in the mid-2030s. The development is anticipated to create significant economic opportunities and jobs, reinforcing Changi Airport’s status as a premier aviation hub.

Visitors can register for the exhibition via the official website, with slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-ins are also welcome, subject to availability.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) has announced the completion of its first Synthetic Risk Transfer (SRT) transaction in the Asia Pacific region. This significant financial manoeuvre references a US$3.2 billion portfolio of project finance loans across Australia and Asia. The transaction, finalised between September and October 2025, was executed in collaboration with strategic partners Blackstone, Stonepeak, and Clifford Capital.

The SRT is designed to enhance SMBC’s return on equity by optimising regulatory capital, allowing the bank to continue supporting financial needs across the region. This tailored solution aligns SMBC’s capital objectives with investors’ portfolio requirements, strengthening relationships with global and regional sponsors in project finance.

Katsufumi Uchida, Head of SMBC Asia Pacific Division, stated, “This inaugural SRT is a strategic step to further enable our client-centric growth in the region whilst optimising our capital returns.”

The transaction is part of SMBC’s broader strategy to develop capital-efficient solutions globally, following a similar SRT trade by its Americas Division earlier in April 2025. Dan Leiter from Blackstone highlighted the initiative’s role in financing large-scale infrastructure projects, whilst Andrew Robertson from Stonepeak emphasised the opportunity to provide investors with exposure to diversified infrastructure loans.

Nicholas Tan of Clifford Capital noted the transaction’s alignment with their mandate to promote capital recycling, enabling continued lending to high-quality infrastructure projects. This collaboration marks a pivotal step in enhancing capital efficiency for banks involved in the sector.

SMBC, headquartered in Tokyo, is a leading global financial institution with a strong presence in the Asia Pacific region, committed to sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

OneOne, a prominent Southeast Asian fintech and digital engagement company, has announced a strategic partnership with CoffeeBot Malaysia, the country’s largest smart coffee vending network. This collaboration aims to enhance on-ground user engagement by offering digital rewards, gaming perks, and lifestyle benefits through CoffeeBot’s vending machines located at key sites such as MRT stations and university campuses across Malaysia.

The partnership involves the display of OneOne’s promotional videos on 30 selected CoffeeBot vending machines, ensuring high visibility and interaction with thousands of commuters and students daily. Jasmine Lee, Chief Business Officer at ONEVERSE, stated, “This collaboration enhances our ability to reach users where it matters most, on the ground. By merging digital rewards with everyday convenience, we’re creating a seamless experience that brings value to both gamers and coffee lovers.”

Users can enjoy exclusive rewards by scanning the OneOne QR code on participating CoffeeBot machines. The reward mechanics include:

– Day 1: 20% off any CoffeeBot beverage and a Ragnarok Twilight in-game pack worth $10.50 (RM49.90).
– Day 2: 40% off any CoffeeBot beverage and 8 OneOne Credits (OOC).
– Day 3: 60% off any CoffeeBot beverage and 10 OneOne Credits (OOC).

This initiative is designed to encourage daily engagement and integrate lifestyle habits with digital reward ecosystems. The full list of participating vending machines is available on the campaign page.

CoffeeBot Malaysia expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We’re pleased to collaborate with OneOne in offering rewards that meaningfully enhance user experience. This partnership allows us to bring something extra to our customers beyond just great coffee.”

This collaboration highlights OneOne’s commitment to creating a unified digital-lifestyle ecosystem, leveraging CoffeeBot’s extensive presence to transform everyday interactions into rewarding experiences.

Tianlong Services, a corporate and accounting service provider in Singapore, has launched its Smart Bookkeeping Model, which combines artificial intelligence (AI) with industry-specific plugins to enhance everyday accounting tasks. This innovative framework aims to streamline processes whilst ensuring human oversight at every stage, reflecting a growing trend in Singapore’s corporate services sector towards hybrid accounting models.

The Smart Bookkeeping Model is designed to reduce repetitive tasks without sacrificing the contextual insights provided by accounting professionals. “We are seeing growing interest in accounting systems that balance automation with professional judgement,” said a representative from Tianlong Services. The model employs AI-assisted data processing, complemented by human review, to maintain consistency and clarity in bookkeeping.

To facilitate the transition to this new system, Tianlong Services has implemented a structured onboarding process. This includes preliminary system access to review existing records, a consultation call to understand the client’s business model, and the establishment of a dedicated WhatsApp group for ongoing communication. Most organisations are expected to be fully operational under the new model within a month.

The launch is part of Tianlong’s long-term vision to develop an integrated accounting operating system for Singaporean companies. This future platform aims to combine AI-powered preparatory work with structured human review, providing businesses with a comprehensive ecosystem for bookkeeping, compliance, and financial reporting. “Our goal is to bridge automation with accountability,” a Tianlong Services representative stated, highlighting the need for accounting systems to evolve alongside regulatory changes and business growth.

Comfee, renowned as Germany’s top air conditioner brand, has launched its latest product, the Comfee Gusto, aimed at young consumers in Malaysia. With the increasing pressure on young Malaysians to set up new homes or upgrade existing ones, there is a growing demand for modern, high-quality, and affordable appliances. Comfee Gusto addresses this need by offering air conditioners that combine advanced functionality with excellent value, enhancing everyday comfort and efficiency.

The Comfee Gusto is designed with the philosophy of “cooling smart with style,” integrating sleek modern aesthetics with intelligent features. This approach aligns with the core values of the younger generation, focusing on efficiency, convenience, and value. The brand aims to provide solutions that not only meet the functional needs of young consumers but also resonate with their lifestyle aspirations.

Comfee’s entry into the Malaysian market is significant as it caters to a demographic that prioritises smart and stylish home solutions. The Gusto model is expected to become a popular choice for those looking to upgrade their living spaces with appliances that offer both performance and aesthetic appeal.

As the demand for smarter home solutions continues to rise, Comfee’s Gusto air conditioner positions itself as a must-consider option for young Malaysians seeking to enhance their home environment.

AWC Berhad, a leading engineering services group, has been awarded a RM42.3m contract by Gamuda Engineering for a hyperscale data centre project at Eco Business Park V in Puncak Alam, Selangor. The contract, managed by AWC’s subsidiary Qudotech, involves cold water, rainwater harvesting, and sanitary system works, starting on 8 December 2025 and concluding by 1 September 2027.

This marks the second data centre project AWC has secured from Gamuda, following the successful completion of their first project last month. The Group’s CEO, Ahmad Kabeer bin Mohamed Nagoor, expressed confidence in their ability to deliver on schedule, noting the contract’s size is more than double that of their previous project. “We appreciate the continued confidence shown by Gamuda,” he stated.

AWC’s cumulative job wins for FY26 have surpassed RM424m, highlighting the company’s robust growth and promising outlook. The Group’s order book stood at RM528m as of September 2025, excluding seven additional contracts worth RM412.3m secured after that date.

AWC Berhad, headquartered in Subang Jaya, operates across four key divisions: facilities management, environment, engineering, and rail. The company is well-positioned in Malaysia’s burgeoning data centre sector, which is still in its early development stages. With a healthy order book and favourable industry conditions, AWC anticipates continued success in the coming years.

AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of “aa-” (Superior) for the life and health insurance subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC). The ratings, which remain stable, reflect the company’s very strong balance sheet, strong operating performance, and favourable business profile.

MFC’s balance sheet strength is highlighted by its robust risk-adjusted capital position, as measured by the Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test and Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio. The company has strategically used debt and other financing channels whilst maintaining moderate financial leverage. Over recent years, MFC has derisked its business by reinsuring billions in low return-on-equity and non-core business lines, particularly in long-term care insurance.

The company’s stable earnings are supported by a diverse business model, including a wide range of insurance and wealth management products, and a strong market presence across Asia, Canada, and the US. AM Best also noted MFC’s very strong enterprise risk management, which supports its overall business strategy.

Despite these strengths, MFC still faces exposure to non-core business lines, including long-term care and universal life with secondary guarantees. However, AM Best acknowledges MFC’s prudent management of these areas through loss prevention, policy conversion, and conservative reserving practices.

Looking ahead, MFC’s strategic initiatives, such as the implementation of generative artificial intelligence and its entry into the Indian life insurance market through a joint venture, present additional execution risks but also potential growth opportunities.

Chris Colahan has been appointed as the Head of Commercial Property & Casualty for Chubb in the Asia Pacific region, effective 9 February 2026. In his new role, Colahan will oversee the operations of Chubb’s Commercial Property & Casualty portfolio across the region, reporting to Marcos Gunn, Regional President of Chubb Overseas General, Asia Pacific, and Brian Church, Division President, Property & Casualty, Chubb Overseas General.

Colahan’s appointment is a strategic move for Chubb as it seeks to strengthen its presence in the Asia Pacific market. With a robust background in the insurance industry, Colahan previously served as the Regional President for Asia Pacific at AIG and held senior positions at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance and RSA Insurance. His extensive experience and understanding of the region are expected to drive Chubb’s growth and enhance its service offerings.

Marcos Gunn expressed confidence in Colahan’s leadership, stating, “We are delighted that Chris is joining the Chubb team. He is a proven industry leader, with an extensive and deep understanding of the region, which will be invaluable as we continue to build our business in Asia Pacific.”

Chubb, a global leader in insurance, operates in 54 countries and territories, providing a wide range of insurance products and services. The company is known for its strong financial standing and comprehensive distribution capabilities. As Colahan steps into his new role, Chubb anticipates continued success and innovation in its Property & Casualty business under his guidance.