Industry News

Manulife Singapore has introduced the Signature Indexed Universal Life Select (III), a pioneering insurance solution designed to offer high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) enhanced growth potential and robust protection amidst economic volatility. This first-in-market product provides access to five globally recognised indices, including the S&P 500, Hang Seng, and Euro Stoxx 50, allowing for extensive portfolio diversification.

The new policy, SIULS (III), is crafted to help HNWIs preserve, grow, and transfer wealth across generations. It features a 0% return floor to protect investments from market downturns and an Automatic Premium Spread (APS) option that smooths market fluctuations by distributing index allocations over 12 months. Thomas Lee, Chief Product Officer of Manulife Singapore, emphasised the importance of resilient financial strategies, stating, “Traditional investment strategies alone may no longer suffice.”

SIULS (III) addresses the increasing demand for diversification and safer assets, as highlighted by a Lombard Odier report indicating that 56% of Singapore’s HNWIs are adopting such strategies. The policy offers competitive returns, with participation rates varying by index and a loyalty bonus of 0.8% per annum from Policy Year 11 onwards. It also includes whole life coverage for death and terminal illness.

The policy’s flexibility allows for premium adjustments and penalty-free withdrawals from Policy Year 11. Policyholders can shift premiums between Fixed and Index Accounts, adapting to market conditions and personal financial goals. This adaptability ensures continued growth potential in unpredictable financial climates.

For more information, visit Manulife Singapore’s website.
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Knight Frank Singapore’s latest report reveals a significant rise in auction listings for Q1 2025, with a 51.1% increase from the same period last year. The report, led by Sharon Lee, Head of Auction & Sales, highlights the potential impact of global tariffs and a looming trade war on the property market.

The number of auction listings rose to 136, marking a 7.1% quarter-on-quarter increase. This surge was unexpected given the typical slowdown during Chinese New Year. Mortgagee sales dominated the listings, with 83 compared to 43 owner sales. Residential properties accounted for 45.6% of the listings, whilst industrial properties made up 23.5%.

The success rate for auctions improved to 5.1%, with seven properties sold, generating a total gross sale value of $8.7 million (S$11.9 million). Notably, a two-bedder flat in D’Ecosia fetched a 14.7% premium over its opening price.

The report attributes the rise in mortgagee sales to the delayed effects of high interest rates from 2023 and 2024. Residential mortgagee listings increased from 25 to 37, whilst commercial and industrial mortgagee listings remained steady.

Looking ahead, Knight Frank anticipates continued growth in mortgagee sales throughout 2025, driven by financial stress from prolonged high interest rates and potential global economic disruptions. Despite current buyer interest, the market may face challenges as uncertainties persist. Knight Frank maintains an auction success rate projection of around 5% for the year.
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Cushman & Wakefield has announced the sale of a freehold bungalow on Swiss Club Road, Singapore, priced at $18.5 million. The property, located in the prestigious Swiss Club GCB enclave, is available through an Expression of Interest campaign closing on 3 June 2025.

The bungalow sits on an elevated 846.9 square metre plot, offering privacy and architectural flexibility. Currently, a two-storey dwelling occupies the land, which can be used immediately or redeveloped. The price translates to approximately $2,029 per square foot, making it an attractive entry point into one of Singapore’s most exclusive residential areas.

Despite its tranquil setting, the property boasts excellent connectivity via major roads and expressways, and is near King Albert Park and Sixth Avenue MRT stations. It is also conveniently located near popular destinations such as Orchard Road and Holland Village. Families will benefit from its proximity to top schools, including Methodist Girls’ School and Hwa Chong Institution.

Shaun Poh, Executive Director of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield, stated, “We continue to see very strong demand for prime landed homes, especially those with solid fundamentals. Houses in this enclave are tightly held and rarely available. The Property ticks all the boxes: freehold status, a prestigious address, and a regular-shaped, elevated site.”

The property’s strategic location, coupled with upcoming developments like the Cross Island Line, enhances its investment appeal.
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Suntec REIT and CapitaLand Ascott Trust have both demonstrated resilience in their recent financial performances, according to reports by Maybank IBG Research. Suntec REIT reported a 3.4% year-on-year increase in its first-quarter distribution per unit (DPU), driven by operational improvements and reduced financing costs. Meanwhile, CapitaLand Ascott Trust saw a 4% rise in gross profit for the same period, attributed to accretive recycling and enhanced property performance.

Suntec REIT’s occupancy rates remained stable, with positive rent reversions in both office and retail sectors, although these are moderating. The company’s debt metrics are stable, with a reduction in debt costs due to lower refinancing rates. Analyst Krishna Guha maintains a “Hold” recommendation on Suntec REIT, citing its fair valuation with a 5.5% yield and a price-to-book ratio of 0.6.

