Claim OwnershipMoney Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian
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Money Matters is your guide to navigating the day's most important topics, from politics and current affairs to wealth management and trending issues. Every evening, the team delivers insightful discussions on business news, market movements, and the latest in alternative assets. Whether navigating the political landscape, understanding the economy, or uncovering emerging investment opportunities, Money Matters keeps you informed and ahead of the curve. Tune in daily to Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian from 4 pm to 7 pm on MONEY FM 89.3.
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Singapore’s public transport system is entering a period of adjustment, both in cost and commuter conduct. From December 27, fares for train and bus rides will go up by nine to ten cents for adults, reflecting an overall 5 per cent increase. It’s a smaller rise than in the previous two years, but one that comes alongside a change in how future adjustments are calculated, with energy and wage costs now factored in more promptly. At the same time, new laws have been passed to tackle inconsiderate behaviour on buses, targeting actions such as eating, littering, or playing loud music, with steeper penalties for repeat offenders. The move signals a broader effort to maintain comfort, order, and respect across the network. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics at Singapore University of Social Sciences, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Private credit is booming, with global assets topping two trillion dollars. One hotspot is the U.S. middle market, nearly half of America’s economy, where the lower tiers offer higher yields, stronger protections, and less competition. Why is this segment drawing so much attention, and what’s behind the growing interest from Asian investors?On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Thomas Cheong, President of Principal Asia and Executive Vice President of Principal Financial Group, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could a vacuum really handle all your cleaning? ECOVACS believes it can.The DEEBOT X11 OmniCyclone, now launched in Singapore, promises to clean every corner of your home, tackle tough stains, and make your cleaning routine effortless.On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with producer Nadiah Koh to find out more about ECOVAC's regional launch in Ho Chi Minh City. Nadiah Koh also spoke with Chris Ma, Head of Southeast Asia and Korea, ECOVACS about their presence in Southeast Asia and how the company is shaping the future of home robotics in the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares dipped today despite most Asian markets recording gains. The Straits Times Index was down 0.49% at 4,346.92 points at 11.51am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$667.54M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have SIA Group after the group said passenger traffic in September for Singapore Airlines (SIA) and subsidiary Scoot rose 3.7 per cent year on year. Elsewhere, from how an investor group including BlackRock, Microsoft and NVIDIA is buying one of the world’s biggest data centre operators to Wall Street's overnight performance amid big bank earnings out of corporate America – more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director, Azure Capital. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore’s Central Provident Fund has just reached a major milestone, becoming the first pension system in Asia-Pacific to earn an ‘A’ rating in the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index. It’s now in the same league as global leaders like Denmark, the Netherlands and Israel, systems often praised for their balance of adequacy, sustainability, and integrity. But as the population ages, life expectancy rises, and retirement expectations evolve, the big question is whether the CPF can continue to meet the diverse needs of future retirees, without compromising flexibility or fairness. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Lena Teng, Learning & Development and CPF Specialist, Providend, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore investors are parking more money into safer assets, with nearly 60 per cent of mutual fund inflows this year going into money market funds.What’s driving this flight to safety, and how can investors balance caution with long-term growth? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Daryl Liew, Chief Investment Officer at PhillipCapital, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stella Koh, Co-Founder, Joya Onsen Cafe. Singaporeans love Japan, the food, the culture, the little rituals that make life feel a little more relaxed. But what if you could experience that without flying thousands of miles away? At just 19, Stella Koh decided to bring the Japanese onsen experience - a tradition most people only encounter in Japan, right here to Singapore. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Stella Koh, Co-Founder, Joya Onsen Cafe, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares rebounded from yesterday’s losses today. The Straits Times Index was up 0.43% at 4,373.29 points at 11.16am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$569.13M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Centurion, given how the group acquired a land site in central London for £41 million (S$71 million) via a joint venture (JV) with US-based real estate firm Landmark Properties. Elsewhere, from how China’s deflation eased in September, to how Intel has announced a new artificial intelligence chip for the data centre that it plans to launch next year – more international and corporate headlines remained in focus. Also on deck – how US banks fared per their latest earnings reports out at the start of the week. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeff Ng, Head of Asia Macro Strategy, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
They wanted redemption...and they delivered! Singapore silenced the critics with a gutsy 2-1 win over India to keep their AFC Asian Cup hopes alive. Former Lion Adam Swandi joins Sports Minutes to share his verdict, along with the post-match reactions of Safuwan Baharudin and Ikhsan Fandi from Goa. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's all about hypercars in this “On the Go” Special episode of “Under the Radar” as Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian headed down to BUGATTI Singapore’s showroom at 45 Leng Kee Road. Founded by Ettore BUGATTI in 1909, BUGATTI prides itself as a state-of-the-art hyper sports car marque, and is said to produce the world’s most powerful and luxurious cars. Fun fact – each car is still hand-assembled at the firm’s Atelier in Molsheim. Today, BUGATTI is part of the BUGATTI Rimac Group, and is laser focused on developing the next generation of hyper sports cars. And the CEO and President of BUGATTI Mate Rimac is in town to mark the 20th anniversary of its iconic model, the BUGATTI Veyron. The BUGATTI Veyron became the world’s first production car with more than 1,000 hp and a top speed of over 250mph in 2005. Tian Tian caught up with Mate briefly during the anniversary celebration event to find out about his priorities for the business, his take on the importance of Southeast Asia and Singapore as markets for the company, as well as BUGATTI’s future lineup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Over 70% of Singaporeans have yet to use their one-off $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up, which will expire at the end of this year. That’s a missed opportunity, especially at a time when Artificial Intelligence is rapidly changing the job market. With the government urging workers to become more AI-fluent and employers increasingly valuing digital skills, many are now asking: how can Singaporeans make full use of their SkillsFuture Credit, and invest it in something that truly future-proofs their careers? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with John Amos Tan, Generative AI Instructor at Vertical Institute, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
