Connect with us

Media OutReach

PAObank Announces FY2024 Annual Results Achieves Record-Breaking Performance Amplifies Resources to Expand Retail Banking Services

Published

on

Loan Assets Reach a Record High of HK$3.13 billion Customer Deposits Have Significant Growth of 74% Net Interest Income Surged 70% to over HK$130 million

  • In 2024, PAObank achieved outstanding performance across key operational indicators, with net interest income increasing significantly by 70% year-on-year to over HK$130 million.
  • Dedicated to empowering SMEs, PAObank remains committed to supporting their upgrade and transformation. In 2024, total loans and advances to customers sustained an upward trend to over HK$3.13 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 49%.
  • PAObank became a subsidiary of Lufax Holding Ltd., embarking on a new business strategy. PAObank is further expanding its retail banking services. The Bank offers attractive deposit interest rates by passing cost savings on to individual customers, total customer deposits for the year have increased significantly by 74% to HK$4.35 billion. Following the launch of bancassurance products this year, PAObank will roll out more retail banking services to create greater value for individual customers.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 April 2025 – PAO Bank Limited (“PAObank”), announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2024. As Hong Kong navigates a period of economic transformation, SMEs are confronted with significant funding needs to facilitate their upgrades and transitions. PAObank, as the first digital bank dedicated to SMEs in Hong Kong, has remained a steadfast presence to its clients. In 2024, PAObank achieved substantial business growth, reflected in its sustained improvements in core profitability. Net interest income for the year surged by 70% year-on-year to over HK$130 million, with a net interest margin increased to 3.17%.

Leveraging our forward-looking market strategies and solid business management, key operational indicators of PAObank in 2024 have shown significant growth. During the year, total loans and advances to customers increased by 49% year-on-year, surpassing HK$3.13 billion. Total customer deposits for the year rose by 74% to HK$4.35 billion, with loan-to-deposit ratio remaining at a stable level of 72%. In April 2024, PAObank officially became a subsidiary of Lufax Holding Limited (“Lufax”) (06623.HK, NYSE LU), embarking on the next phase of its business direction and strategy. PAObank is now focusing on expanding retail banking services while channelling more resources into product development and technology advancement. Meanwhile, the Bank passes cost savings on to individual customers in the form of attractive deposit interest rates. The related investments are reflected in the FY24 annual results.

Despite increased credit loss among SME customers due to economic instability last year, PAObank remains committed to its mission of supporting SMEs. The Bank has introduced more loan products to alleviate financial burdens of SMEs. Following the launch of the “Business Secured Loans” in the fourth quarter of 2024, which offers instalment loans and revolving loans for SMEs to facilitate their business growth and transformation, PAObank introduced “Cross-border e-Commerce Revolving Loan” in early 2025. This product targets the rapidly growing e-commerce market and supports SMEs in expanding their e-commerce business presence. Besides, PAObank proactively participated in the Government’s SME support measures and The Taskforce on SME Lending, contributing to broader efforts that support SMEs. PAObank is proactively addressing SME financing needs, our robust risk management system manages to maintain assets quality at healthy level. As of 31 December 2024, about 25%[1] of SMEs borrowing from PAObank have not obtained bank loans before, and about 8.2%[2] of start-ups operating for less than 3 years received unsecured loan, reflecting that PAObank is assisting SMEs in unlocking their full potential.

In addition, PAObank is proactively expanding its retail banking services and investing resources in products enhancement and development. In March 2025, PAObank obtained an Insurance Agency Licence and officially ventured into the insurance sector. PAObank has established strategic partnership with China Ping An Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited and FWD Hong Kong to provide general and life insurance respectively. By utilising cutting-edge fintech and Application Programming Interface (API) technology, PAObank integrates with the platform of insurance companies to offer seamless online bancassurance experience. PAObank will continue to broaden its range of financial services for individual customers this year by introducing more offerings beyond time deposits and insurance, and providing attractive deposit interest rates to reward customers, thereby fully advancing its retail banking business.

Looking ahead, leveraging its leading fintech advantages, PAObank is dedicated to providing more comprehensive and personalised financial solutions to both SMEs and individual customers. Amid global market volatility, PAObank will continue to closely monitor the portfolio’s credit performance and maintain robust credit quality. Staying true to the original mission of promoting financial inclusion, PAObank remains committed in delivering innovative solutions to address the service gaps in banking sectors and thus promotes the development of financial inclusion both locally and across the Greater Bay Area.

For the full report of PAObank’s 2024 financial statements, please visit www.paob.com.hk


[1] As of 31 December 2024, about 25% of SMEs borrowing from PAObank have not obtained bank loans before amongst the approved loan cases of PAObank.

