News

StanChart claims custody first in China

Standard Chartered SingaporeStandard Chartered has become the first foreign bank to execute custody deals in both the domestic and wholly foreign-owned enterprise (WFOE) private custody fund markets. A number of global investment firms have sought WFOE status in recent months and have naturally turned to international custodians to help set up in China. But the lucrative domestic funds market has up to now been dominated by local custodians and banks. In recent months, Chinese authorities have sought to relax some of the regulatory restrictions that have made it hard for global custodians to compete with local rivals. When Deutsche Bank was granted a domestic fund custody license in December 2020, it became only the third foreign player in the market, after Citibank and Standard Chartered. Despite gaining its license in October 2018, Standard Chartered closed its first mutual fund custody deal in June. “We look forward to deepening our role as a connector bank for global institutions looking to enter the Chinese market,” said Margaret Harwood-Jones, co-head of financing and securities services at Standard Chartered. © 2021 funds global asia

Industry comments

Investing in tomorrow’s world

investmentAt times like these, HSBC Asset Management easily pivots towards emerging markets.

The spotlight on growth markets and the need to be nimble and dynamic is ever-sharper, given the difficulty in predicting monetary policy in the world’s major nations.

Sponsored feature: Navigating the complexities of FX execution and currency risk

A comprehensive, cost-effective, and transparent currency overlay hedging solution is crucial to mitigate FX exposure risks in the complex landscapes of Japan and China's FX markets, explains Hans Jacob Feder, PhD, global head of FX services at MUFG Investor Services.

Opinion

Transitioning to an era of scarcity

The world is transitioning from an era of commodity abundance to one of undersupply. Ben Ross and Tyler Rosenlicht of Cohen & Steers believe this shift may result in significant returns for commodities and resource producers over the next decade.

Asia credit: An outsized winner in the region’s energy transition?

Ross Dilkes, fixed income portfolio manager at Wellington Management, examines the opportunities and risks for bond investors presented by the region’s decarbonisation agenda.

A quiet revolution in Japan’s corporate governance

revolution, Japan, corporate governance, Shareholders, corporate, governance, standards, improvement, Tetsuro Takase, SuMi TrustShareholders in Japan no longer accept below-par corporate governance standards. Changes are taking place, but there are still areas for improvement, says Tetsuro Takase at SuMi Trust.

Why rising demand for healthcare is creating investment opportunities in China

rising demand, healthcare, investment, opportunities, China, Robert St Clair, Investment Strategy, Fullerton Fund ManagementRobert St Clair, head of investment strategy at Fullerton Fund Management, explores the reasons investors should be paying attention to the rising demand for healthcare in China.

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