Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

This year’s Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore was dominated by sharp warnings, strategic posturing, and urgent calls for stronger defense cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.  US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took center stage, warning of the “threat” posed by China and urging allies to ramp up military spending and deepen ties with Washington.  But while China was the subject of much of the discussion — it wasn’t there to respond in full. Why did China step back? Was it a tactical retreat or a diplomatic misstep?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Lim Tai Wei, East Asian expert & Professor at Soka University, to find out more.

Singapore shares dipped today, tracking movements in regional bourses.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.45% at 3,877.24 points at 2.46pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$839.73M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Grand VentureTechnology, because the semiconductor company said yesterday that it had paused its proposed secondary listing on Malaysia’s Bursa exchange in view of confidential talks with a third party in relation to a possible transaction which could lead to an offer for its shares.  Elsewhere, from an announcement by US President Donald Trump last Friday to double tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 25% to 50%, to Samsung reportedly nearing a wide-ranging deal to invest in Perplexity AI – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.   On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chin Hui Leong, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

For years, Asia’s economic engines powered up by selling to America and stashing the proceeds in US assets. But that old rhythm is faltering. As Washington grapples with ballooning deficits, surging yields, and a protectionist pivot, investors are beginning to ask: Is the era of "Buy America" quietly ending? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong takes a closer look at the forces behind a growing “Sell America” trend and why it could reshape the future of markets, power, and the global economic order, with Danish Lim, Senior Investment Analyst, Phillip Nova. 

Bridging the Gap is a pioneering early intervention centre in Singapore dedicated to supporting children with developmental needs. Founded by Janice Tay, a mother who experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating the special education system, the centre offers a holistic, multidisciplinary approach combining speech therapy, occupational therapy, educational therapy, and social skills training. With a focus on personalised, customised programmes tailored to each child’s unique strengths and challenges, Bridging the Gap aims to unlock every child’s potential and nurture their growth in a nurturing, inclusive environment.  On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Janice Tay, Founder & Clinical Director, Bridging the Gap, to find out more.

It’s all about the payments landscape today as we speak to a global leader in real-time cross border payments.  Founded in 2014, our guest for today is fintech player Nium, a company whose mission is to deliver the global payments of infrastructure of tomorrow, today.  And there is an interesting story behind how the company came about. The firm was born out of frustration after its co-founder Prajit Nanu faced numerous challenges in sending money from India to Thailand to arrange a bachelor’s party for his friend.  A Thai resort had refused to use his credit card and had insisted on a bank transfer of US$640. And while you might imagine the transfer to be a relatively seamless process, Nanu’s bank in India required an extensive list of documents to facilitate the transaction.  But such issues may be a thing of the past. After all, Nium said its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans over 220 markets, 100 of which in real time.  Funds can also be disbursed to accounts, wallets and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. The firm also has a growing card issuance business available in 40 countries.  With its proposition and its extensive payment network, the San Francisco and Singapore headquartered firm achieved the unicorn status after a series D funding round in 2021. It is valued at US$1.4 billion as of September 2024.  But why are we speaking to Nium you might ask? Well, Nium had in November 2024 opened its new headquarters in Singapore. Its Singapore headquarters will serve as the firm’s strategic hub for the Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa regions.  So how far will the new headquarters position the firm for exponential growth? Did the firm also set up its headquarters here to be closer to its largest shareholder – Singapore’s Temasek? Meanwhile, the firm also said then that it aims to go public within two years. Again – to what extent is the firm on track to do so?   On Under the Radar, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Anupam Pahuja, EVP and General Manager of Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, Nium.

Records smashed, trophies lifted, stars departing! We dive into the drama and glory of Singapore Premier League Awards Night, as the best in class of the 2024/25 campaign were celebrated. Were the winners deserving? And have we seen the last of some of domestic football's finest stars? Deepanraj Ganesan weighs in on all of this and more! READ MORE: Tomoyuki Doi named Player of the Year at Singapore Premier League awards night Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Now imagine this: If all our local food places were shut down, one by one, because of high rent… where are Singaporeans going to enjoy a meal outside of home? It’s not just about losing our favourite hawker stalls, cafes, or family-run eateries, but about losing the heartbeat of daily life. So when rising rents start pushing F&B businesses out, it becomes a genuine concern. Yet some say that the increasing rents are part of a healthy, growing economy because it reflects demand, drives property development, and rewards landlords and investors.  On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Fabian Lim, Co-owner of JOFA Meepok, JOFA Grill and JOFA-Oji Donburi and Zoey T., Senior Associate Director, Propnex in order to find out whether raising rental prices, even for F&B businesses, is essential for economic growth.  

"The key to successful investing isn’t chasing the hottest stock—it’s knowing what to avoid." That’s wisdom straight from Warren Buffett, one of the greatest investors of all time. In a world of crypto hype, market noise, and rapid economic shifts, Buffett’s patient, value-driven approach can seem almost old-fashioned. But is it? Can his timeless strategies still guide investors today—especially here in Singapore? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Steve Alain Lawrence, CIO of Balfour Capital Group, to find out more. 

IHH Healthcare’s Q1 net profit fell 33%, mainly due to lower monetary gains and the absence of a one-off tax credit in Turkey. Across Asia, Japan’s inflation surge raises questions about the Bank of Japan’s next moves, while Hyundai’s potential US price hikes spotlight trade tensions and inflation concerns. In the US, softer-than-expected GDP figures and ongoing tariff debates add complexity to the Fed’s policy outlook and global investor sentiment. On Market View, Alexandra Parada speaks to Dan Chang, Investment Specialist and Trading Representative at PhillipCapital, to discuss the latest market movements.

Close With Copy is a hybrid human-AI copywriting consultancy that helps businesses grow through strategic content, founder branding, and practical AI integration. Built for lean teams and fast-moving businesses, Close With Copy specialises in conversion-focused copy which helps high-performing landing pages, sales funnels, and email sequences that turn traffic into revenue. It also works closely with founders to build personal brands that drive visibility, trust, and inbound opportunities. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Audrey Chia, Founder, Close With Copy, to find out more.