[2] As of 31 December 2024, about 8.2% of SMEs were start-ups operating for less than 3 years amongst the approved loan cases of PAObank.

Hashtag: #PAObank

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

PAO Bank Limited

PAO Bank Limited (“PAObank”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufax Holding Ltd (“Lufax”) (SEHK: 6623; NYSE: LU) and a member of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (“Ping An”) (SEHK: 2318; SSE: 601318), is committed to fostering financial inclusion and establishing a digital banking ecosystem by leveraging its extensive experience in SME banking services and its leading financial technology advantages. PAObank was granted a banking licence by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in May 2019 to offer banking services via virtual channels. PAObank is expanding diverse business segments including retail banking and SME banking.

Media OutReach

Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors

Published

on

Air Corporate data reveals 9 in 10 founders incorporated in Hong Kong do so remotely, driven by a 20% surge in Middle Eastern entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – Air Corporate registered a 40.5% increase in Hong Kong incorporations in 2025, with the first quarter of 2026 already up 48% year-over-year. This data indicates that Hong Kong is reasserting itself as the leading Asian jurisdiction for company formation, fueled by a new wave of remote founders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The prevailing narrative over the past five years suggested that Singapore was eclipsing Hong Kong; however, recent incorporation volumes challenge this. According to city-wide official figures cited by Vivian, Founder of Air Corporate, approximately 195,000 companies were registered in Hong Kong in 2025, compared to around 77,000 in Singapore.

“There was a lot of fuss about Singapore taking over Hong Kong as preferred jurisdiction over the last few years, but for 2025 alone, around 195,000 companies were formed in HK, vs around 77,000 for Singapore,” said Vivian. While city-wide registrations rose roughly 35% in 2025, incorporations at Air Corporate specifically grew by 40.5%. Vivian added, “With a 35% increase in the number of companies registered in 2025, Hong Kong is definitely back in the game as the top jurisdiction to start a company.”

The reality of Hong Kong company formation is increasingly global, lean, and founder-led. Nine in ten founders incorporated in Hong Kong with Air Corporate do not live there.

Key demographic and operational insights from Air Corporate’s client base include:

  • Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while 10% or less are based in Hong Kong.
  • Entrepreneurs aged 35 to 44 represent the largest age cohort at 38%, demonstrating that Hong Kong attracts founders in their prime career years rather than just younger digital nomads.
  • Serial entrepreneurs make up 60% of Air Corporate’s client mix, utilizing Hong Kong as an operational base for multiple companies, while first-time founders account for the remaining 40%.
  • A total of 89% of new companies are launched by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
  • Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco rank among the top source markets for these founders.

Furthermore, 73% of new Hong Kong incorporations are directly tied to physical goods trade with China. This consists of e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and the trading of goods (35%). The recovery of in-person trade flows, including events, such as the Canton Fair and various industrial fairs, is pulling foreign founders back into the Greater China orbit and establishing Hong Kong as the natural entry point and financial layer over the world’s largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate’s data recorded a 20% year-over-year growth in founders originating from the Middle East. This shift highlights a reverse migration where founders previously incorporated in Dubai are now choosing Hong Kong. Based on Vivian’s observations, founders often arrive in Dubai expecting fast incorporation and low costs, but discover that incorporation and maintenance are significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong, and banking remains difficult. Consequently, many founders move to Hong Kong after 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend accelerated by the Hong Kong government’s strategic outreach to the region.

For lean, remote-first businesses, speed-to-market is a critical factor. A founder located anywhere in the world can incorporate in Hong Kong and open a working bank account in approximately 7 days using digital banking partners. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate’s clients utilize these digital banking partners.

“Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week,” concluded Vivian.

Air Corporate is a service provider facilitating company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong for serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating globally.

Media Inquiries
To learn more about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

Hashtag: #AirCorporate

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Continue Reading

Media OutReach

Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”

Published

on

Today’s biggest stars express individuality and confidence with natural diamonds

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – The 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” took place May 4th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, bringing together leading figures from across the globe for an unforgettable evening. These tastemakers showcased the most classic, refined and distinctive diamond jewelry looks of the season. Below, A Diamond is Forever highlights the standout trends from the event.

Desert diamonds

Desert diamonds emerged as a striking throughline on the Met Gala carpet, with a range of hues in distinctive settings taking focus.

