BT Correspondents

What will 2026 hold for HDB resale flats, new condos, resale condos and landed homes? In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Ismail Gafoor of PropNex. We explore the demand drivers for the housing market as well as key risks. We look at the priorities of home buyers. Also, get valuable tips on buying homes and building a career in real estate from PropNex’s charismatic co-...

Ride-hailing is booming in Singapore, but behind the growth is a business model under strain. Incentives are shrinking, driver incomes are falling, and platforms are under pressure to turn a profit.  In this episode of TransportBT, correspondent Derryn Wong speaks with Kay Woo, founder of zero-commission ride-hailing platform Tada, about whether a more sustainable alternative is possible.&nbs...

Asia is on the cusp of a massive US$6 trillion wealth transfer — but with great wealth comes great complexity.  In this episode of WealthBT, host Genevieve Cua speaks with Victor Aerni, CEO, Pictet Wealth Management Asia, about the forces reshaping intergenerational succession.  From the rise of “100-year CEOs” to blended families and globalised heirs, Victor explains w...

The surge in provisions that crushed UOB’s third quarter earnings might not be the lender’s only problem. Along with DBS and OCBC, it is also grappling with normalising net interest margins and soft net interest income. Meanwhile, non-interest income can be volatile and hard to forecast. BT’s Ben Paul offers his views on the outlook for the three Singapore banks. Highlights of th...

Singapore’s skyline is growing fast — but how green are the buildings we live, work and play in?  This week on PropertyBT, senior correspondent Leslie Yee sits down with Schneider Electric’s Jackson Seng to unpack the real value of green buildings, from energy savings and tenant wellbeing to rental premiums and the risk of stranded assets.  They explore whether retrofit...

Flying out of Singapore is about to get pricier. From 2026, a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy will kick in, adding between $1 and $41 to ticket prices — and even taxing cargo. What does this mean for travellers, airlines, and Singapore’s competitiveness as an air hub?  Host Derryn Wong speaks with SMU aviation expert Terence Fan to unpack what SAF really is, why it matter...

If you’re worried about the hidden costs of long-term care, you're not alone. Most Singaporeans underestimate the financial strain, but Singlife's Helen Shen reveals the shocking truth and common misconceptions. Discover why long-term care isn't just for the elderly and how to safeguard your finances and your loved ones. Synopsis: Learn to protect and grow your wealth in this monthly Busines...

After a lost decade following the Global Financial Crisis, the Singapore market is finally reflecting the city-state’s economic dynamism and embrace of new technologies. Could the STI hit 10,000 by 2040 as suggested by DBS? Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains what the changing narrative on Singapore means for investors. Highlights of the podcast: 00:54 DBS paints alluring picture of local...

By the 2030s, nearly 300 of Singapore’s earliest HDB blocks will enter the final 30 years of their 99-year leases.  In this episode of PropertyBT, Leslie Yee unpacks the government’s proposed Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (Vers): what it could mean for homeowners, the potential challenges of the scheme and the risk of lease decay.  Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspond...

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are no longer sci-fi, they’re rolling onto Singapore’s roads.  On TransportBT, host Derryn Wong speaks with associate professor Raymond Ong from NUS about how far the technology has come, and what it means for our transport future.  From Punggol’s self-driving shuttles to the first driverless bus contracts, AVs promise to change how we move, wo...

The global economy is facing tectonic shifts. From inflation to deglobalisation, US exceptionalism to Asia's rise, how can investors navigate these monumental changes? What long-term trends are challenging assumptions? Wealth editor Genevieve Cua speaks to Alexandre Tavazzi from Pictet Wealth Management to find out. Synopsis: Learn to protect and grow your wealth in this monthly Business Times pod...

The authorities are pushing companies to strengthen their businesses, optimise their capital structures, and engage with investors. Are corporate boards up to the task? What might stop them from effecting the necessary changes? How can the interests of boards and minority shareholders be aligned? Senior correspondent Ben Paul offers some views.. Highlights of the podcast: 01:55 Directors ought to...

