Media OutReach
WMI and Law Society of Singapore Launch Certification Targeting 6,500 Lawyers to Support Family Office Sector Growth
The partnership addresses a growing need for legal training in this area, as demand surges for specialised legal expertise amid the rapid expansion of Singapore’s family office landscape. The nation has witnessed exceptional growth in its family office sector, with single-family offices exceeding 2,000 by the end of 2024, over five times the number just five years ago. This growth mirrors Singapore’s broader wealth management success, with a year-on-year increase of 12.2% in assets under management (AUM) in 2024, surpassing SGD 6 trillion for the first time. As wealthy families seek increasingly sophisticated legal guidance, it is vital to create formal pathways for lawyers to develop the specialised knowledge required.
The legal profession’s involvement in family office advisory services has become increasingly critical as wealthy families require sophisticated guidance on complex cross-border structures, regulatory compliance, and succession planning. Family office legal counsel must navigate varied asset portfolios, multiple jurisdictions, and intricate family dynamics while maintaining the highest standards of discretion and professional ethics.
From 2026, WMI will offer Foundation and Advanced programmes covering topics from family office governance, wealth and succession planning, operations and management, anti-money laundering and compliance, ESG and international tax considerations.
Ms. Lisa Sam, President of the Law Society of Singapore, emphasised the strategic importance for the legal profession, “The collaboration with the Wealth Management Institute provides a structured platform to develop legal expertise in the family office and private wealth advisory sector. It aligns the legal profession’s capabilities with the evolving needs of Singapore’s wealth management ecosystem.
As the family office and private wealth advisory space continues to grow, this collaboration provides an important platform to ensure that the legal profession is well-positioned to support Singapore’s broader wealth management ecosystem.”
Ms. Foo Mee Har, CEO of WMI, remarked, “We are honoured to partner with the Law Society of Singapore to further strengthen the nation’s capabilities as Asia’s premier family office hub. Lawyers play an indispensable role in establishing governance frameworks, navigating cross-border legal complexities, managing succession planning, and safeguarding long-term family interests. Robust legal advisory is fundamental to the integrity and sustainability of family office structures. This certification is designed to equip lawyers with the specialised expertise required to serve as trusted advisors in an increasingly complex and globalised family office environment.”
The certification programme will draw on WMI’s established faculty network, which includes prominent lawyers among its faculty members and alumni. It will also be overseen by an Expert Panel with representation from the Law Society to ensure industry alignment and practical relevance.
The programme forms part of a broader initiative in continuing professional education (CPE), as all Singapore lawyers are now required to obtain three Mandatory Ethics Component (MEC) points annually. The certification will be fully accredited by the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF), making it eligible for IBF-STS and SkillsFuture funding support.
This initiative builds on WMI’s established leadership in family office education through the Global-Asia Family Office (GFO) Circle, launched in 2021 with the support of the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The GFO Circle has grown to over 1,400 members, and WMI has recorded over 5,300 enrolments in its family office programmes to date.
Hashtag: #WMI
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About WMI
Established in 2003, the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) is committed to building capabilities for investing in a better tomorrow. Founded by GIC and Temasek, our vision is to be Asia’s Centre of Excellence for wealth and asset management education and research.
WMI provides a comprehensive suite of practice-based certification and diploma programmes and collaborates with leading universities for master’s degrees. With over 17,000 annual enrolments, WMI serves a diverse community of professionals across Asia—including wealth and asset managers, family offices, and professionals in tax, legal, compliance, and financial regulation across more than 150 programmes. WMI is recognised as Singapore’s lead training provider for private banking and wealth management.
WMI helms the Global-Asia Family Office (GFO) Circle, a trusted network platform that builds capabilities and fosters community within the family office sector. The GFO Circle is supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). WMI also leads the Asia Centre for Changemakers (ACC), supported by Temasek Trust and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). The ACC aims to build capacity and nurture a strong pipeline of active and informed changemakers with a focus on Asia.
About The Law Society of Singapore
The Law Society of Singapore is the representative body for all lawyers in Singapore. Established under the Legal Profession Act 1966, it works to uphold the honour and independence of the legal profession, promote the interests of its members, and ensure access to justice by the public. The Law Society provides guidance, education, and advocacy on matters of law, and engages in community outreach to improve legal awareness. Through its initiatives, the Law Society strives to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct and to contribute meaningfully to Singapore’s legal landscape. The mission of the Law Society is to serve its members and the public by sustaining an independent bar which upholds the rule of law and ensures access to justice.
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
https://adiamondisforever.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/debeersgroup/
http://www.twitter.com/DeBeersGroup
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571905725935
https://www.instagram.com/adiamondisforeverhk/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn