Latest news with #Asia-focused
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
HSBC, Standard Chartered Tested by Geopolitical Woes as Valuations Climb
By , Justina T Lee, Harshita Swaminathan, and Reina Sasaki Save How HSBC Holdings Plc and Standard Chartered Plc have managed to cope with uncertainty on trade and interest rate trajectories will be on display in next week's earnings. Momentum in wealth management and cost savings will be key for HSBC's growth amid risks from President Donald Trump's tariffs, which threaten the bank's Asia-focused global trade business model, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. Similarly, Standard Chartered's wealth-management performance, efficiency efforts and the resilience of its cross-border network revenue to tariff and trade risks have provided support, BI said in a separate note.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Angel One, LivWell announce ₹4 billion JV for digital life insurance
Angel One on Wednesday said it proposes to enter a joint venture with LivWell, a Singapore-based lifestyle and wellness-focused insurtech, to set up a digital-first life insurance company, subject to regulatory approvals. Angel One is proposed to hold a 26 per cent stake in the company, with the remaining 74 per cent to be held by LivWell Holding Company PTE Ltd. In its press release, the company said: 'Angel One, India's leading FinTech platform, proposes to enter into a JV with LivWell to promote a digital-first life insurance company, subject to regulatory approvals. The proposed company, with a capital infusion of Rs 4.0 billion, is being co-promoted by Angel One Ltd (26 per cent) and LivWell Holding Company PTE Ltd (74 per cent), with a shared vision of redefining access to life insurance in India through technology and trust.' The proposed company will see a capital infusion of Rs 4 billion from both entities. LivWell is backed by Olympus Capital, an Asia-focused private equity firm with over $2.6 billion invested. Wilf Blackburn, former regional chief executive officer of Prudential Asia, is proposed to chair the venture, while Nikhil Verma, former deputy CEO of Aviva Vietnam, is proposed to lead as CEO. Angel One and LivWell aim to address underinsurance in the country with 'simple, reliable and protection-led offerings, backed by seamless digital experiences. The JV will focus on operating on a digital-first architecture, leveraging tech-driven automation and personalisation to make insurance affordable, accessible and aligned to real-life needs,' the release said. Ambarish Kenghe, group CEO at Angel One Limited, said: 'As India embraces digital financial services, insurance too must be accessible, transparent and seamlessly delivered through trusted platforms. This partnership also deepens our offerings across the financial lifecycle—bringing us closer to delivering a seamless, end-to-end experience across savings, investing and protection. The products sourced from this JV will help strengthen our digital distribution framework for the protection segment, further fortifying our long-term association with our clients.' 'At LivWell, we have seen how protection products, when delivered with simplicity and purpose, can drive meaningful impact at scale. In our first market, Vietnam, embedded, digital-first insurance models have demonstrated strong potential for scale, proving that trust and reach can go hand in hand. India presents a unique opportunity not just because of the protection gap, but because consumer expectations have fundamentally evolved. With Angel One's digital reach and market credibility, we see a strong alignment to build a next-generation digital insurer that is relevant to today's customers, accessible and future-ready,' said Nikhil Verma, CEO, LivWell.
Business Upturn
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Angel One and LivWell to form JV for digital-first life insurance company in India
Angel One, one of India's top FinTech platforms, has announced its plan to form a joint venture (JV) with LivWell to launch a next-generation, digital-first life insurance company. Backed by a capital infusion of ₹400 crore, the new venture will be co-promoted by Angel One Ltd (26%) and LivWell Holding Company PTE Ltd (74%), subject to regulatory approvals. This strategic alliance aims to redefine how Indians access life insurance—leveraging technology, trust, and transparency. India remains significantly underinsured, with protection gaps of over 83%, particularly among younger earners aged 26–35. The JV seeks to tackle this challenge by offering affordable, personalized, and protection-led insurance products built on seamless digital infrastructure. The proposed company will operate on a tech-first architecture, using AI-driven automation and data personalization to simplify life insurance. The goal: to make insurance more relevant, affordable, and aligned with modern lifestyles. The leadership team includes industry veterans such as Wilf Blackburn, ex-Regional CEO of Prudential Asia, who is expected to chair the venture, and Nikhil Verma, former Deputy CEO of Aviva Vietnam, as the CEO. LivWell is supported by Olympus Capital, a prominent Asia-focused private equity firm with $2.6 billion invested across companies like HDFC Bank, CreditAccess Grameen, and Utkarsh SFB. With India aiming for 'Insurance for All by 2047', this digital-first insurer is poised to tap into a massive, underserved market. By combining Angel One's digital expertise with LivWell's insurance pedigree, the JV is set to reshape life insurance access for millions of Indians. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
Business Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Inside Asia's impact investment boom
BACK in 2019 while working to launch the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN), I attended an impact investing conference in India. What struck me most was the mix of energy, enthusiasm and innovation in the crowd. It was apparent even then that impact investing had undeniable potential to take root and take off in Asia. Impact investing aims to generate positive, measurable social or environmental impact alongside a financial return. In short, it is about harnessing capital to solve real-world problems for people and the planet. This approach creates jobs, energises local economies and makes communities more resilient – the foundations of a healthy society, regardless of the continent you are on. Focus areas range from increasing access to education and mitigating carbon emissions to supporting ageing populations, all representing opportunities where impact capital can help drive solutions. This is true globally and increasingly so in East, South and South-east Asia. The continent has always been significant in impact investing's history, but Asia is now elevating its leadership role, with Singapore as a major hub. I have always appreciated Asia's dynamism – it is both a source of impact capital and a global destination for such capital. As Asia continues on its path of growth, impact investing will remain essential for the region's sustainable development. Data confirms that impact investing is booming in Asia. Our 2024 report on the state of impact investing in Asia, which covers the activity of 68 Asia-focused investors who manage more than S$48.6 billion in assets under management (AUM), found that the AUM dedicated to impact is growing significantly. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up There is accelerating interest in East Asia specifically, with 60 per cent of such investors planning to increase their allocations in the coming year. Energy, healthcare, education, and information and communication technologies were all noted as priority sectors. Asian organisations are now leaders within the global impact investing industry. Singapore, a convenor and thought leader in Asia's sustainable finance space, has seen a tremendous amount of leadership from family offices like the Tsao Family Office and intermediaries like Impact Investment Exchange, among others. Our research reveals other indicators of increasing momentum and satisfaction: 89 per cent of Asia-focused impact investors said their financial returns were outperforming or in line with expectations, and 88 per cent reported the same for their impact performance. This is part of a broader trend, and should fuel continued global interest in impact investing in Asia. Two key factors are driving this growth. First is a positive shift in government support and policy frameworks for the industry. For instance, in 2024, Japan's Financial Services Agency launched formal principles for impact investing, which reflected many definitions and guidance originating from the GIIN. Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund – the world's largest – recently pivoted to allocate more capital to impact investments, in an effort to create long-term value for pensioners and meet the country's social and environmental needs. The closer alignment of corporate interests with impact-focused goals in Japan may be associated with the 150 per cent rise in the country's impact investing market from 2023 to 2024. Family offices are also a major force. According to Empaxis, Asia is home to 9 per cent of the world's approximately 20,000 family offices, with more than half of Asia's family offices located in Singapore. Many of these families, who lead large family businesses in Asia, are reconsidering how to approach long-term value creation for their legacies and future generations, with impact investing as a tool. The GIIN has been active for more than 15 years, and I am excited to see that the leadership, dynamism and rigour I saw on my first trip to Asia have only grown. Investors in Asia have advanced on their impact journeys remarkably quickly – moving directly from intention to implementation. I like to think this leapfrogging is owed in some part to the power of global networks like the GIIN and others, that provide opportunities to learn best practices from fellow practitioners. Impact investing in Asia holds tremendous potential and power. The latest estimates indicate that more than S$2 trillion in impact AUM is circulating in the world now. While this market size is itself a milestone for the global impact investing movement, it is also a call to action for investors to mobilise in service of improving livelihoods, communities and the natural world, in Asia and beyond. The writer is chief executive officer and co-founder of the Global Impact Investing Network
Hindustan Times
18-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ashwin Sheth Group acquires development rights from MHADA for ₹3,800 crore residential project in Mumbai's Goregaon
Mumbai-based Ashwin Sheth Group on July 18 announced a residential project in Siddharth Nagar area of Goregaon West in Mumbai after acquiring development rights from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). Mumbai-based Ashwin Sheth Group on July 18 announced a residential project in Siddharth Nagar area of Goregaon West in Mumbai after acquiring development rights from the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority. (Representational photo)(Pixabay) The company said that the development will have 12 lakh sq ft of RERA carpet area with a gross development value (GDV) ₹3,800 crore. According to the company, the project spread across 4.05 acres will have premium offerings across five towers of 44 floors along with a signature 60 floors tower. The project will have 2 BHK, 3 BHK and 4 BHK apartments ranging from 800 sq ft to 1,600 sq ft. Also Read: DLF eyes more projects in Mumbai's real estate market, but focus remains on Andheri for now Ashwin Sheth, Chairman and Managing Director of Ashwin Sheth Group, said, "This strategic acquisition from MHADA represents a milestone in our expansion strategy. Goregaon West has emerged as one of Mumbai's most promising residential destinations, and securing this prime 4.05-acre parcel positions us to deliver a world-class development that will set new standards for premium living in the western suburbs." According to the company, Siddharth Nagar location in Goregaon West offers excellent connectivity to major business districts, entertainment hubs, and transportation networks. With the area witnessing rapid infrastructure development and emerging as a preferred residential destination for both end-users and investors, the project is strategically positioned to cater to the growing demand for premium housing in the western suburbs, the company said. Also Read: Ashwin Sheth Group acquires 50% stake in South Mumbai luxury project with ₹2,300 crore GDV South Mumbai project Ashwin Sheth Group had on June 11 announced the acquisition of a 50% stake in One Marina, a luxury residential project located in South Mumbai's Marine Lines with GDV of ₹2,300 crore. The acquisition was backed by substantial funding from PAG Singapore, an Asia-focused investment firm that has committed $65 million (over ₹540 crore) to support the construction and development of the ₹2,300 crore GDV project. "Part of the funds raised from PAG were used to facilitate the exit of J.C. Flower ARC, whose loan from Yes Bank was settled by Ashwin Sheth Group to clear the way for the new partnership," the statement had said. Situated close to Marine Drive and the historic Princess Street Flyover, one of India's earliest flyovers, One Marina enjoys a prime location in the heart of the city.
