Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Fluid is a B2B Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution based in Singapore, designed to simplify payment processes and improve cash flow for businesses. By integrating directly with ERPs, accounting systems, and e-commerce platforms, Fluid allows suppliers to receive payment upfront, while offering buyers flexible payment options. Fluid’s technology provides quick credit assessments and reduces th...

Earlier this year, we shared with you that we will be bringing you some on the ground reporting of key business events, launches, features or developer’s days under the “Under the Radar Specials” banner.  This time, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian fulfils the promise she made, travelling over 50 hours to bring you insights from a key business event that...

With the ACL Two final looming large, Sports Minutes returns for a blockbuster episode featuring Lion City Sailors captain Hariss Harun and goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. Fresh off clinching the Singapore Premier League title the Sailors now stand on the brink of history - with a sold-out Bishan Stadium and opponents Sharjah awaiting in Sunday's showdown, and the tantalising possibility of a treble with...

Famously known to rep the “Duck” symbol during GE2025, Darryl Lo became an overnight internet sensation during this year’s election as an independent candidate who captured the hearts of many with his ingenuity and candor in Radin Mas SMC. At just 28 years old, he won 23.47 percent of the vote, ranking the second highest in a three-cornered fight between the incumbent PAP an...

Some companies rise to iconic status under the vision of a strong founder—others falter under the same conditions.  In the new book - The Founder Effect, investor and strategist Lawrence Lam dives deep into the mindset and mechanisms that set successful founder-led businesses apart.  But what exactly is the "founder effect"? Why does it matter to investors and boardrooms alike? And...

Following a deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, India launched retaliatory strikes on Pakistan-held parts of the territory. New Delhi has accused Islamabad of sheltering a militant group that allegedly carried out the attack. But, after four days of intense fighting, a ceasefire deal was reached on May 10. But how long will it last, as tensions between the tw...

Singapore shares jumped today on the back of cooling trade tensions between the US and China. The Straits Times Index was up 0.74% at 3,904.86 points at 10.30am Singapore time with a value turnover of S$883.77M in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Thai Beverage after the beverage maker announced on Friday that its profit for the second quarter ended Mar 31, 2025, decrease...

Repair.sg is a leading full-service property repair and maintenance company based in Singapore, offering a wide range of professional services including plumbing, electrical, air-conditioning, and handyman work. Founded by Zames Chew at just 16 years old, Repair.sg started as an online platform connecting customers with trusted service providers but quickly evolved into a hands-on operation with i...

Earlier this year, we shared with you that we will be bringing you some on the ground reporting of key business events, launches, features or developer’s days under the “Under the Radar Specials” banner.  This time, Money Matter’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian fulfils the promise she made, travelling over 50 hours to bring you insights from a key business event that...

The PAP celebrated a resounding victory at the 2025 General Election held on 3rd of May, where we saw a landslide victory in their favour, winning 87 out of 97 seats. However, how did this happen when just a mere few days ago we saw a lot of noise online which put the opposition parties as the favourable candidates to be elected into Parliament.  On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to ...

OCBC posted a 5% drop in Q1 profit to S$1.88 billion, beating expectations despite lower net interest income. ST Engineering reported a strong 8% rise in revenue for Q1, driven by robust contract wins. Meanwhile, tensions are rising in India following escalating hostilities with Pakistan, adding uncertainty to the markets. On the global trade front, the US and UK have hailed a ‘breakthrough&...

Bitcoin is evolving from a passive store of value into an active foundation for decentralized finance, known as BTCFi. With total value locked growing from $300 million to over $6.6 billion in just a year, BTCFi is unlocking new use cases like lending, restaking, stablecoins, and decentralized trading—without sacrificing Bitcoin’s core principles of decentralization and self-custody. S...

A Chinese calligraphy piece by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam raised $308,888 at an online charity auction for the Singapore Red Cross. The artwork, bearing the characters  “tong xin xie li, yu shi bing jin” which means “work together with one heart and move forward with the times”, was sold to philanthropist Mr. Fang Angzhen. All proceeds will support the Red Cross'...

