Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

A late mistake proved costly as Singapore’s hopes of Asian Cup qualification took a hit. Sports Minutes unpacks the fallout from a gut-wrenching draw against India - as we hear from coaches & players, while discussing what it means for the road ahead. READ MORE: https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/singapore-rue-loss-in-concentration-in-1-1-draw-against-india-in-asian-cup-qualifying-setback Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

 The certificate of entitlement (COE) premium for smaller cars and electric vehicles (EVs) reached another high of $128,105 at the Oct 8 exercise, up 7.6 per cent from the previous tender. This is the third consecutive tender where a record was set in Category A, which is meant for smaller and less powerful cars and EVs. The previous high was $119,003, recorded at the tender on Sept 17. The premium for Category B COEs, used to register larger and more powerful cars and EVs, was $141,000 – a 3 per cent increase from the $136,890 registered at the last exercise. It is the highest the Category B COE price has been since the record of $150,001 was set in October 2023. What’s driving this relentless climb, and how much higher can prices go? Plus, what does this mean for the average car buyer trying to navigate this market? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Lee Nian Tjoe, Senior Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, to find out more. 

Singapore companies are keeping a tight rein on salary hike in 2026, even as their turnover levels remain among the highest in South-east Asia, according to a new survey by professional services firm Aon. Companies here are budgeting a 4.3 per cent salary increase in 2026 – the same as the actual growth in 2025. Regionally, companies in Vietnam are budgeting the highest salary hike at 7.1 per cent in 2026, followed by Indonesia at 5.9 per cent and the Philippines at 5.2 per cent. According to the survey, turnover levels in Singapore firms during the period from June 1, 2024 to June 1, 2025, remained among the highest at 19.3 per cent in the region, just behind the Philippines (20 per cent). So, what do these figures mean for workers and employers in Singapore?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Rachel Jayaprakash, Research Lead for the Salary Increase and Turnover Study Southeast Asia and Head of Talent Solutions for Malaysia, Aon, to find out more. 

Most young Singaporeans are still sticking to savings accounts, but in a world of market swings, rising rates, and global uncertainty, is that enough to grow your wealth? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Rohith Murthy, Chief Executive Officer and Director of MoneyHero Group, to find out more.

Singapore shares dipped today as Asian markets mostly traded in the green.  The Straits Times Index fell 0.15% to 4,449.53 points at 11.55am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$639.56M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel Reit, after the manager of the real estate investment trust (Reit) announced today that the private placement to raise about S$113 million for the acquisition of Top Ryde City Shopping Centre in Sydney, Australia, has closed.  Elsewhere, from how HSBC Holdings plans to take Hang Seng Bank private in a deal that values the lender at US$37 billion to Netflix bringing video games to its TV service for the first time – more corporate headlines remained in focus. Also on deck – how Chinese stocks fared as investors returned after a long break and whether the ongoing AI rally has gone too fast and too far. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with Terence Wong, CEO, Azure Capital. 

A Singapore-based firm, Changting Network Technology, is now the focus of a police probe, accused of luring jobseekers with false promises of work in Singapore that led instead to a scam-linked resort in Cambodia. Investigations by The Straits Times have uncovered fresh details about the company’s recruitment tactics, its ties to a prominent Cambodian businessman, and how unsuspecting jobseekers were drawn in. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Aqil Hamzah, Journalist, The Straits Times, to find out more about what they've uncovered about this case. They also discuss how technology is fuelling more sophisticated scams, according to Interpol.  If you'd like to read more, check out the articles by The Straits Times: Police looking into S’pore firm luring job seekers to scam-linked Cambodian resort https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/police-looking-into-spore-firm-luring-jobseekers-to-scam-linked-cambodian-resort Criminal syndicates tapping AI to improve scams, human trafficking: Interpol https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/criminal-syndicates-tapping-ai-to-improve-scams-human-trafficking-interpol  

Jewellery is no longer just about adornment, it’s becoming a serious investment. With value tied to craftsmanship, rarity, and provenance, these wearable assets offer both emotional and financial returns. But how do you spot the pieces that will hold their worth over time? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Angela Loh, CEO, The Advocators and Co, to find out more. 

Could a frozen yoghurt shop become the city’s next must-visit hangout? Australia’s cult-favourite Yo-Chi seems to have done just that. With self-serve froyo, acai bowls, and a playful, immersive experience, it’s already winning fans in Singapore, hours before its doors even opened at Orchard Central. So, what’s Yochi’s strategy? Why is it the right business here in Singapore?  On Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Amy Bell, Co-Owner, Yo-Chi, to find out more. 

DBS hit a new record high, lifting its market capitalization past S$150 billion, nearly double that of its nearest rival, OCBC. Analysts cite the bank’s combination of growth, safety, and income, making it a standout in Singapore’s banking sector. Keppel REIT also took a bold step into the retail market with the acquisition of a 75% stake in Sydney’s Top Ryde City Shopping Centre for about A$394 million, marking a shift from its traditional focus on prime office properties and raising questions about the impact on yield and risk. The Singapore dollar strengthens to its highest level against the Japanese yen in over a year, holding steady against the U.S. dollar even as most Asian currencies weaken, prompting discussions on what’s supporting the currency and how investors might respond. On Market View, Nadiah Koh speaks to Kenneth Goh, Director, Private Wealth Management, UOB Kay Hian, to discuss the latest market movements.

He’s earned his first Lions call-up, and plenty of attention. Jonan Tan joins Sports Minutes to discuss his footballing rise, life in Portugal, and what it means to receive his maiden call-up for Singapore ahead of two crucial ties in the hunt for Asian Cup qualification. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg