Industry News

AIA Singapore’s latest Live Better Study has uncovered a paradox in the relationship between technology and wellbeing among Singapore residents. Whilst 71% of participants acknowledge that digital tools enhance their quality of life, many feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and platforms available. Conducted from December 2025 to January 2026, the study highlights the stress caused by technology in managing financial, physical, mental, and social wellbeing.

The study found that 56% of residents feel inundated by the number of financial tools, with 54% struggling to manage multiple accounts. This has led to a demand for more integrated financial management tools, especially among Gen Zs. In terms of physical wellbeing, whilst 69% feel more in control using fitness trackers, 44% report stress when targets are not met.

Mental wellbeing also faces challenges, with only 60% of residents trusting AI’s influence positively. Concerns about AI include privacy issues (41%) and misinformation (39%). Despite digital tools helping 70% feel socially connected, 46% still experience social isolation, particularly Gen Zs.

Irma Hadikusuma, AIA Singapore’s Chief Marketing and Healthcare Officer, stated, “Digital tools must fundamentally serve as enablers and not become sources of added stress.” The study suggests a need for more human-centric digital solutions to support holistic wellbeing, as residents seek to balance the benefits and challenges of technology in their lives.

OCBC has unveiled a groundbreaking generative AI-powered training programme for its 900 wealth advisers in Singapore. This initiative, part of the bank’s ‘whole-of-wealth’ strategy, aims to enhance skills in investment advisory, client management, product mastery, and wealth planning over six months. The AI-driven approach replaces traditional in-person training, which was often delayed due to supervisor availability, ensuring consistent and high-standard training.

The programme, developed over a year using large language models and OCBC’s proprietary insights, simulates realistic customer scenarios. Advisers can practise these scenarios repeatedly, receiving AI-generated feedback reports that highlight areas for improvement. This allows supervisors to provide more targeted in-person coaching, helping advisers build confidence and skills more rapidly.

Since its launch, the programme has shown promising results. Advisers who participated reported double the number of weekly client appointments and a 50% increase in revenue compared to those not yet trained. The realism of the scenarios and consistent feedback were key to this improvement.

OCBC plans to expand the programme to Malaysia and Hong Kong, tailoring content to local market needs. Sunny Quek, OCBC’s Head of Global Consumer Financial Services, emphasised the programme’s role in combining AI precision with human empathy to meet evolving customer needs. Wealth adviser Ng Zuolin noted the programme’s effectiveness in boosting her confidence and skills, highlighting its potential to transform wealth advisory training.

Chronic back pain affects one in 12 adults in Singapore, costing the economy an estimated S$3.5b annually, according to Chiropractic Studio Singapore. The organisation has published a book titled “Too Busy For Back Pain” aimed at helping young working adults manage and prevent spinal issues through simple exercises.

The book highlights that more than 50% of individuals aged 30 to 39 already experience spinal disc degeneration, often without symptoms. This condition is exacerbated by modern sedentary lifestyles, leading to postural problems such as Tech Neck and Bowling Ball Head. These issues contribute to high rates of absenteeism and presenteeism, significantly impacting workplace productivity.

Jason Rutkauskas, principal chiropractor at Chiropractic Studio Singapore, emphasises the importance of early intervention. “Having treated many young adults with avoidable back pain, I decided to pen down what I knew about the spine, how it works, and how to keep it healthy,” he said. The book proposes five exercises that can be completed in five minutes, designed to be easily integrated into daily routines.

The chiropractic approach focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal itself, contrasting with traditional medical practices that often rely on medication or surgery. By addressing misalignments in the musculoskeletal system, chiropractic care aims to improve overall health and prevent conditions like back pain, headaches, and sleeplessness.

Addepar, a global data and AI platform for investment professionals, has announced the opening of its new office in Singapore, marking the city-state as its Asia Pacific (APAC) hub. This strategic move underscores Addepar’s commitment to expanding its presence in the region, where its client base has grown over 130% in the past two years. The office, located in the Marina Bay Financial Centre, will allow Addepar to deepen client support and continue developing products tailored for APAC investment professionals.

The decision to establish a hub in Singapore reflects the company’s confidence in the city as a leading global financial centre and a gateway to the fast-growing investment ecosystem in APAC. Eric Poirier, CEO of Addepar, stated, “Establishing our APAC hub here reflects our commitment to the region and positions us to better deliver the global infrastructure and data-driven insights investment professionals need to operate at scale and make more informed decisions.”

The expansion is supported by local partnerships, including an investment from EDBI, the investment arm of SG Growth Capital, during Addepar’s 2025 Series G financing round. Charmaine Kng, Partner at EDBI, expressed support for Addepar’s move, highlighting the potential for the company to contribute to Singapore’s financial ecosystem.

With over 1,400 firms in 60 countries using Addepar to manage $9t in assets, the new Singapore hub strengthens the company’s ability to serve clients globally, enhancing decision-making capabilities for investment professionals worldwide.

Singapore has been ranked first in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region for digital resilience, according to a report by Economist Impact, supported by Telstra International. Despite this top ranking, the report identifies significant gaps in leadership accountability and ecosystem coordination, which leave organisations vulnerable to disruptions.

The research, based on a survey of 1,420 senior executives across 11 APAC markets, shows that whilst Singapore excels in risk management and workforce agility, execution often falls short of intent. Only 12% of organisations mandate training for adaptability during live outages, and 71% of boards do not regularly review digital resilience plans, leaving these responsibilities siloed within specific functions.

Charles Ross, Head of Policy and Insights, APAC, Economist Impact, stated, “Singapore’s top ranking is a testament to its gold-standard regulatory environment. However, our research shows that strong compliance and operational discipline are not enough.”

The report also highlights that only 22% of Singaporean organisations have visibility into their suppliers’ digital resilience, indicating a weak link in ecosystem coordination. Roary Stasko, CEO of Telstra International, emphasised the need for shared accountability across partners and networks, stating, “Digital resilience today is no longer something any business can build alone.”

As Singapore continues to face rising digital risks, the report suggests that bridging the gap between compliance and operational agility is crucial for future resilience. This involves embedding digital resilience into strategy, governance, and ecosystem design to better prepare for disruptions.

Sunwave has made a significant impact at the inaugural GITEX Asia 2026, held at Marina Bay Sands, by showcasing its latest wireless solutions and announcing an upgrade to its International Headquarters (IHQ) in Singapore. This strategic move aims to bolster its service and delivery capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region.

At the event, Sunwave introduced its All-in-One Site solution, designed for rapid deployment in remote and temporary locations. This innovative system integrates satellite backhaul, private 5G, edge computing, and IoT, enabling network rollout in approximately 30 minutes. The solution is ideal for mining operations, construction sites, and large-scale events, significantly reducing deployment time and operational complexity.

Additionally, Sunwave unveiled several new products to enhance network performance and flexibility. These include the nCELLM integrated base station, which combines baseband and radio units with a built-in 5G gateway, and a compact 5G Femto solution for indoor and fragmented coverage scenarios. In the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) segment, the company introduced the H3RU, supporting 700-4200 MHz wideband coverage, and the N3 Plus, a compact system with multiband MIMO ORAN architecture.

The upgrade of Sunwave’s Singapore IHQ is expected to enhance localised support, solution validation, and cross-regional coordination, improving responsiveness and delivery efficiency across APAC markets. Sunwave’s debut at GITEX Asia marks a further step in expanding its regional footprint, with a continued focus on enabling fast, flexible, and sustainable connectivity solutions.

Singapore’s economy demonstrated resilience in the first quarter of 2026, achieving a 4.6% year-on-year growth despite facing increased imported cost pressures, according to the SGX Research report. This growth aligns with businesses prioritising margin protection and operational resilience in a challenging global environment. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has adjusted the rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar to counter rising energy costs and broader price pressures.

In April, net institutional inflows into Singapore stocks were led by the Industrials, Technology, and Utilities sectors. Within Technology, companies involved in semiconductor manufacturing and testing, such as AEM Holdings and UMS Holdings, saw significant inflows. Sembcorp Industries emerged as a leader in net institutional inflows, whilst Oiltek International recorded the highest share-price gains among the top 30 stocks with substantial institutional interest.

Sembcorp Industries, with its extensive energy platform, is nearing its consensus target price of S$6.92. The company boasts around 28 gigawatts of gross capacity, including renewable energy projects and a critical gas generation platform. This capacity provides cash-flow visibility across regions such as Singapore, South Asia, and the UK.

Oiltek International’s share price surged to over S$2.00, driven by improved liquidity and a significant agreement for a Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility in Sabah. This agreement, valued at US$350m, is expected to boost Oiltek’s order book significantly, pending regulatory approvals and financing.