K-beauty isn’t just a global trend, it’s shaping the way private equity invests. With giants like Blackstone and KKR snapping up brands and suppliers, the sector is transforming private markets, proving that skincare and cosmetics can be serious business for investors seeking growth and global reach. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Wong Chia Peck, Senior Correspondent, The Business Times, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nicholas Cheng founded VideoPulse, a creative studio built for tech companies that helps turn complex products into clear, story-led videos. What started as a passion for visual storytelling has grown into a system trusted by global teams at DocuSign, Samsung, HP, and YC startups. He also leads Tracework.ai, a GenAI-powered workflow platform backed by Microsoft GenAI and NUS Enterprise. Tracework helps teams capture their expertise and transform repetitive know-how into scalable, easy-to-follow guides. At the intersection of storytelling, design, and AI, Nicholas is rethinking how technology teams communicate, turning ideas into stories and knowledge into systems that actually work. On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong spoke to Nicholas Cheng, Founder of VideoPulse and Tracework.ai, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares slid today as investors continue to monitor renewed US-China trade fears. The Straits Times Index was down 0.57% at 4,364.69 points at 1.59pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.03B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have Mapletree Logistics Trust, after the manager of Mapletree Logistics Trust yesterday announced that it had completed the divestment of an Australian property for A$60 million (S$50.4 million). Meanwhile, from how the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) kept monetary policy settings unchanged for the second consecutive time in today’s quarterly policy meeting, to how silver prices touched an all-time high above US$52.50 an ounce, more economic headlines remained in focus On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Abhilash Narayan, Investment Strategist, HSBC Global Private Banking and Premier Wealth.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared that “the war in Gaza is over.” His statement follows a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, one that’s held for several days now and includes the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The agreement also outlines plans for what Trump has called a “Board of Peace”- a body meant to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and long-term stability. But questions remain: How lasting is this ceasefire? Do all sides truly see the war as over? And what comes next for the people and politics of Gaza after months of devastation? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Dr Jessica Genauer, Senior Lecturer in International Relations, Flinders University, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Across Asia, a new wave of collectors in their 30s is turning wine into more than just a drink, it’s becoming an investment. But what makes a bottle worth holding or selling, years down the line? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Victor Choy, Executive Director of K Cellars and certified sommelier, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re surrounded by beautiful campaigns. They’re fast, efficient, and algorithmically approved.But sometimes, even the most flawless work leaves us feeling… nothing. Elyssa Ng has spent years inside that tension, where creative intuition meets automation. As Co-Founder and Creative Director of Kredence Creative Solutions, she’s asking a tougher question:If machines can already make what “works,” what does it take to make something that matters? On The Right Business, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Elyssa Ng, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Kredence Creative Solutions, to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Singapore shares slipped today to track declines seen in Asia. The Straits Times Index was down 1.2% at 4,373.88 points at 2.20pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$1.18B seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch, we have UOL and Singapore Land Group, after the 666-unit condominium Skye at Holland proved to be the strongest project launch in 2025, selling 98.8 per cent of units over the weekend. Elsewhere, from how shares of mainboard-listed InnoTek rallied on the back of order wins for Nvidia and Shenzhen-listed IEIT Systems, to how US-China trade frictions sent Asian currencies to a five-month low, more international headlines remained in focus. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the key developments to watch for the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A painful night. A long flight. And now, a do-or-die showdown in Goa. Ilhan Fandi speaks exclusively to Sports Minutes on bouncing back from late heartbreak last time out, finding belief and his scoring touch, and chasing history for Singapore - ahead of the Lions' clash against India on Tuesday, 14th October. Got a story to tell? Get in touch!raushan@sph.com.sgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In light of recent cases, the bystander effect has once again captured public attention. A child wanders alone through a busy MRT station. A man collapses on the street. At Singapore Management University, a video went viral showing a woman kicking another woman on the ground, and bystanders watching, hesitating to intervene. Dozens of people see, yet no one moves. And even if the cameras are raised, eyes dart away, and the crowd waits for someone else to act. Psychologists call this the bystander effect, the phenomenon where the more people present, the less likely anyone is to help. But does the bystander effect reveal a lack of empathy? Or is it simply a human instinct to freeze in uncertainty, even when we care? On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Dr Annabelle Chow, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Annabelle Psychology and Dr Razwana Begum, Head of Public Safety and Security Programme, Singapore University of Social Sciences, to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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