The Z/Yen team and FS Club wish you a very Happy New Year filled with prosperity and success. Looking ahead to our first events of the year, on Tuesday 13 January, join us for An Update On EU Financial Services Regulatory Agenda with renowned EU Regulatory Expert and regular FS Club speaker, Dr David Doyle. David will cover key developments including EU de-regulation and simplification measures, the new AML Authority, and emerging regulatory challenges for private credit and non-bank financial institutions. We are also proud to congratulate him on recently receiving a Certificate of Honour from the European Parliament's MEP-led Kangaroo Group in recognition of his outstanding contributions to debates on the EU financial services regulatory agenda. If you are looking to discover the secrets of the City of London, join our popular walking tour with host Sam Jacobs, Secret Alleys & Taverns Of The East Side Of The City Of London on Wednesday, 28 January. Attendance at this event is complimentary for sponsors of the FS Club. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our events soon.

Sasha Davis (Manager, FS Club) & The Team at Z/Yen

Join Our FS Club Webinar Series

Elevate your reach and connect with a global audience through the FS Club's renowned webinar series. Partner with us to present on topics that matter, gaining visibility among professionals worldwide. With a personalised event page, post-event analytics, and exclusive access to the recording, you’ll have the tools to make a lasting impact. Browse our different Sponsorship options here.

Discover how the FS Club webinars can amplify your voice—your platform, your audience, your moment.

Find our entire library of lectures and webinars on YouTube

Events & Webinars

• Featured Past Webinars

Debate Mate:
Debate: Will AI Enhance Or Replace Human Skills In The Future Workforce?

Mike Wardle & Professor Michael Mainelli:
Launch Of Smart Centres Index 12

• Forthcoming Webinars

An Update On EU Financial Services Regulatory Agenda Tuesday, 13 January 2026

Why MAST Matters Thursday, 19 February 2026

• Events

Secret Alleys & Taverns Of The East Side Of The City Of London Wednesday, 28 January 2026

The Esop Centre’s newspad, is a monthly publication providing in-depth coverage of the main international news in the field of employee share ownership. Read this month’s newspad in full.

FS Club News

Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation: TWSE Advances Cross-Border ETF Collaboration to Strengthen Taiwan as Asian Asset Management Center: The Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) is proactively driving product internationalization to support Taiwan’s goal of becoming the Asian Asset Management Center. Chairman Sherman Lin led six Taiwanese asset managers to Japan to engage with the Tokyo Stock Exchange and local institutions, fostering deeper cross-border collaboration.

The Taiwan Stock Exchange “Power Up Program” Gains Traction: Strong Uptake Signals Enhanced Governance and Long-Term Value Focus: The Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) Power Up Program continues to gain momentum, demonstrating broad market engagement and a clear commitment to long-term value creation. As of November 30, 2025, 311 listed companies—approximately 29% of the total market—have participated in the program and publicly disclosed related initiatives.

The Taiwan Stock Exchange outlines six key strategies to advance ESG and build a Win-Win future for finance and society: The TWSE continues to advance its sustainability efforts under two core pillars—“Building a Sustainable Market” and “Practicing Sustainable Responsibility.” These pillars are supported by six strategic themes.

The news from the TWSE: https://twmonthly.twse.com.tw/
Follow TWSE on LinkedIn to stay informed.

Financial Services Commission Mauritius: Your Ideal Hub for Fund Management and Administration: Mauritius has built a strong reputation as a trusted jurisdiction for fund management, supported by a robust and internationally recognised regulatory framework aligned with the principles and standards of the International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). Funds domiciled in Mauritius benefit from a business-friendly environment, ideal time zone, cost competitiveness, experienced corporate service providers, and an extensive network of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements and Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements. As an innovative International Financial Centre, Mauritius offers a wide range of sophisticated fund structuring products, including Variable Capital Companies, which provides greater flexibility, operational efficiency and cost effectiveness, making the jurisdiction attractive to both traditional and alternative fund managers.

Busan Finance Center: Title Two Korean Bulk Carriers Relocate HQs to Busan’s Maritime Capital:

The Korean government has designated the development of a “Maritime Capital” in the south-eastern region as a national policy priority. The aim is to build a new growth engine by concentrating maritime-related administrative and financial functions, as well as the wider maritime industry around Busan, home to the world’s second-largest transhipment port. As part of this, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) is relocating its headquarters to Busan.

Against this backdrop, two major Korean bulk carriers ― H-Line Shipping and SK Shipping ― have now announced that they will move their corporate headquarters to Busan. The two companies have confirmed plans to amend their articles of association and complete the legal registration of their new head offices in January. The decision by the two companies to relocate their headquarters to Busan is expected to take Korea’s “Maritime Capital” initiative one step further, by creating additional opportunities for operational and regional synergies in Busan. Read the full publication here.