These developments highlight Singapore’s strategic focus on sectors with tangible output and resilience, positioning the economy to navigate external challenges effectively.

Yangzijiang Maritime Development Ltd. has announced the successful securing of leasing agreements for 13 vessels, including 12 oil, chemical, and product tankers, and one anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel. These agreements, with durations ranging from one to eight years, collectively amount to a contract value of US$89.8m. This strategic move is expected to bolster the company’s financial performance over the lease periods.

The company, known for its distinctive structural cost advantages and deep shipbuilding expertise, aims to optimise investment returns through disciplined asset selection and prudent credit risk management. The leasing agreements are anticipated to generate recurring income, contributing positively to the Group’s financial results, provided no unforeseen circumstances arise.

Yangzijiang Maritime’s robust business model is supported by its extensive international maritime network, allowing it to capitalise on favourable maritime market conditions. The company leverages strategic connections with Chinese shipyards to secure newbuild slots at discounted prices, enabling it to procure vessels up to 20% below prevailing market rates.

Ren Yuanlin, Executive Chairman and CEO of Yangzijiang Maritime, highlighted the resilient outlook for the maritime industry, driven by structural shifts in trade dynamics and geopolitical tensions. He noted, “The contraction in constrained shipyard capacity and sustained demand from global trade flows have necessitated a vital fleet renewal cycle.”

With a growing fleet of 85 vessels, including newbuilding orders, Yangzijiang Maritime is well-positioned to seize opportunities in the global maritime industry, supported by a strong financial position and a net cash reserve of US$400.4m as of 31 December 2025.

Huttons Asia has provided insights into the recent bidding for the Miltonia Close Executive Condominium (EC) site, where Hoi Hup Realty Pte Ltd emerged as the top bidder with an offer of $732 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr). This marks the first EC site in the area since 2014, when two parcels at Yishun Street 51 were sold and developed into Signature at Yishun and The Criterion, both of which have seen significant gains since their 2015 launch.

The demand for ECs remains robust, as evidenced by the successful sales of Coastal Cabana and Rivelle Tampines. Many first-time buyers are now favouring EC units over Build-To-Order (BTO) flats for a better lifestyle. With over 4,000 flats in Yishun set to fulfil their five-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) between 2025 and 2027, a substantial pool of potential buyers is anticipated for the Miltonia Close EC.

Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, noted that if the income ceiling for ECs is raised, it could further expand the pool of eligible buyers. Yishun is currently undergoing significant transformation, which is expected to benefit residents in the long term. Plans are underway to revitalise train stations on the North-South line, with Yishun as the pilot project.

Although the Miltonia Close site is not directly adjacent to an MRT station, it is a short bus ride from Khatib MRT, where a new mall is planned at Chencharu Close. The site is also near a new housing precinct by Lower Seletar Reservoir, promising more amenities in the future.

Singlife has partnered with Singapore Management University (SMU) to advance research on retirement readiness and develop actuarial science talent in Singapore. This collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, was announced at the launch of SMU’s Longevity Societies and Economies Institute on 14 April 2026. The initiative seeks to address the challenges posed by Singapore’s rapidly ageing population by focusing on retirement adequacy and the financial needs arising from increased healthcare costs and longer lifespans.

The partnership will leverage SMU’s academic expertise and Singlife’s industry insights to produce a joint white paper by the second half of 2027. This research aims to provide practical solutions for Singaporeans facing retirement challenges. According to the Singlife Financial Freedom Index 2024, 71% of respondents lack confidence in their ability to retire at their desired time, with a significant gap between expected retirement expenses and current savings.

In addition to research, the collaboration will explore opportunities to nurture future actuarial talent through scholarships, internships, and training initiatives. This effort is part of a broader strategy by SMU’s Longevity Societies and Economies Institute to foster partnerships across various sectors to tackle complex societal issues.

Debra Soon, Group Head of Brand, Communications, Marketing and Experience at Singlife, emphasised the importance of combining customer insights with academic rigour to address evolving retirement needs. Dr. Cheong Wei Yang, Interim Co-Director of SMU LSEI, highlighted the partnership’s role in shaping the perspectives of future actuarial talent and enhancing financial security in retirement.

This collaboration underscores the necessity of a multi-faceted approach to address the challenges of a super-aged society, aiming to improve retirement adequacy and support ageing well in place.