TOPIC

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Bank of America

Bank of America: A leading multinational investment bank and financial services company, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, with global operations across over 35 countries. It offers a comprehensive suite of services including commercial banking, wealth management, investment banking, and consumer banking products like credit cards and loans. Serving individuals, small businesses, large corporations, institutional clients, and governments, Bank of America is the second-largest banking institution in the United States. Its business focus centres on responsible growth, client-centricity, and digital innovation, earning accolades such as "World’s Best Bank for Markets" and "World’s Best Bank for Trade Finance".

Customers queue at a discount ticket shop at Akihabara Electric Town in Tokyo on March 24. The weak yen is fuelling inflation by increasing the cost of imported goods, sapping consumers’ purchasing power and making it harder to tackle Japan’s cost-of-living crisis. Photo: EPA

Japan

Macroscope | Why fixing Japan’s monetary policy isn’t getting any easier

The wrong kind of inflation and the effects of the war in Iran complicate the outlook for Japanese interest rates.

23 Apr 2026 - 5:20PMvideocam

France

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

2 Apr 2026 - 12:12AM

Crime

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

31 Mar 2026 - 12:47AM

France

French prosecutors open terror probe after Bank of America attack attempt

Paris police and French intelligence agents are investigating after the suspect said he was contacted via Snapchat and paid 600 euros to carry out the bombing.

29 Mar 2026 - 7:45PM

A police van outside the building housing Bank of America’s Paris offices, after French anti-terrorism prosecutors opened an investigation into a suspected attack on the premises, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

France

French police foil Paris bomb attack outside US bank

A suspect was detained and another escaped.

28 Mar 2026 - 11:50PM

United States

Bank of America to pay US$72.5 million to settle Epstein victim lawsuit

The suit claims the bank’s executives ‘ignored red flags’ about Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture to provide him with financial services.

28 Mar 2026 - 11:33AM

Hong Kong stock market

Markets brace for rate hikes as prolonged Iran war stokes tightening fears

The European Central Bank has become more hawkish, reverting to wording that analysts say often precedes interest-rate increases.

23 Mar 2026 - 9:46PM

A currency dealer walks past a screen showing South Korea’s KOSPI and the Korean won/US dollar exchange rate in a foreign exchange dealing room in Seoul on Monday. Photo: AFP

Banking & finance

Iran conflict drives fund managers to slash risk and hoard cash: BofA survey

Fund managers pile into cash at fastest pace since Covid-19 as geopolitical tensions, inflation replace AI as top concerns, bank finds.

18 Mar 2026 - 4:40PM

United States

Macroscope | Normalisation of Trump’s chaos can only go so far

Markets assuming Trump will chicken out and downplaying risks contribute to the normalisation of the US president’s chaotic behaviour.

26 Feb 2026 - 7:45PMvideocam

Sam Altman

Geopolitics takes back seat to ‘No 1 investor risk’ for creditors: survey

The survey showed that only 10 per cent of credit investors consider AI-driven corporate obsolescence a big concern.

25 Feb 2026 - 4:49PM

A chart above the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange displays an intraday number for the S&P 500 on February 13, 2026. Photo: AP

Hong Kong property

Why global banks are betting on a double-digit surge in Hong Kong home prices

JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs join Morgan Stanley in lifting their market outlook to double digits, as price gains outpace previous expectations.

24 Feb 2026 - 9:44AM

Skyscrapers dot the landscape of Hong Kong’s Mid-Levels. The city’s housing rebound has been led in part by the luxury segment. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Banking & finance

Macroscope | US dollar weakness is no game changer for a globalised yuan

Beijing will seize on the crisis to promote the yuan, but without capital account liberalisation – essential for a truly global currency – its rise will remain limited.

19 Feb 2026 - 4:30PM

Hong Kong stock market

Syngenta targets US$10 billion listing in Hong Kong, biggest since Alibaba

Chinese-owned agritech group’s mooted float could rank among Hong Kong’s biggest listing in years.

6 Feb 2026 - 4:43PM

Trade

Macroscope | Trump weaponises trade as globalisation becomes more fractured

As recognised by Canada, the fracturing of the global economy is in full swing. Policymakers and businesses should expect it to continue.

29 Jan 2026 - 4:30PM

Shipping containers are stacked at a port in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on August 1, 2025. While the unravelling of globalisation has been a major theme for some time, the primacy of national security and geopolitics is a relatively new phenomenon that is reshaping the global economy and markets. Photo: AFP

Paris Fashion Week: Haute Couture

Meet the Hong Kong model nearing 60 who walked at Chanel’s haute couture show

The mum-of-7 – who just starred in Matthieu Blazy’s show – was born to Chiu Chow parents and got into modelling in her 50s.

29 Jan 2026 - 2:05PM

Model Christina Chung recently walked for Chanel at the house’s haute couture show in Paris. Photo: @christina__chung/Instagram

Semiconductors

ASML reports heated global demand in 2025, but cools China outlook

US limits on ASML’s China trade continue to define the company’s growth pattern, with overall sales up despite China revenues falling.

29 Jan 2026 - 3:50PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong homebuyers keep up demand as new launches draw brisk sales

Two-thirds of Park Seasons’ latest batch sold by midafternoon on Saturday, while Kabitat Tin Hau sold out a day earlier.

24 Jan 2026 - 5:20PM

Yuan

China lets yuan break through 7 per US dollar mark as dollar jitters grow

China’s central bank set the yuan fixing rate at under 7 per US dollar for the first time since mid-2023 as concerns over dollar assets mount.

23 Jan 2026 - 1:19PMvideocam

China’s yuan has broken through the psychologically important level of 7 per US dollar for the first time in years, as confidence in US dollar assets weakens. Photo: AFP

Semiconductors

Explainer | Will Trump’s new industrial policy make the global memory chip shortage worse?

The US government warns major memory chipmakers to either pay 100 per cent duties or build their products in America.

20 Jan 2026 - 3:47PM

China GDP

IMF raises China’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.5%, citing US ‘truce’ and stimulus

The fund predicts lower US tariffs and efforts to raise consumer spending may boost economy, though forecast short of last year’s growth.

19 Jan 2026 - 6:00PM

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s housing market gets a vote of confidence from major banks

Most financial institutions forecast price gains ranging from 5 to 10 per cent, supported by supply constraints and end-user demand.

12 Jan 2026 - 7:03PM

A night view of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon from The Peak. Property prices in the city are expected to trend upwards this year. Photo: Sam Tsang

China stock market

Macroscope | Chinese stocks could be biggest winner of Venezuela fallout

Amid rising fears over an AI bubble and geopolitical strife, China’s push for self-reliance has left it more insulated from global storms.

8 Jan 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

People walk below a large screen displaying the latest stock exchange and economic data in Shanghai on January 6. Photo: EPA

US-Venezuela conflict

Gold, oil jolted by US assault on Venezuela as investors recalibrate

Gold and oil move in opposite directions as attack underscores gold’s haven value, fails to alter oil market’s supply glut.

5 Jan 2026 - 5:30PM

Banking & finance

Macroscope | What to expect from Chinese stocks in 2026

While the underperformance of Chinese equities in the last financial quarter warrants scrutiny, overall gains are likely to continue in 2026.

1 Jan 2026 - 5:27PMvideocam

Hong Kong property

Exclusive | US anti-piracy firm Vobile buys top floor of Bank of America Tower at a discount

The Emmy-winning firm has bought the top floor of the US bank’s Admiralty office for US$25.4 million – more than 60 per cent below its peak.

31 Dec 2025 - 8:35AM

The Bank of America Tower is a 38-floor skyscraper located in the Admiralty area of Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock

Gold in Hong Kong

Golden era: prices surge as rally on track for US$5,000 in 2026, analysts say

Rate cuts, geopolitical tensions and central banks’ buying spree push gold prices up by 72 per cent in 2025 – the biggest annual jump ever.

25 Dec 2025 - 9:30AM

Gold prices break through the US$4,500-per-ounce mark for the first time. Photo: AFP

Artificial intelligence

Macroscope | Fears of an AI bubble in Asian stock markets are misplaced

The concentration risk so prevalent elsewhere is mitigated in Asia by a diverse equity landscape and the unique strengths in China.

18 Dec 2025 - 4:30PMvideocam

Yuan

China’s currency comeback: yuan seen breaking key dollar level in 2026

Analysts bet US Federal Reserve rate cuts and thawing trade tensions will drive China’s yuan past the 7.0 psychological barrier.

15 Dec 2025 - 6:18PM

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Bank of America

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Macroscope | Why fixing Japan’s monetary policy isn’t getting any easier

The wrong kind of inflation and the effects of the war in Iran complicate the outlook for Japanese interest rates.

France suspects link to pro-Iranian group HAYI in foiled Paris bomb plot

France studies possible Iran link after bomb attack foiled at Bank of America

French prosecutors open terror probe after Bank of America attack attempt

Paris police and French intelligence agents are investigating after the suspect said he was contacted via Snapchat and paid 600 euros to carry out the bombing.

