Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Between endless tabs, scattered files, and siloed apps, Singapore’s digital workforce is drowning in inefficiency — losing over an hour a day to unproductive work. That adds up to a staggering SG$85 billion in lost output each year. In a bid to cut through the digital noise, Notion is offering a radical rethink of the modern workspace. The Peak sat down with Notion’s regional GM to explore how the platform aims to reshape productivity — and why the future of work might be simpler than we think. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Zat Astha, Editor-in-Chief, The Peak Singapore, to find out more. 

Singapore shares moved lower today, reversing the positive momentum seen in the previous session.  The Straits Times Index was down 0.49% at 4,252.16 points at 12.46pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$852.16M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Keppel DC Reit. The manager of the REIT said today that it posted a 12.8 per cent year-on-year increase in distribution per unit for its first half of the financial year ended June. Elsewhere, from how US President Donald Trump locked horns with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during a rare presidential visit to the US central bank overnight, to how Sony bought a strategic 2.5 per cent stake in Japanese game franchise giant Bandai Namco in a bid to grow its anime business – more international and corporate headlines remain in focus.  Also on deck – a quick look at Magnificent 7 earnings out thus far. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Benjamin Goh, Head of Research and Investor Education, SIAS.

Why would a battle-tested Aussie defender - who’s played across Indonesia, India, and Hong Kong - join Tanjong Pagar United, a side that finished bottom of the pile last season? Aaron Evans sits down with Sports Minutes to unpack his bold leap into Singapore football, and how he plans to lead a renewed Jaguars side with grit, fight, and foresight. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Earlier this year, we shared with you that we will be bringing you topical interviews with key leaders in the business world.  Housed under the “Under the Radar Specials” banner, these interviews are B2B focused and are meant to drive greater conversations in the business community.  Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian fulfils the promise she made by launching the first “In the Community” episode of Under the Radar Specials by looking at a corporate role that emerged only in the later half of the 20th century – the Chief of Staff.  The term typically refers to a high-ranking officer or a leader in the organisation that serves as an aide to a commander.  In the corporate world, a Chief of Staff is usually the bridge between the CEO charting out the strategic direction of the firm, and the teams ensuring the smooth running of day-to-day operations in the company.  But what exactly is a Chief of Staff? How senior is the Chief of Staff in the corporate ladder? Why are Chiefs of Staff needed and what exactly does it take to become one? Tian Tian sought to find out the answers to these questions by speaking to two individuals, one a Chief of Staff at a venture studio, and the other, a Chief of Staff at a global banking institution –  Eelee Lua, Chief of Staff, xcube.co and Geraldine Yip, Chief of Staff, HSBC Singapore.

The household recycling rate in 2024 fell to a record low of 11 per cent, down from the previous low of 12 per cent in 2023 and 2022. This comes despite initiatives to encourage more household recycling, such as the distribution of recycling boxes to all homes in 2023. The National Environment Agency told The Straits Times that the dip in 2024 was largely due to less paper and cardboard waste being recycled, although less domestic waste was generated that year. So what’s going wrong? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Sonny Rosenthal, Associate Professor of Sustainability Communication, Singapore Management University, to find out more. 

Gold is soaring, silver’s riding the green tech wave, and the dollar is on the decline. As precious metals outshine traditional assets, investors are rethinking where to place their bets. A new report from J. Rotbart & Co. breaks down what’s driving the shift and what it could mean for portfolios in the months ahead. Are real assets taking the lead in 2025? And is this just the beginning? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Joshua Rotbart, Founder and Managing Partner, J. Rotbart & Co, to find out more.

Singapore shares rose today to track a mostly positive day in Asia. The Straits Times Index was up 0.8% at 4,264.94 points at 2.12pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.09B seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have ST Engineering, after the group announced yesterday that it won new contracts valued at S$4.7 billion in Q2 of this year.  These comprise S$1.5 billion from the commercial aerospace segment, S$1.5 billion from the defence and public security segment and S$1.7 billion from the urban solutions and satcom segment.  Elsewhere, from talks that the European Union is edging towards a trade agreement with the US, to Nvidia supplier SK Hynix posting record quarterly profits today – 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. 

vLookUp AI is a global mentoring platform dedicated to empowering women to grow, thrive, and lead in their careers. Founded in July 2021, vLookUp brings together experienced diversity champions from 13 industries, nearly 70 organizations, and over 10 countries, with 35% of its mentors being men, underscoring the belief that inclusion requires collective effort. vLookUp offers an AI-enabled, integrated mentoring process and platform that complements organizational diversity and inclusion initiatives. Through personalized, real-time AI matching, an intuitive platform for end-to-end engagement, and flexible mentoring programs, vLookUp connects aspiring women leaders with seasoned mentors for impactful, tailored guidance. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kanchana, Founder & CEO, vLookUp.ai, to find out more.

Thailand is transforming its economy with bold new projects like the Eastern Economic Corridor—drawing global investors and reshaping Bangkok’s skyline. At the forefront is Magnolia Quality Development Corporation’s The Forestias, a visionary urban community blending luxury, nature, and innovation. But what makes Thailand—and Bangkok’s emerging districts—such magnets for Singaporean investors? And how will these developments redefine the future of living and investing in Southeast Asia? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Suttha Ruengchaiphaiboon, CEO, Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), to find out more. 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba plans to announce his resignation by the end of August, the Mainichi newspaper reported on July 23. According to the Yomiuri daily, Mr Ishiba told his close associates on July 22 evening that he would explain how he would take responsibility for the election loss once a solution was reached on trade negotiations. But Mr Ishiba has since denied those reports. Earlier today, US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to announce what he called a massive new trade deal with Japan, a staggering US$550 billion in Japanese investments into the US and paying a 15% reciprocal tariff. What does all this mean for Japan’s political stability, its relationship with Washington and the future of Mr Ishiba’s LDP? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Craig Mark, Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University in Tokyo Japan, to find out more.