Societe Generale Bolsters SEA Presence with New Singapore Leadership
Southeast Asia’s banking scene heats up as global players sharpen regional strategies.
Asia
Singapore banks face renewed margin pressure in 2026, but DBS emerges as winner backed by hedging strategy
Singapore’s banking trio confronts net interest margin compression. DBS hedging strategy positions it ahead of OCBC, UOB in 2026 earnings race.
Regional entertainment and leisure operators see improving footfall.
Entertainment and leisure operators in Southeast Asia are reporting improving footfall and stabilizing revenues as both tourism and domestic consumption continue to recover into year‑end.
Streaming and digital media platforms in Southeast Asia expand local content
Streaming and digital media platforms across Southeast Asia are ramping up local content production and acquisition to capture a young, mobile‑first audience and differentiate themselves in an increasingly crowded market.
Hospitality‑linked real estate transactions in the Philippines gain momentum
Hospitality‑linked real estate transactions in the Philippines have accelerated as investors bet on a sustained recovery in travel and tourism and position for an expected easing in global interest rates
Ayala Land Hospitality moves to acquire New World Makati Hotel in Manila
Ayala Land, Inc. has acquired the landmark New World Makati Hotel in Manila’s central business district, reinforcing its strategy to deepen its integrated real estate and hospitality presence in key urban hubs.
Regional consumer and retail deals in the Philippines and Vietnam signal continued confidence in Southeast Asia’s domestic demand story
Recent consumer and retail‑sector deals in the Philippines and Vietnam underscore investor confidence in Southeast Asia’s domestic‑demand fundamentals, despite external economic uncertainties.
Vietnam’s consumer sector stays robust, with Masan Group rapidly expanding its WinMart+ convenience store network to tap rising middle‑class spending
Vietnam’s consumer sector continues to show resilience, underpinned by a growing middle class, urbanization and rising household incomes, and Masan Group is moving quickly to capitalize via its WinMart+ convenience store chain.
Venture investors across the region show heightened enthusiasm for AI‑driven business models but warn that local startup ecosystems must mature to capture capital
Venture capital firms operating in Southeast Asia are increasingly enthusiastic about AI‑driven startups, from foundational‑model infrastructure and developer tools to applied AI in sectors like finance, logistics and healthcare.
Southeast Asia’s startups face funding headwinds as investors shift focus toward deep tech and AI, pushing founders to seek more global market opportunities
Startup ecosystems across Southeast Asia are contending with a tougher funding environment as investors become more selective, shift toward deep‑tech and AI themes and demand clearer paths to profitability.
