Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

As financial institutions invest in new platforms, it becomes necessary to make them accessible for every user, regardless of disability conditions.   Audax is a Singapore-based Banking-as-a-Service firm, dedicated to democratizing digital banking services and transforming the financial landscape. With a vision to make advanced banking solutions more accessible, Audax empowers banks and financial institutions to rapidly scale, modernize, and innovate.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Kelvin Tan, CEO of audax to find out more.   

The Singapore Premier League returns to action proper this weekend. And with a host of incomings and outgoings - both for playing personnel and managers - the second half of the campaign promises to be an exciting race to the finish line. So ahead of the BIG kick-off we check in with fans from all 9 SPL clubs to find out about their expectations, as well as hear from Deepanraj Ganesan on his expert opinions. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore equities began in the positive territory today tracking gains in global markets. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) climbed 1.2 per cent to 3,816.94 points after 41.7 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines, after the national carrier and its low-cost arm carried a total of 3.6 million passengers in December 2024, up 7.1 per cent from the previous year.  Elsewhere, from how Asian markets reacted to healthy US bank earnings and a below forecast inflation print, to how Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s profit in the December quarter topped estimates, more international and corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital.

A recent abduction of a Chinese TV actor to Myanmar and his subsequent release is shedding new light on the lengths to which human traffickers operating online scam centers in the war-torn country will go to in order to lure would-be victims. Wang Xing flew to Thailand for what he expected to be a movie casting call. Instead, he was driven to a scam center in Myanmar’s Myawaddy, a notorious cyber-fraud hub across the border from Thailand. The kidnapping has now dented Thailand's appeal among tourists just weeks before China’s biggest annual holiday. Can Thailand's tourism recover?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Gary Bowerman, Director of Check-in Asia to find more.   

Coffee customers around the world are now experiencing a rise in coffee prices due to coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam battling against unfavourable weather conditions and are struggling to meet market demands. What’s the outlook like for coffee prices in 2025 then? Will the bullish sentiment continue in the coffee market throughout the year? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Matthew Biggin, Commodities Analyst, BMI, to find out more.

Singapore's rapid economic growth continues to dominate headlines, yet beneath the success lies an alarming challenge — the unhappiest workforce in Southeast Asia. Despite the nation’s prosperity, employees are grappling with burnout, dissatisfaction, and worsening mental health. Hearback, developed by Cloudsquire, offers a transformative solution. This AI-powered feedback platform captures and analyses employee sentiment in real time, enabling businesses to shorten feedback cycles, address concerns faster, and foster transparent communication. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Violet Yeo, Co-founder, Cloudsquire Pte Ltd to share more.   Presented by: Hongbin Jeong Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

170 million Americans are on TikTok, but maybe not for much longer. The app is due to be shut down in the US on January 19.  As a potential ban looms, speculation over where TikTok users would migrate if a ban were to take effect has centred around alternatives like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. However, one Chinese-owned app has crept to the top of the App Store’s free downloads. Some creators – ‘TikTok refugees’, are opting for Xiaohongshu, or Little Red Book to fill the impending TikTok void. Is RedNote the next TikTok? And what does it all mean for the fate of TikTok in the US after January 19? Could a US entity buy over TikTok's US operations? And the biggest question of all: Would ByteDance sell its most successful app? On The Big Story, Pushan Dutt, Professor of Economics and Political Science at INSEAD to find out more.  

Singapore shares were in the green at the open today, as investors globally await key inflation data in the US which will set interest rate expectations. The Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.2 per cent to 3,795.23 points in early trade after 68.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have CapitaLand Investment, after the real asset manager appointed three female leaders into senior roles as part of its ongoing leadership renewal.  Elsewhere, from how TikTok plans to keep paying US employees ahead of a ban deadline, to how US President-elect Donald Trump said he would create a new government agency called the External Revenue Service to collect tariffs and duties from foreign sources, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.

With Donald Trump preparing to return to the White House on January 20th, his proposed trade and economic policies are already making waves across industries. One of the most talked-about measures is a 25% tariff on Mexican imports, aimed at addressing the U.S. trade deficit and immigration tensions. While industries like automobiles and manufacturing are likely to bear the brunt of these tariffs, the tequila market, particularly the high-end tequila, finds itself in an interesting position. On The Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Samuel Gordon, CEO of GORDON PWC about how Trump’s policies could reshape the tequila industry.

With the Singapore Premier League returning after a 2-month hiatus, Geylang International's Mohd Noor Ali - the league's longest-serving head coach - is in the Sports Minutes hot seat. Tune is as he opens up about managing momentum during a long break, key transfers, and standout moments from the first half of the season. Find out what drives him, how he views his team’s prospects, and why he believes there’s much more to be achieved both at home and abroad. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg