In today’s dynamic landscape, asset managers have an opportunity to be champions of positive change. By embracing an adaptive mindset and establishing a robust framework for seizing emerging opportunities, they can lead the way in navigating the forces of digitalization, generative AI, and the growing emphasis on ESG. Join us in playing a pivotal role in “Reshaping Tomorrow”.
9:00am
Speaker:
9:15am
Speaker:
9:45am
The investment landscape is potentially undergoing a regime change, and investors must navigate a complex array of challenges to achieve their financial goals. This session will explore the key trends shaping the new investment environment, including higher interest rates, technology disruptions, and a riskier geopolitical environment. The South East Asian region will not be immune from these global developments, particularly in the context of potential political changes. With interest rates likely to remain elevated for longer, investors must be prepared to re-underwrite parts of their portfolio that were premised on a low interest rate world. Meanwhile, the transformative power of technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning has significantly changed the way both investors and asset managers now navigate the new investment environment, presenting both opportunities and challenges. This session will provide valuable insights and practical advice for investors seeking to navigate these complex trends and achieve their investment objectives in the new investment environment.
Speakers:
Moderator:
10:40am
11:10am
The complexity and uncertainty in investment decision making have increased while the range of investment strategies and products has expanded way beyond optimizing the traditional tradeoff between stocks and bonds. The standard one-period mean-variance framework is not enough to capture the wealth of risk and return objectives, including ESG criteria, that investors nowadays want to evaluate their strategies for the future on. The potential impact of climate change makes investment outcomes even more uncertain. This session will explore how innovative approaches from the fields of scenario analysis, portfolio optimization, risk management, sustainable investing and artificial intelligence can support investors in dealing with this increasing complexity and uncertainty to achieve their goals. The speakers on the panel will provide an accessible discussion of these topics from a methodological, technological and practical perspective.
Speakers:
Moderator:
12:00pm
Speaker:
12:15pm
1:00pm
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Masterclass 1 - Navigating the Future of Asset Management: Leveraging Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs)
In the rapidly evolving landscape of investment management, Generative AI and LLMs offer both groundbreaking opportunities and complex risks. These technologies have the capacity to revolutionize decision-making, automate due diligence, and enhance client engagement. However, they also pose significant challenges in terms of compliance, security, and ethical considerations.
Failure to adapt to this transformation will leave firms obsolete, while reckless adoption could result in severe regulatory and financial repercussions. Our upcoming presentation will provide an analysis on how to strategically integrate these technologies, ensuring you remain competitive without compromising on risk management or ethical considerations. The future is here—navigate it wisely to avoid becoming a cautionary tale.
Trainers:
Click here to see draft lesson plan
Masterclass 2 - The Brave New World of Tokenization & Blockchain in Asset Management
Blockchain or Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a disruptive technology that is transforming many industries, including asset management. Initially only associated with highly volatile cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, the underlying technology has materially evolved and is spurring a new frontier of technological and financial innovation.
Blockchain introduces a new financial mechanism in the form of tokenisation and new financial instruments known as digital assets. Tokenisation brings significant changes to the way data and assets are recorded, managed and transferred. It can reduce the need for reconciliation and digitise assets in a way which makes them more accessible and tradable.
Blockchain technology provides a decentralised and secure platform for recording financial transactions. In asset management, this can lead to increased transparency, reduced costs, and faster transactions. In practical terms, this may translate to reduced number of servicing partners, quicker settlement periods, lower costs and therefore a better overall experience for the investor.
As with all disruptive technologies, blockchain introduces novel opportunities as well as risks. Firms need to carefully consider the technical and regulatory implications before implementing these technologies. The technology may be evolutionary in nature, but the potential impact to our industry can be revolutionary.
Trainers:
Click here to see draft lesson plan
Masterclass 3 - Building better portfolios with ETFs
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) have come a long way since they were first launched in 1993, with global ETF assets having surpassed US$10 trillion in 2023. From a niche investment option relative to traditional funds, ETFs have become one of the most popular tools in investors’ portfolios. Innovation is continuing to provide more and more choices for a range of buyers–from first-time investors to professional wealth and asset managers–to choose how they navigate investing in a way that’s convenient for them.
This masterclass is designed for investors keen to explore how to build better portfolios with ETFs. Be part of an engaging session where subject matter experts from iShares by BlackRock, the leading ETF provider in the world, demystify and help you navigate the dynamic world of ETFs.
Objectives and learning outcomes:
Trainers:
Click here to see draft lesson plan
Masterclass 4 - Through the Lens of a CIO: A Masterclass in Asset Allocation
It is an exciting time to be in asset allocation. Traditional financial theory has found that a vast part of portfolio returns can be attributed to asset allocation, but the environment in which we operate and invest in today is evolving at a rapid and unprecedented pace. Structural changes driven by developments like climate change, geopolitical-led policies, the evolving correlation between traditional asset classes, and technological advancements are amongst the many important factors that are impacting asset allocation decisions and driving long-term returns.
Be a part of an engaging and interactive session that will go beyond basic theory to simulate the complex decision-making reality of asset allocation investors. Hear from highly experienced professionals who will share their knowledge on asset allocation concepts and techniques, and guide you through difficult real-world scenarios. Through this process, participants will gain a deeper understanding on what it takes to build robust investment portfolios across a variety of economic environments.
This masterclass is designed for investors, managers, and service intermediary professionals that are keen to explore the building blocks of portfolio allocation and learn the techniques for adjusting allocations across various scenarios from seasoned investors.
Trainers:
Click here to see draft lesson plan
Masterclass 5 - One-size-fits-all? Democratising wealth at scale
Our differences are what makes us unique as individuals. For the most part, our industry has embraced the idea that one-size does not fit all when it comes to investing and financial planning.
Yet too many choices can create more challenges, which beckons the question: should investing for a long-term goal like retirement be made more accessible than what it is today?
In this vast and evolving investment landscape, clients are either overwhelmed by the myriad of investment options presented by multiple institutions or are left holding investments that may not serve their needs as they enter a new stage of life. Harnessing the full potential of open-banking and actively embracing digital enablers will be key to creating high quality, comprehensive and customisable financial planning tools and products that can empower individuals to invest for their long-term goals.
Trainers:
Click here to see draft lesson plan
5:00pm
