The Asset Podcast

Transition finance is gaining a lot of attention in Asia as high-carbon companies transition toward net zero emissions in line to combat climate change. What is transition finance and which high-carbon sectors can and should subscribe to transition finance? What risks high-carbon companies face in terms of their business model as they implement changes to become greener?

The Asset spoke with Shiv Sivarajah, head, energy and resources, Asia & Oceania at MUFG, Robert Johnson, head oil & gas and petrochemicals at MUFG, Nicholas Gandolfo, director, sustainable finance solutions, Asia Pacific at Sustainalytics and Michelle Horsfield, climate transitions manager at Climate Bonds Initiative about the development of transition finance in Asia.

Ray Tay, senior vice president, public, project and infrastructure finance group at Moody’s Investors Service speaks with The Asset about what a green recovery means for Asia-Pacific and the institutions that would be ideally placed to support such projects in the region.

As part of market-opening reform of its capital markets, China lifted the ownership limits for overseas asset managers allowing these companies to offer products directly into the retail market. With US$16 billion to US$17 billion of assets under management, it represents one of the world's biggest business opportunity of the decade. 

The Asset speaks with Stewart Aldcroft, chairman, Cititrust, who shares his insights on the how China's asset management industry is likely to develop into the future.

The launch of Wealth Management Connect within the Greater Bay Area could strengthen Hong Kong’s status as a global financial centre. The Asset speaks with Stewart Aldcroft, chairman, Cititrust, who shares his insights on the attractions for international financial companies.

The Asset spoke with Dr. David Hardoon, senior adviser for data and AI at UnionBank about the potential of big data and artificial intelligence in creating a better banking experience and how critical it is in the time of Covid-19. Dr. Hardoon also touched upon the important role regulators play in making sure data us handled carefully.

At a recent The Asset Events+ webinar session, we spoke with David Uy, managing director and head of power, energy & infrastructure at MUFG Bank, on renewable energy development in Asia.

During the virtual event, Uy commented on a number of topics from the impact of Covid-19 on renewable energy to the prospect of additional local currency financing to fund critical projects in the region.

At a recent The Asset Events+ webinar session we spoke with Siong Ooi, managing director & co-head of debt capital markets – loans & bonds, Asian investment banking division at MUFG Bank, on the impact of the pandemic on future infrastructure projects. During the webinar, Ooi drilled down on the involvement of private credit into projects and the greater role sustainability is playing in future development.

The Covid-19 pandemic illustrated that infrastructure is vital to ensure the delivery of essential services. Yet, it exposed the lack of resilience of social infrastructure systems and highlighted the impact of business disruption on cash flow and liquidity in sectors such as transportation, issues which could trigger asset repricing and deal restructuring. With global recession in sight, financing will remain a key challenge particularly as countries already face a huge funding gap. The Asset Events+ invited Seth Tan, executive director, Infrastructure Asia, Boon Chin Hau, managing director, head of infrastructure, Asia and emerging markets, GIC; Sandeep Lakhanpal, head, M&A and business development Cube Highways & Transportation Assets Advisors; Siong Ooi, managing director & co-head of debt capital markets, loans & bonds, Asian investment banking division, MUFG Bank; Sajal Kishore, senior director, head of Asia Pacific infrastructure & project finance ratings, Fitch Ratings; and Ray Tay

senior vice president, public, project and infrastructure finance group, Moody's Investors Service, to share their views.

The adoption of technology and digitalization has been underway in the asset management and servicing industry, and the Covid-19 is accelerating the process faster than ever before. Ephyro Amatong, commissioner of Securities and Exchange Commission Philippines, Rohan Singh, managing director head of asset servicing, Asia Pacific, BNY Mellon, Anand Rengarajan, head of securities services, Asia Pacific, Deutsche Bank, Jeroen Buwalda, chief operating officer of Eastspring Investments, and Dean Chisholm, regional head of operations, Asia Pacific, Invesco joined The Asset Events+ webinar last week, talking about the increasing use of  technology including how it is enhancing the client experience.

How has the pandemic impacted wealth in the Asia-Pacific?

Asia’s relative success in containing Covid-19 means that coming out of it, the region is in a better shape than Europe and North America and is the new epicentre of wealth growth.

That is the view of Arjan de Boer, head of markets, investment and structuring Asia at Indosuez Wealth Management who spoke to The Asset in this podcast.

During this period of the pandemic and other uncertainties, De Boer believes wealth managers are facing their biggest test in preserving the assets of clients. He also shares how the pandemic is magnifying a trend in ESG that is accelerating further. He also recommends investors to remain defensive during this period, and to take a long-term view.

As for Hong Kong, despite the range of challenges facing it, he is confident it will remain one of the main global wealth management centres for the foreseeable future.

The Sustainability Accounting Standards Board partnered with Mercatus, a data platform for private investors, to introduce a consistent ESG data measurement and reporting ability. The Asset spoke with Haresh Patel, CEO of Mercatus to understand how ESG data could be integrated into private equity investments.

By The Asset

In this era of market uncertainty, record low returns, and more volatility in the global fixed income market, Asian bonds can potentially offer better value, more stable returns, and greater diversification.

By The Asset

The Asset speaks to Madhu Gayer, head of Investment Analytics & Sustainability, APAC at BNP Paribas Securities Services, on how Asian asset owners are incorporating the Principles of Responsible Investments (PRI), new financial disclosure regulations, and alternative investment strategies into their sustainability investments.

By The Asset

The Asset speaks to Madhu Gayer, head of Investment Analytics & Sustainability, APAC at BNP Paribas Securities Services, on how the convergence of ESG topics, sustainable development goals, and classic market risk and market theory is changing strategic sustainable asset allocation among asset managers.

In this episode Bayani Cruz, executive editor of The Asset seaks with Mitch Reznick, head of Research and Sustainable Fixed Income at Hermes Investment Management, on the challenges and differences betweeb ESG investing in fixed versus equities in Asia. Reznick also talks about how Hermes integrating ESG into its investment strategies.

In this episode, Bayani Cruz, executive editor of The Asset, speaks with Mitch Reznick, head of Research and Sustainable Fixed Income at Hermes Investment Management, on the latest trends of ESG investing in fixed income versus equities in Asia. Reznick also talks about the progress in the level of penetration of ESG investing in the region.