Media OutReach
PAObank Receives Insurance Agency Licence, Announces the Strategic Partnership with China Ping An Insurance (Hong Kong) and FWD Hong Kong Respectively
Offering Both General and Life Insurance to Meet Customers’ Various Protection Needs
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2025 – PAO Bank Limited (“PAObank”) announced that it has been granted an Insurance Agency Licence from the Insurance Authority (“IA”) and has signed strategic partnership agreements with China Ping An Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited (“PAHK”) and FWD Hong Kong (“FWD”) respectively. PAObank is launching both general and life insurance services, offering retail banking customers a seamless bancassurance experience.
PAObank has entered into a bancassurance partnership with PAHK, leveraging on their extensive general insurance expertise as a solid support for this collaboration, to provide a wide array of diverse products, including motor insurance, travel insurance, and home insurance solutions to meet customers’ various protection needs.
Meanwhile, PAObank has further deepened its partnership with insurer, FWD, following the successful launch of Hong Kong’s first bank-insurance “Commercial Data Interchange” (CDI) collaboration, which promotes cross-sector data interchange and leads breakthroughs in the data integration and applications for Hong Kong’s financial sectors. PAObank and FWD are now expanding their collaboration to retail banking, offering life insurance products to customers.
By seamlessly integrating financial technology and Application Programming Interface (API) technology, PAObank connects with insurance companies’ platforms to offer comprehensive online one-stop insurance services. Customers can now easily purchase insurance at their fingertips, enjoying a more convenient, seamless, and secure insurance experience. With just a few simple steps, they can ensure reliable protection for themselves and their families.
Mr. Ambrose Wong, Chief Executive of PAObank, said, “Obtaining the Insurance Agency Licence is a pivotal milestone for the development of our retail banking services. We are delighted to have reached a strategic partnership agreement with PAHK and FWD respectively to further expand our financial services offerings for our individual customers. In addition to time deposits and insurance services, we are accelerating efforts to launch more insurance products. With a focus on serving SMEs and individual customers, we aim to provide a diverse array of financial services, creating greater value for our clients.”
Mr. Kelvin Cheung, Managing Director of PAHK stated, “The online insurance business of PAHK provides customers with 24/7 online instant quotes and insurance application services, significantly improving customer experience and striving to achieve the concept of ‘humanised financial services’. We are very pleased to collaborate with PAObank to offer excellent protection plans and services to our customers.”
Mr. Ken Lau, Managing Director of Greater China and Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer, FWD said, “We are delighted to further strengthen our strategic partnership with PAObank. FWD is actively expanding our multi-channel distribution strategy to serve more customers through our bancassurance partnership network. Through this collaboration, FWD will provide more customers with life insurance products, working hand in hand with PAObank to bring greater benefits to both parties.”
PAObank will continue to innovate and leverage financial technology to provide SMEs and individual customers with comprehensive, convenient, and personalised financial solutions. At the same time, PAObank will continue to establish a sustainable financial ecosystem and facilitate the development of digital banking.
Please refer to the PAObank website at www.paob.com.hk for details. For any enquiries, please contact us through Live Chat in the PAObank APP or call the customer services hotline at 3762 9900.
Hashtag: #PAObank #PAHK #FWD #Bancassurance
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 digital channels. PAObank is expanding diverse business segments including retail banking and SME banking.
China Ping An Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited
China Ping An Insurance (Hong Kong) Company Limited boasts a well-established operational framework and a professional management team, continuously advancing diversified insurance businesses to keep pace with market trends and meet the needs of large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and individual customers. The company actively promotes the concept of “humanized financial services”. Since 2010, the company has successfully expanded its online insurance business, bringing new opportunities to the development of general insurance. Customers can now enjoy 24/7 online instant quotation and insurance application services, allowing them to choose the right protection for themselves and their families anytime and anywhere. The online application process requires no document submission, with the entire process taking as little as 5 minutes, fully automated with instant approval and policy issuance. All insurance products feature transparent and clear key terms, and customers can conveniently complete applications and renewals online. The company is committed to providing exceptional service to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
FWD Hong Kong
FWD Hong Kong is part of the FWD Group, a pan-Asian life and health insurance business with more than 12 million customers across 10 markets, including some of the fastest-growing insurance markets in the world. FWD is a top five insurer in Hong Kong*.
FWD Hong Kong has been assigned strong financial ratings by international agencies. It offers life and medical insurance, employee benefits, and financial planning.
The company was established in 2013 and is focused on making the insurance journey simpler, faster and smoother, with innovative propositions and easy-to-understand products, supported by digital technology. Through this customer-led approach, FWD is committed to changing the way people feel about insurance.
For more information about FWD Hong Kong please visit www.fwd.com.hk.
*According to Provisional Statistics on Hong Kong Long Term Insurance Business – January to December in 2023, Insurance Authority of Hong Kong, 《Pi Financial Services Intelligence report》- December 2022 and December 2023, as well as FWD’s own assessment based on its understanding on the statistics and market information, FWD ranks top five in new business case count, net growth of life insurance intermediaries’ headcount, tied agency channel new business FYP, brokerage channel new business FYP, bancassurance channel new business FYP, as well as online and direct platform new business case count.
Media OutReach
Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors
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.
Media OutReach
Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”
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
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Media OutReach
Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026
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.
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.
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