French police foil Paris bomb attack outside US bank

A suspect was detained and another escaped.

Bank of America to pay US$72.5 million to settle Epstein victim lawsuit

The suit claims the bank’s executives ‘ignored red flags’ about Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture to provide him with financial services.

Markets brace for rate hikes as prolonged Iran war stokes tightening fears

The European Central Bank has become more hawkish, reverting to wording that analysts say often precedes interest-rate increases.

Iran conflict drives fund managers to slash risk and hoard cash: BofA survey

Fund managers pile into cash at fastest pace since Covid-19 as geopolitical tensions, inflation replace AI as top concerns, bank finds.

Macroscope | Normalisation of Trump’s chaos can only go so far

Markets assuming Trump will chicken out and downplaying risks contribute to the normalisation of the US president’s chaotic behaviour.

Geopolitics takes back seat to ‘No 1 investor risk’ for creditors: survey

The survey showed that only 10 per cent of credit investors consider AI-driven corporate obsolescence a big concern.

Why global banks are betting on a double-digit surge in Hong Kong home prices

JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs join Morgan Stanley in lifting their market outlook to double digits, as price gains outpace previous expectations.

Macroscope | US dollar weakness is no game changer for a globalised yuan

Beijing will seize on the crisis to promote the yuan, but without capital account liberalisation – essential for a truly global currency – its rise will remain limited.

Syngenta targets US$10 billion listing in Hong Kong, biggest since Alibaba

Chinese-owned agritech group’s mooted float could rank among Hong Kong’s biggest listing in years.

Macroscope | Trump weaponises trade as globalisation becomes more fractured

As recognised by Canada, the fracturing of the global economy is in full swing. Policymakers and businesses should expect it to continue.

Meet the Hong Kong model nearing 60 who walked at Chanel’s haute couture show

The mum-of-7 – who just starred in Matthieu Blazy’s show – was born to Chiu Chow parents and got into modelling in her 50s.

ASML reports heated global demand in 2025, but cools China outlook

US limits on ASML’s China trade continue to define the company’s growth pattern, with overall sales up despite China revenues falling.

Hong Kong homebuyers keep up demand as new launches draw brisk sales

Two-thirds of Park Seasons’ latest batch sold by midafternoon on Saturday, while Kabitat Tin Hau sold out a day earlier.

China lets yuan break through 7 per US dollar mark as dollar jitters grow

China’s central bank set the yuan fixing rate at under 7 per US dollar for the first time since mid-2023 as concerns over dollar assets mount.

.css-19im5qg{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Will Trump’s new industrial policy make the global memory chip shortage worse?

The US government warns major memory chipmakers to either pay 100 per cent duties or build their products in America.

IMF raises China’s 2026 growth forecast to 4.5%, citing US ‘truce’ and stimulus

The fund predicts lower US tariffs and efforts to raise consumer spending may boost economy, though forecast short of last year’s growth.

Hong Kong’s housing market gets a vote of confidence from major banks

Most financial institutions forecast price gains ranging from 5 to 10 per cent, supported by supply constraints and end-user demand.

Macroscope | Chinese stocks could be biggest winner of Venezuela fallout

Amid rising fears over an AI bubble and geopolitical strife, China’s push for self-reliance has left it more insulated from global storms.

Gold, oil jolted by US assault on Venezuela as investors recalibrate

Gold and oil move in opposite directions as attack underscores gold’s haven value, fails to alter oil market’s supply glut.

Macroscope | What to expect from Chinese stocks in 2026

While the underperformance of Chinese equities in the last financial quarter warrants scrutiny, overall gains are likely to continue in 2026.

Exclusive | US anti-piracy firm Vobile buys top floor of Bank of America Tower at a discount

The Emmy-winning firm has bought the top floor of the US bank’s Admiralty office for US$25.4 million – more than 60 per cent below its peak.

Golden era: prices surge as rally on track for US$5,000 in 2026, analysts say

Rate cuts, geopolitical tensions and central banks’ buying spree push gold prices up by 72 per cent in 2025 – the biggest annual jump ever.

Macroscope | Fears of an AI bubble in Asian stock markets are misplaced

The concentration risk so prevalent elsewhere is mitigated in Asia by a diverse equity landscape and the unique strengths in China.

China’s currency comeback: yuan seen breaking key dollar level in 2026

Analysts bet US Federal Reserve rate cuts and thawing trade tensions will drive China’s yuan past the 7.0 psychological barrier.

Macroscope | Why fixing Japan’s monetary policy isn’t getting any easier

Explainer | Will Trump’s new industrial policy make the global memory chip shortage worse?