Rihanna led the trend in a pair of exceptionally rare old Moghul Golconda fancy brown-yellow diamond earrings by Glenn Spiro, featuring two pear-shaped natural diamonds totaling 51.9 carats. Doja Cat offset her all nude look with a pair of large Leviev Diamonds floral-shaped earrings while Paloma Elsesser made a statement in a 29.5-carat diamond necklace by Bernard James, centered around a 15-carat fancy light yellow pear-shaped natural diamond. Cara Delevingne wore a De Beers London Forces of Nature High Jewelry ring, featuring marquise yellow diamonds set as eyes, while Emma Chamberlain opted for yellow and white diamond earrings by Chopard, underscoring the continued allure of warm diamond hues.

Magnificent Diamond Earrings

A wide variety of captivating silhouettes defined the natural diamond earrings on the Met Gala carpet. Zoë Kravitz delivered a modern twist with oversized diamond flower earrings by Jessica McCormack. Chase Sui Wonders opted for Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Sea Fan earrings, bringing an element of sculptural artistry to the look. Gracie Abrams selected gently dangling Chanel earrings, adding understated fluidity, while Connor Storrie selected simple hoop earrings from Tiffany & Co., reinforcing the clean and enduring appeal of natural diamonds.

Standout Diamond Moments

Natural diamonds appeared in personal, unconventional and eye-catching ways, offering moments of surprise and awe. Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z embodied this trend with Beyoncé wearing Chopard’s Queen of Kalahari necklace, named after the rare 342-carat diamond that provided 23 stones for Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari collection. Jay-Z contributed to the narrative with a vintage diamond brooch by Briony Raymond worn at the collar as an unexpected placement that underscored the piece’s versatility. Isha Ambani made the styling of diamonds an art form in itself, wearing her own diamond jewelry featuring approximately 150 carats of old mine-cut diamonds, including a three-strand necklace and chandelier earrings, while also incorporating diamonds sewn directly into the bodice of her sari to represent significant moments in her life.

Together, these looks highlighted a shift toward natural diamonds as vessels of personal expression, styled with intention, individuality, and a sense of the unexpected.

Hashtag: #MetGala #RedCarpet #ADiamondisForever #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds





The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Continue Reading

Media OutReach

Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026

Published

on

The premier music festival will play host to 16 K-pop, regional and Malaysian stars including, in performance order: Day 1 – NexT1DE, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Win Metawin, NMIXX, WINNER, DAESUNG, KUN. Day 2 – Uriah See, Firdhaus, Butterbear, 82MAJOR, STAYC, CRAVITY, TWS, CxM

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Your next major K-pop experience is just a savings goal away as HL Bank Singapore (“HLB Singapore”) bridges the gap between financial wellness and the front row. In an exclusive collaboration designed for the ultimate music enthusiast, the bank is offering fans the chance to secure a pair of sought-after AsiaTop Music Festival 2026 tickets, valued at up to RM1,098 (approx. S$355), simply by growing their wealth.

HL Bank Singapore is giving music fans the chance to redeem exclusive passes to the AsiaTop Music Festival 2026, featuring top Asian acts, through its iSavings Reward Campaign.

This unique initiative stems from the regional synergy between Hong Leong Bank (“HLB”) and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (JOOX and QQ Music). By aligning with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Selangor Year 2026, HLB is transforming the traditional banking experience into a gateway for premium entertainment. Scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, the festival promises a high-octane weekend featuring an elite lineup of Asian superstars, including the largest K-pop showcase in the ASEAN region.

Securing a spot at the heart of the action has been streamlined through the iSavings Reward Campaign, running from 9 May 2026 to 18 May 2026. To participate, fans first decide on their preferred festival experience, selecting either a pair of Standard Passes with a S$5,000 deposit or the high-energy, nearer-to-the-stars Rockzone Passes with a S$8,282 deposit for their chosen day.

Once a tier is selected, customers can register by depositing the qualifying funds into an iSavings account via FAST or Links transfer. To validate their entry, customers must include the specific Comment Code, such as PALLIR1 for Day 1 Rockzone, within the funds transfer description. The qualifying balance must be maintained within the account for a six-month (182 days) earmarked period.

With only 88 pairs of tickets available for this exclusive campaign, the stakes are high. Allocation is limited to 22 pairs per day for each ticket category and will be awarded strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to ensure their savings work as hard as they do while securing a premier seat at the musical event of the year.

For full terms & conditions, and further details, please visit: www.hlbank.com.sg/AsiaTop2026

Hashtag: #HLBankSingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HL Bank Singapore

HL Bank Singapore is the Singapore branch of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, a leading digital-centric Malaysia-based financial services institution with a rooted heritage in the country spanning over 120 years. Operating under a Full Bank Licence in Singapore, HL Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services to our business, retail and high networth customers through our 4 core business segments – Business & Corporate Banking, Personal Financial Services, Private Wealth Management and Global Markets.

Continue Reading

Trending