Seoul Fintech Lab: Seoul Financial Hub, managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is currently inviting esteemed overseas financial institutions to join our global financial epicenter in Yeouido, Seoul. Benefit from exclusive office space, expert consultation on market entry, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Stay ahead with insights into the Korean Financial market. For further details about Seoul Financial Hub, click here.

ㅤ

Kigali International Financial Centre: The Kigali International Financial Centre, in collaboration with partners, are organising the third edition of the Inclusive FinTech Forum (IFF), to be hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, on 10–12 March 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre. Following the successful second edition of the Forum held in Kigali in 2025, IFF 2026 anticipates hosting 3,000 delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond, featuring world-class speakers, engaging discussions, and a high-level opening ceremony. Learn more.

Scottish Financial Enterprise: Scottish Financial Enterprise has launched an update to its skills action plan to help prepare the industry for its future skills requirements. The update comes as rapid advances in emerging technologies and a competitive hiring landscape are reshaping the industry and seeks to highlight how best to prepare the workforce for an AI and data led world. Click here for more information.

ㅤ

Astana International Financial Centre: Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) presented the analytical report on the development of the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) and the prospects for its development in Kazakhstan. Report covers the practical steps for launching projects in Kazakhstan, from concept development to trading on the new AIFC Carbon Platform. Kazakhstan has all the opportunities to become a new hub for climate projects: vast natural territories and the capacity to implement both nature-based and technology-based projects. As the data on registered projects shows, international players are already expressing interest in developing carbon projects in Kazakhstan, and the market is ready for rapid growth and investment inflow. For more details please see the report.

Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance: TABF Supports International Program on Conglomerate Supervision and SupTech:

We were pleased to support the “Conglomerate Supervision and SupTech Support” program, which was organized by the Toronto Centre and the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), Taiwan.

Over the course of the program, 32 participants from 13 jurisdictions explored key themes in conglomerate supervision through case studies, interactive discussions, and collaborative exercises. Topics included regulatory coordination, SupTech applications in supervision, and crisis preparedness, culminating in real-world case analysis and action planning.

We extend our thanks to the FSC and Toronto Centre for leading this important initiative, and to all the speakers and participants who made the program a success. TABF is proud to contribute to these capacity-building efforts in order to strengthen cross-border financial resilience. Read more via TABF's LinkedIn.

Northeastern University London: Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week with Northeastern University London: Wednesday 11th February 2026:

For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Northeastern University London is bringing together forward-thinking employers who are adapting their talent strategies to align with the new apprenticeship funding landscape. This exclusive employer event will explore strategies for building stronger teams while navigating tighter budgets.

What can you expect?

• → Expert insights on maximising apprenticeship funding to achieve more for less
• → Practical approaches to embedding apprenticeships within your ESG and social value strategy
• → Interactive session with our apprentices sharing real experiences and insights

Click here to find out more details and secure your spot

Bridgeworks: Happy New WAN: Protecting Data Into 2026:

Only a few days away now from New Year’s Day again, fireworks and all. Hopefully, it’ll be a happy and prosperous one for everyone. Unfortunately, cyber-attacks aren’t about fun, prosperity and good will. Of course cyber-criminals might celebrate the new year if their scams and attacks bear them financial rewards, then they really would have something to celebrate. However, most of us don’t wish them such luck; we need to ensure that our data and finances are secured.

Amongst the many cyber-attacks that have occurred in 2025, one that stands out was cyber-attack on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster City Council and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. These London boroughs in England enacted emergency plans after they were hit by a cyber-attack on 26th November 2025. Read the full publication here.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We currently have opportunities available to partner with Z/Yen as a sponsor for our ongoing research into the development of financial centres. If you may be interested in sponsorship of the Global Green Finance Index or Smart Centres Index, please get in touch with Mike Wardle.

Pamphleteers Blog

The Pamphleteers Blog features considered thoughts – somewhere between a knee-jerk editorial and a full-blown piece of research.

"Write for today and not for tomorrow."

Made Me Think
Bob McDowall:

Will Macro Financial And Economic Issues Impact AI Development In 2026?

Of Great Interest
Professor Michael Mainelli:

Add Some Sparkle To AI - Levelling Up Intelligence

FS Club Bulletins - Keep Track Of Your Commercial Interests

FS Club provides up to 1,000 weekly bulletins on a variety of topics from Inflation, to Inter-Bank Lending, to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Register here.

• Inflation
• Education

Best Of The Finanser

Stirred My Thoughts:

• What Will Happen In 2026?

Grabbed My Attention:

• The Top 10 Blogs Of 2025

Membership & Sponsorship FS Club is the premier global executive knowledge network for technology and finance professionals. Great events, research, and social functions build a buzz for Members and a valuable partnership for Sponsors. Membership of the FS Club is a great way to enhance your professional development, grow your network and profile, and get backing for your ideas, contact: sasha_davis@zyen.com