Industry News

Bettr, a financial services provider under Ant International, has launched its advanced credit tech solutions to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets. By the end of October 2025, Bettr’s solutions had enabled over 30 million users to access credit services, marking a threefold increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by the need for tailored credit services in emerging markets, where MSMEs play a crucial role in economic development.

The solutions feature an AI-driven credit engine that significantly reduces the time required for deploying credit policies—from weeks to mere minutes. This innovation is part of Bettr’s comprehensive offerings, which include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Risk-as-a-Service (RaaS), and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS). These services help digital platforms enhance customer engagement and drive sustainable revenue growth.

A key aspect of Bettr’s strategy is its partnership with Dock, a Brazilian payments and banking technology provider. This collaboration aims to expand the deployment of Bettr’s credit solutions across Latin America, starting in Brazil. Dock’s CEO, Antonio Soares, highlighted the potential for these solutions to empower local entrepreneurs and drive financial inclusion.

Quan Yu, General Manager of Global Credit Services at Ant International, emphasised the importance of equipping digital platforms with the necessary tools to embed credit services directly into their ecosystems. This approach aims to reach underserved MSMEs efficiently and sustainably, with plans to expand its impact across 20 markets.

CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) has announced the appointment of Kishore Moorjani as Chief Executive Officer of Alternatives, Private Funds, effective 18 November 2025. Moorjani will also serve as Chairman of CLI India, where he will provide strategic leadership and governance oversight. His role will involve spearheading CLI’s Alternatives business, including credit strategies, and managing growth across multiple real estate asset classes.

Moorjani brings a wealth of experience to CLI, having previously founded LXA, a mortgage asset manager focused on residential mortgage opportunities in Asia. He also spent nearly 15 years at Blackstone, where he was Senior Managing Director and Asia Head of the Tactical Opportunities Fund. His extensive background includes leadership roles at Highbridge Capital in Hong Kong and Colony Capital Taiwan, where he managed significant loan portfolio acquisitions.

In his new role, Moorjani will be a key member of CLI’s senior leadership team, tasked with shaping and leading the global strategy for new private fund products and platforms. His mandate includes asset-backed alternative strategies across credit, insurance solutions, secondaries, and private equity.

Moorjani holds a BBA (Honours) and an MBA in Real Estate Finance from the Schulich School of Business, York University in Toronto. His appointment is expected to drive CLI’s growth strategies and expand its footprint in the alternatives sector.

Yangzijiang Maritime Development Ltd., a maritime financial solutions provider, made a strong debut on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on 18 November 2025. The company’s shares closed at $0.49 (S$0.67), marking an 11.7% increase from the placement price of $0.44 (S$0.60). This debut follows a spin-off from Yangzijiang Financial Holding Ltd.

The trading day saw Yangzijiang Maritime’s shares open at $0.48 (S$0.66), a 10% premium over the placement price, and reach an intraday high of $0.52 (S$0.71). Approximately 58 million shares were traded, contributing to a market capitalisation of $1.71b (S$2.34b). The company also raised $3.80m (S$5.2m) through a private placement of 8,638,000 shares.

Ren Yuanlin, Executive Chairman and CEO of Yangzijiang Maritime, expressed pride in the listing, highlighting it as a milestone in the company’s growth. “This achievement underscores our commitment to building a focused, high-quality maritime investment platform,” he stated.

SAC Capital Private Limited served as the issue manager, with iCapital Holdings (SG) Pte. Ltd. as the listing consultant. Ong Hwee Li, CEO of SAC Capital, noted the strong market participation and investor interest, reflecting confidence in the company’s fundamentals and growth prospects.

Vincent Toe, CEO of iCapital Holdings, described the listing as a “momentous occasion” for Yangzijiang Maritime, marking a new chapter of growth and independence. The company aims to leverage its robust network and disciplined capital management to drive long-term value in the maritime industry.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and GlobalFoundries (GF) have announced a Master Research Collaboration Agreement (MRCA) to propel advancements in silicon photonics technologies. This partnership aims to enhance Singapore’s standing as a pivotal hub in the global semiconductor supply chain, leveraging the nation’s early investments in this sector.

Silicon photonics, crucial for ultra-fast and energy-efficient data transfer, is foundational for next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) systems. A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME) initiated Singapore’s silicon photonics research and development programme in 2007. This was followed by the National Research Foundation’s backing of the Lux Photonics Consortium in 2015, which united industry, academia, and research institutions in photonics.

The collaboration between A*STAR and GF is set to deepen with the MRCA, highlighting GF’s commitment to expanding its production and research operations in Singapore. The recent acquisition of Advanced Micro Foundry (AMF) by GF is expected to accelerate the development of Singapore’s silicon photonics operations, enhancing supply chain resilience and aligning with the country’s ambition to be a leader in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Beh Kian Teik, CEO of A*STAR, stated, “Impactful innovation is about how ideas take shape in A*STAR’s labs, and scale to meet real industry needs.” Gregg Bartlett, CTO at GlobalFoundries, added, “Singapore’s strong semiconductor ecosystem makes it an ideal place for us to further develop our silicon photonics platform.”

This strategic move is part of Singapore’s broader investment of over $730m (S$1b) in semiconductor research and development, focusing on areas such as silicon photonics, advanced packaging, and silicon carbide. The collaboration promises to deliver new economic opportunities and reinforce Singapore’s position in the global semiconductor landscape.

Leasing contracts for private residential properties in Singapore surged by 24.2% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2025, reaching 26,882 contracts, according to Savills Singapore. This marks the highest quarterly volume in four years, driven by seasonal factors such as the start of the academic year for international schools. The increase also represents a 3.2% year-on-year rise from the same period last year.

Landed homes saw the most significant growth with a 36.4% increase, whilst non-landed units grew by 23.6%. The Outside Central Region (OCR) led the non-landed segment with a 24.6% rise, followed by the Rest of Central Region (RCR) and Core Central Region (CCR) with gains of 24.2% and 21.7%, respectively.

Despite the robust leasing activity, the number of Employment Pass holders has been declining, dropping from 205,400 in December 2023 to 201,200 by June 2025. Alan Cheong, Executive Director of Research and Consultancy at Savills Singapore, noted, “All may be well with the leasing market for now, but the road ahead is clouded by business uncertainty.”

Normanton Park emerged as the top non-landed residential project with 199 leasing contracts, overtaking The Sail @ Marina Bay, which fell to third place with 156 leases. Midtown Modern, completed in Q1 2025, ranked second, benefiting from its connectivity to Bugis Interchange MRT Station and local amenities.

Looking forward, the rental market may face moderation due to ongoing business uncertainties and economic factors. Although the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s rental index increased by 2.4% year-to-date, private residential rents are expected to remain flat for the remainder of 2025.

Swissquote Singapore, the Asia-Pacific hub of Switzerland’s leading digital bank, has successfully integrated the OpenWealth API at its Singapore booking centre. This development aims to enhance connectivity with External Asset Managers (EAMs), Multi-Family Offices (MFOs), and institutional clients across the region. The integration, facilitated by Synpulse, leverages OpenWealth standards to streamline wealth management services.

The OpenWealth API framework, developed in Switzerland, addresses industry challenges such as fragmented data exchanges and manual onboarding processes. It provides standardised APIs for custody services, client lifecycle management, and order placement, enabling secure and seamless integration between custodians and wealth management intermediaries. Rafael Weber, Head of Institutional Clients at Swissquote Singapore, stated, “Our clients value independence, flexibility, and efficiency, and that’s exactly what OpenWealth helps us deliver.”

Swissquote Singapore has rapidly grown into a trusted digital custodian for over 70 EAMs, MFOs, and funds in Singapore and Hong Kong SAR. Its platform offers trading access to over three million capital market products and supports various structures, including VCC funds and Private Placement Life Insurance policies. Operating under an execution-only model, Swissquote Singapore eliminates conflicts of interest, providing a robust independent private wealth management platform.

Yves Roesti, CEO of Synpulse Group, commented on the collaboration, saying, “This milestone demonstrates the power of collaboration in transforming wealth connectivity.” Since its launch in 2020, the OpenWealth Association has expanded to include over 60 members, including global private banks and fintechs. Swissquote’s adoption of OpenWealth sets a new standard for API-driven collaboration in Asia’s wealth management sector.

MetaOptics Ltd, a Singapore-based semiconductor optics company, has announced its intention to pursue a dual listing on the NASDAQ stock exchange in New York. This strategic move is designed to provide MetaOptics with access to a broader range of investors, including institutional and private investors in the US, thereby enhancing its ability to raise capital and explore strategic investments such as mergers and acquisitions.

The company believes that listing on NASDAQ will not only improve the trading liquidity of its securities but also bolster its metalens design and fabrication capabilities in the US. This proximity to potential key customers is expected to support the advancement of next-generation optical technologies across various sectors.

MetaOptics is currently in the process of appointing professional advisers, including a lead underwriter, legal adviser, and external auditor, to facilitate the listing process. However, the company cautions that the proposed listing is still in its preliminary stages and subject to due diligence, regulatory approvals, and market conditions.

MetaOptics, known for its pioneering glass-based metalens solutions enhanced by AI-driven image processing, is headquartered in Singapore. It leverages advanced optical design and a scalable 12-inch DUV lithography process to power applications in mobile, augmented reality, virtual reality, automotive, and other emerging markets. The company remains committed to keeping its shareholders informed as the listing process progresses.

Bloomberg’s inaugural Code Crunch Hackathon in Singapore concluded with students from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and financial institutions like the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and AIA presenting AI-driven solutions to real-world financial challenges. Held on 29 October 2025, the event aimed to foster innovation and collaboration within the finance and quant community.

Participants utilised Bloomberg’s BQuant, a Python-based data science platform, to develop tools enhancing investment decision-making. The hackathon featured two groups: NTU students and industry professionals. Students focused on creating indicators for market behaviour, with Team CodeQuants winning for their Cross-Asset Divergence Indicator, which provides early warnings of systemic stress.

Industry teams tackled challenges using AI and machine learning. MAS’s PULSE dashboard, which analyses Bloomberg News articles for macroeconomic sentiment, won the Judges’ Pick. Robeco’s credit cross-currency solution earned the BQuant Mastermind award, whilst MAS and AIA received Most Popular Awards for their innovative tools. Singlife, Modular, and LGT Investment Management were recognised for their originality with Quantributor Awards.

Kelvin Cen, Head of Southeast Asia at Bloomberg, noted, “The finance industry is always looking for ways to harness AI and machine learning to make better, more informed investment decisions.” The hackathon underscores Bloomberg’s commitment to nurturing talent and advancing quantitative research through its BQuant platforms.

Willis, a WTW business, has announced the appointment of Anthony Wong as Head of Casualty in Asia, effective immediately. Based in Singapore, Wong will be part of the Property & Casualty business in Asia and will report to Paul Ward, Head of P&C Asia at Willis.

Wong transitions from his role in the Asia Large Account Practice, where he worked with key clients across the region. Ward commented on the appointment, stating, “Anthony’s speciality expertise and leadership in managing complex risk portfolios make him an outstanding addition to our team. His knowledge and experience will undoubtedly enhance our ability to deliver exceptional casualty solutions to our large and complex clients across Asia.”

With two decades of experience in insurance and risk management, Wong previously served as a risk manager for a leading Asian conglomerate. His extensive career includes work across retail, real estate, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and power and utilities sectors. Wong has held various positions with global insurance carriers, focusing on large and complex international casualty programmes.

Wong’s appointment is expected to strengthen Willis’s capability in delivering tailored casualty solutions to meet the diverse needs of its clients across Asia.

CBRE has announced the relaunch of the freehold Upper Serangoon Shopping Centre for sale by public tender, presenting a significant opportunity for developers. Situated at 756 Upper Serangoon Road, the site is strategically located near the Serangoon MRT station, offering a mixed-use development potential with both commercial and residential units.

The site, located in District 19, comprises two land plots with a combined area of 51,086 square feet. Under the 2019 Master Plan, one plot is designated for “Commercial and Residential” use with a gross plot ratio (GPR) of 3.0, whilst the other is zoned for “Residential” with a GPR of 2.8. The development has a verified gross floor area (GFA) of 176,792 square feet and allows for building heights up to 36 storeys.

Michael Tay, Singapore Advisory Deputy Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets at CBRE, highlighted the strong sales momentum for new residential launches in 2025, driven by lower interest rates and demand from HDB upgraders. Clemence Lee, Executive Director of Singapore Capital Markets at CBRE, noted the site’s appeal due to its affluent surroundings, proximity to amenities, and strong leasing demand.

The guide price for the site is set at $190m (S$260m), translating to $1,075 (S$1,471) per square foot on the existing GFA. The public tender will close on 3 December 2025 at 3:00 pm. This sale comes as the area is poised for transformation with the relocation of Paya Lebar Airbase, promising future capital appreciation.