What ails retail, F&B and nightlife in Singapore?  In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Knight Frank Singapore’s retail head Ethan Hsu. We explore the challenges facing F&B operators, Orchard Road and nightlife players as well as the threats posed by online shopping and retail offerings in Johor Bahru. What is the outlook for various segments of retail and l...

BMW is betting big on its future with the launch of Neue Klasse, a sweeping overhaul of its entire vehicle lineup. Host Derryn Wong speaks with Lars Nielsen, managing director of BMW Group Asia, about why the German carmaker is making its boldest move in more than a century.  From 800 km EV ranges and new software-defined cars to partnerships in China and in-car gaming, BMW is reinventing wha...

Disputes over wills can fracture families and drag on in court. In this episode of WealthBT, host Genevieve Cua speaks with Ang Boon Yaw of Yeo Marini Law Corporation on why more Singaporeans — including younger couples — are taking estate planning seriously.  From the risks of DIY will to why trusts may sometimes be necessary, Ang shares practical advice on the most common mistak...

In a surprise twist, Simba rather than StarHub has emerged as the acquirer of M1’s telco business. Has the plucky upstart outflanked its more established competitor? Or, has StarHub dodged a bullet? Are Singapore’s telco stocks attractive? Senior correspondent Ben Paul delves into the implications of the deal. Highlights of the podcast: 03:46 Does consolidation mean less competition? 0...

Can state properties become vibrant spaces that create economic and societal value?  In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Singapore Land Authority’s Carrie Wong. We explore the challenges of managing black-and-white bungalows. We see how the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is different from private sector landlords. We also look at success stories in transforming sta...

Singapore’s car-sharing scene has seen its fair share of failures, from Smove to BlueSG’s recent pause. But one company has bucked the trend: GetGo. In this episode of TransportBT, host Derryn Wong speaks with GetGo CEO Toh Ting Feng about building a successful car-sharing platform in a challenging market like Singapore. From EV adoption to future expansion overseas, they explore wheth...

If markets have you on edge, this WealthBT episode reveals how geopolitical crises and market swings can actually be opportunities. Join Genevieve Cua and Pictet Wealth Management Asia’s CEO Victor Aerni to learn how a long-term approach and strategic asset allocation can help you gain from volatility and achieve your financial goals. Synopsis: Learn to protect and grow your wealth in this m...

MAS has begun appointing fund managers under its S$5 billion Equities Market Development Programme, and plans to consult proposals to enable investors to seek recourse if they suffer losses due to market misconduct. Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains how this might reshape the market. Highlights of the podcast: 02:28 A S$5 billion boost to smaller-cap stocks 04:36 EQDP fund managers should pre...

What should be done with rogue agents, inactive agents and big agencies dominating the market?  In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Prof Sing Tien Foo to explore ideas like regulating sales commission rates and eliminating the role of agents in selling HDB resale flats.  We discuss the responsibility of agencies for the actions of agents, whether inactive agents sho...

Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system has sparked public frustration again, especially after recent comments from Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow defending private hire car allocations.  In this episode, BT’s Derryn Wong speaks with economist Walter Theseira to unpack whether private hire cars really drive up COE prices, the bigger issues with the COE system,...

Structured notes promise yield, flexibility, and even capital protection — but are they right for your portfolio?  Host Genevieve Cua speaks with Franck Fayard from Marex to unpack how these complex instruments work, when they make sense, and what to watch out for.  From crypto-linked notes to capital protected strategies, this episode explores how structured notes can be used tact...

IFAs play a big role in take-private offers, but their work is often criticised by investors. Senior correspondent Ben Paul looks at what they have done right and wrong in deals involving Sinarmas Land, Dyna-Mac and Great Eastern. Highlights of the podcast: 03:28 Major shareholders versus minorities 06:04 Lowball offers draw heightened scrutiny 10:15 Consider private market value of assets 13:30 H...

Why are Singaporeans so smitten with shiny new condos? In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with GuocoLand’s Dora Chng to unpack what’s driving the demand—from MRT-connected launches to forest-fringed retreats. We explore why the Lentor area is so hot right now, why buyers are paying a premium for that “brand new” feel, and how green living and flex ro...