CapitaLand Ascott Trust, on the other hand, is focusing on resilience by enhancing its asset portfolio. Despite challenges from increased operating expenses, the trust’s revenue per available unit (RevPAU) grew by 4% year-on-year, largely due to higher occupancy rates. However, the absence of major events in Singapore led to a decline in RevPAU on a same-store basis. The trust’s gearing increased due to ongoing asset enhancements, but debt cost and coverage ratios remained stable. Guha recommends a “Buy” for CapitaLand Ascott Trust, highlighting its focus on reconstitution and stable distribution.

Both Suntec REIT and CapitaLand Ascott Trust are navigating market challenges with strategic initiatives aimed at maintaining stability and growth. As they continue to adapt, their performances will be closely watched by investors seeking resilient investment opportunities in the real estate sector.
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Thunes, a Singaporean B2B fintech firm, has successfully raised $150 million in its Series D funding round, led by Apis Partners and Vitruvian Partners. This marks the largest funding round in Thunes’ history, achieved amidst challenging capital market conditions. The company plans to use the funds to accelerate its expansion in the United States, having recently acquired licences across 50 states, pending regulatory approval.

The funding will also bolster Thunes’ Direct Global Network, which currently spans 130 countries, 80 currencies, and 550 direct integrations, facilitating real-time payments in complex markets. As the cross-border payments market grows towards a $150 trillion opportunity, Thunes is well-positioned to capture a significant share. CEO Floris de Kort stated, “Thunes’ latest funding round is a clear validation of our strategy and our commitment to sustainable growth.”

Apis Partners’ Matteo Stefanel praised Thunes for revolutionising global cross-border payments through robust technology and financial strategy. “Thunes’ impressive growth record and positive EBITDA performance even in these unprecedented times clearly underpin the trust of its Members and their ability to scale effectively,” he said.

Vitruvian Partners’ Tassilo Arnhold expressed pride in partnering with Thunes, highlighting the company’s strategic vision and commitment to innovation. “We are delighted to support Thunes in their mission to continuously set and exceed industry benchmarks,” Arnhold commented.

With this new capital, Thunes aims to redefine global cross-border payment standards, driving growth and innovation in the fintech landscape.
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Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index has revealed a significant shift in Singapore’s business landscape, driven by the integration of AI agents. The report, based on a survey of 31,000 people across 31 countries, highlights the emergence of ‘Frontier Firms’—organisations that leverage AI to redefine traditional structures and enhance productivity. This transformation is crucial as 81% of Singapore’s workforce reports lacking sufficient time or energy to complete their tasks.

The data indicates a growing confidence among Singaporean leaders, with 82% planning to use AI agents to expand workforce capacity within the next 12–18 months. Andrea Della Mattea, President of Microsoft ASEAN, noted, “AI is fundamentally changing the way we work across Asia, making organisations smarter, faster, and more impactful.”

AI’s rise is reshaping organisational charts into more dynamic ‘Work Charts’, where teams are outcome-focused rather than function-based. Over half of Singapore’s leaders are already utilising AI to automate workflows, surpassing the global average. Employees are increasingly viewing AI as a thought partner, with 47% treating it as such, whilst 51% still see it as a command-based tool.

The report also predicts that within two to five years, every organisation will begin transitioning towards becoming a Frontier Firm. Singaporean leaders are prioritising digital labour expansion and upskilling, with 80% considering new AI-focused roles. This proactive approach positions Singapore at the forefront of AI-driven transformation in the region.

As AI continues to democratise expertise, Singapore’s businesses are poised to outperform traditional competitors in innovation and efficiency. The findings suggest that early adoption of AI agents in the Asia Pacific region could offer significant competitive advantages over the next decade.
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The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has forecasted a significant slowdown in Singapore’s economic growth for 2025, projecting a range of 0.0% to 2.0%.

This comes as part of the April 2025 Macroeconomic Review, which also anticipates a global GDP growth reduction to 2.0-2.5%, down from 3.2% in 2024. The slowdown is attributed to the impact of higher US import tariffs affecting both domestic and international markets.

The review highlights a slight increase in global headline inflation, now estimated at 2.3% for 2025, up from 2.1% in 2024. This adjustment is largely due to tariff-induced inflation in the US, although offset by deflationary pressures elsewhere, particularly in China. The average Brent crude oil price forecast has been revised down to $68 per barrel, aligning with current market prices.

MAS maintains its forecast for core and headline inflation in Singapore to average between 0.5% and 1.5% in 2025, with a tendency towards the lower end of this range. Core inflation is expected to average around 0.8% for the year, whilst headline inflation is projected to be slightly higher at 1.0%.

A UOB Macro Note suggests that the economic outlook for Singapore is more negative compared to previous assessments, with the output gap expected to turn negative at -0.5% of potential GDP. This has led to speculation that MAS may adjust its monetary policy stance to a zero percent appreciation, potentially flattening the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate (S$NEER) slope in the upcoming July 2025 Monetary Policy Statement.

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International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest hybrid workspace platform, has announced a significant expansion in 2024, signing 899 new locations and opening 624 new centres globally. This expansion includes 115 new locations in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting the growing demand for flexible workspaces in this dynamic area.

IWG’s growth strategy is largely driven by managed partnership agreements, allowing the company to convert various buildings into successful commercial operations. This approach aligns with the increasing demand for hybrid working solutions, as property owners seek to fill vacant spaces due to declining demand for traditional office real estate. IWG’s extensive brand portfolio, including Regus, Spaces, HQ, and Signature, supports this expansion.

In Singapore, IWG is capitalising on the trend of workers seeking shorter commutes by expanding its presence in the heartlands. Research indicates that 95% of Singaporeans prioritise commute time when considering job opportunities, with 53% preferring to work close to home. Currently, IWG operates eight flexible workspaces in Singapore’s heartlands, including areas like Tampines and Novena.

IWG’s CEO, Mark Dixon, noted, “2024 was a landmark year, reaching record revenue and experiencing our strongest network expansion to date.” The company plans to continue investing in its platform and expanding its network through capital-light methods such as management agreements and franchising.

With over 4,000 locations in more than 120 countries, IWG is poised for further growth, tapping into a market of over 1.2 billion white-collar workers globally. The flexible workspace sector is projected to grow by 600% by 2030, underscoring the potential for continued expansion.
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Juniper Networks has announced the successful deployment of its AI-Native Networking Platform at St Luke’s ElderCare (SLEC) in Singapore, aiming to transform elderly care through improved security and seamless operations. The implementation, set to be completed by the end of 2025, unifies SLEC’s network infrastructure across its nursing homes, active ageing centres, and senior care centres. This initiative supports SLEC’s expansion and enables innovative services such as virtual reality experiences and advanced robotics for rehabilitation.

With Singapore’s rapidly ageing population, SLEC has grown from four to over 30 locations in the past 25 years. To support this growth, SLEC required a secure, scalable network. Juniper’s AI-driven solutions, powered by Mist AI, have centralised IT operations, allowing SLEC’s lean IT team to manage the expanding network efficiently, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

The transformation has resulted in enhanced operational efficiency and strengthened cybersecurity, ensuring a resilient network. “St Luke’s ElderCare’s goal is to provide holistic, high-quality care experiences,” said Dr Alan Wong, Chief Operating Officer of SLEC. “By modernising our network with Juniper’s AI-Native Networking Platform, we have transformed how we deliver care.”

Perry Sui, Area Vice President at Juniper Networks, added, “We are proud to partner with St Luke’s ElderCare on its journey of transformation and innovation.”

The successful implementation of Juniper’s solutions has empowered SLEC to adopt emerging innovations confidently, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Singapore’s elderly population.
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Semperis, a leader in AI-powered identity security, has unveiled Ready1, a pioneering cyber crisis command platform aimed at enhancing organisational response to large-scale cyber incidents. This launch coincides with a global study revealing significant gaps in cyber readiness, particularly in Singapore, which ranks second globally in preparedness but still faces frequent high-impact cyber events.

The study, conducted across 1,000 organisations worldwide, shows that whilst 96% of companies have a cyber crisis response plan, 71% experienced at least one major cyber incident last year. In Singapore, 87% of organisations have integrated response plans, yet 53% still suffer multiple high-impact events, indicating a disconnect between planning and execution.

Key blockers to effective cyber response include cross-team communication gaps, outdated response plans, and tool sprawl. Despite frequent testing, many organisations remain unprepared due to these disjointed processes. “Cyberattacks don’t check your calendar — they hit when you’re at your weakest,” said Marty Momdjian, EVP of Ready1 at Semperis.

Ready1 aims to address these issues by consolidating crisis management, communication, and response efforts into a single platform. It offers a secure command centre with live dashboards, real-time coordination, and integrated tools for communication and task tracking. This platform is designed to ensure seamless crisis response, even when traditional infrastructure fails.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, the ability to respond swiftly and effectively is crucial. Ready1 seeks to provide organisations with the necessary tools and coordination to turn chaos into control, reducing downtime and mitigating the impact of cyber incidents.
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