The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) saw a "remarkable" 25% year-on-year increase in licensing over the course of 2023 to reach just shy of 800 firms, it revealed its annual report published today (10 May).  This surge in licensing activity "underscores the growing confidence in the DFSA’s regulatory framework and the attractiveness of the region […] The post Dubai FSA sees 25% surge in licensing to reach 791 firms over the last year appeared first on Investment International ..read more

US headquartered Petra Funds Group, a fund administration provider to global private equity and debt funds, has hired Steven Antonson as its chief of staff. Antonson (pictured) brings 15 years of experience in finance and operations with a focus on control-oriented investments in cash-generating assets and businesses. Before joining Petra, he was a founding member, […] The post New York's Petra Funds Group names Steven Antonson as chief of staff appeared first on Investment International ..read more

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has imposed a fine of S$2.5m on Swiss-Asia Financial Services (SAFS) for breaches of MAS’ anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) rules.  MAS said in a statement on 7 May that it also issued a reprimand to SAFS’ chief executive officer (CEO), Olivier Pascal Mivelaz, and […] The post Swiss-Asia Financial Services fined S$2.5m for AML breaches appeared first on Investment International ..read more

It seems like almost any conversation you have with someone right now touches on the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Are you using it? What do you think about it? Is this going to bring salvation to or cause chaos in our personal and professional lives? What is society going to look like in 20 […] The post How is AI most efficiently and safely used in financial services? appeared first on Investment International ..read more

Julius Baer International, the UK-based wealth manager and part of the Julius Baer Group, today named Stefano Lupi as head of cross assets markets UK, a newly created role for the firm, and three new relationship managers. Lupi will identify a strategy to build and broaden the firm’s Markets offering for UHNW advisory clients, ensuring […] The post Julius Baer International creates new senior role for UNHWIs and hires three managers appeared first on Investment International ..read more

Symphony, a markets infrastructure and technology platform is expanding its global footprint by establishing a commercial office in the Middle East. The new office will be located in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). Brad Levy, CEO at Symphony, said: “Our team is excited to open an office in ADGM and is thankful for all the […] The post Fintech platform Symphony expands global footprint with office in Middle East appeared first on Investment International ..read more

Allfunds and MainStreet Partners today (9 May) launched the Sustainability Navigator, an "innovative" tool to streamline the construction of sustainable investment portfolios and deliver "comprehensive" data insights for asset managers and wealth managers in line with the frameworks of the SFDR regulation. Sustainability Navigator is a direct result of the collaborative efforts of Allfunds and […] The post Allfunds and MainStreet Partners launch SFDR Sustainability Navigator tool appeared first on Investment International ..read more

Absa Group said on 8 May it was marking a "historic milestone" with the official launch of a non-banking subsidiary in Beijing, China. In the statement, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed diversified financial services group said its branch office in China will operate under a wholly foreign owned enterprise licence which permits the financial institution […] The post Johannesburg-listed Absa Group unveils new office in Beijing, China appeared first on Investment International ..read more

The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) on 7 May published a 'Call for Evidence on the review of the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) Eligible Assets Directive (EAD)'. It said the objective of this call was to gather information from stakeholders to assess possible risk and benefits of UCITS gaining exposure […] The post ESMA asks for input on expanding range of riskier assets in UCITS appeared first on Investment International ..read more

TMF Group, a provider of compliance and business administration services around the world, said today (8 May) that its fund operations arm in Ireland has received authorisation from the Central Bank of Ireland to offer its suite of fund administration and transfer agency services to alternative funds. The licence for TMF Group Fund Operations (Ireland) […] The post TFM Group gains licence for fund operations unit in Ireland appeared first on Investment International ..read more