As ESG regulations tighten across Southeast Asia, Singapore is stepping up with tangible tech infrastructure to support the region’s transition. One of the latest developments: a new AI-powered sustainability reporting platform, jointly launched in Indonesia by Singapore-based MVGX and BDO in Indonesia. This platform automates ESG reporting, slashing timelines by half, while aligning with in...

For the first time since 1972, independent candidates turned out to be the more popular choice during Singapore’s General Elections.  GE2025 saw an independent candidate in Mountbatten SMC, winning 36.16% of the vote, making it The highest vote share for an independent in the constituency in over 50 years. Hongbing Jeong speaks to Jeremy Tan, the former candidate who ran for Mountbatten...

DBS has just released its first-quarter earnings, reporting a 2% dip in net profit to S$2.9 billion, primarily due to the global minimum tax. UOB also reported its latest results, showing strong performance in its core businesses, with profit growth driven by robust loan demand and a healthy asset quality. Meanwhile, Disney posted impressive earnings, beating expectations with a 7% increase in rev...

With 1.4 billion adults still unbanked globally and billions of people depending on costly remittances, the PayFi model is offering a groundbreaking alternative. According to the latest PayFi Report by Foresight Ventures and Bitget Wallet, the PayFi model, which combines DeFi with everyday spending, is not only a way to reduce transaction costs but also an innovative way to democratize financial a...

As AI adoption accelerates across the Asia-Pacific region, so too does the wave of legislation aimed at ensuring its safe, fair, and ethical use. In this rapidly evolving landscape, businesses are under pressure to remain both compliant and competitive. This is where Straits Interactive steps in. Straits Interactive empowers organisations to thrive in the digital age with AI-enhanced training and...

Cheng Yongmao dedicated 20 years of his life to restoring the most dangerous section of the Great Wall of China. His relentless commitment to preserving this historic landmark, using ancient techniques and facing incredible challenges, has left a lasting legacy. Through his work, he has not only protected a national treasure but also ensured its authenticity for generations to come. See omnystudio...

UOB announced a flat first-quarter net profit of S$1.49 billion, missing expectations as higher credit costs and market volatility weighed on performance. Net interest income rose 2% to S$2.41 billion, though net interest margin slipped to 2.00%. Credit costs increased to 35 basis points from 25 bps in Q4, as the bank set aside pre-emptive provisions. Meanwhile, the US and China are preparing for...

The Vatican will be electing a new pope, with 133 cardinals set to decide who will lead the Catholic Church after Pope Francis' passing. With no clear frontrunner, speculation is high over whether the next pope will continue Francis’ progressive agenda or return to more traditional roots. Cardinals Pietro Parolin and Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle have been mentioned as key candidates, but the out...

The rise of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology has been nothing short of transformative , reshaping global finance and wealth management.  According to Multipolitan's latest report, The Future Is Onchain , this revolution is gaining unprecedented momentum, fueled by key geopolitical shifts and demographic changes. One key insight from the report is the emergence of crypto-friendly citie...

Growthwell Foods is a Singapore-based food technology company on a mission to make plant-based eating accessible, nutritious, and rooted in Asia’s vibrant food cultures. Founded on the belief that sustainable nutrition should be part of everyday life, Growthwell develops plant-based seafood, meat alternatives, and high-performance ingredients for consumers, chefs, and food companies. Through...

Would you pay $8,600 for a single scoop of ice cream? That’s the price of  Byakuya, Japan’s record-breaking dessert crafted with rare white truffle, gold leaf, and sake lees. Extravagant or excessive? You decide. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The STI opened at 3,861 today, with movements in key stocks such as Sinarmas Land and Frasers Hospitality Trust. On the global front, Apple returned to the bond market with a $4.5 billion issuance, and Hong Kong intervened heavily to defend its currency peg. Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway saw a 5% dip in its stock price, sparking investor concerns.  On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to D...