With one month remaining of meteorological summer in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re hoping that there will be some fresher days coming soon. As the City slows down in August, so too does our calendar of events, in preparation for the busy Autumn period. Still, there’s plenty to look forward to on the horizon.

Looking ahead in September, do save the date for the 2026 Taiwan Financial Briefing Forum — London Edition, sponsored by TABF and TWSE, taking place on Wednesday, 09 September 2026. It promises a rich afternoon for anyone with an interest in cutting-edge technology, emerging markets, and the shifting shape of global finance.

And if you are after something for the commute, the beach, or the inevitable delay at the airport, the full first season of our AI Standards Stack Podcast is now available, Professor Michael Mainelli and Adam Leon Smith in conversation with the people writing the rules for artificial intelligence. Ideal summer listening, and rather more substantial than the average holiday paperback. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our events soon.

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

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Events & Webinars

• Featured Past Webinars

Hee June Chong, & Sun Young Jin:
Shaping The Future Of Finance In Seoul

Chris Tarry:
Flying Into Uncertainty: The Future Of Airlines

• Forthcoming Webinars

An Update On EU AML, DORA And Strategic Autonomy In Financial Services Regulation Thursday, 10 September 2026

• Event

2026 Taiwan Financial Briefing Forum - London Edition Wednesday, 09 September 2026

FS Club News

Istanbul Financial Center: Timeless Meeting Point for Tomorrow: As global financial institutions continue to seek stability, connectivity, and long term growth, Istanbul Financial Center (IFC) offers a strategic platform where these priorities converge. Developed under the strategic leadership and coordination of the Türkiye Wealth Fund, IFC is designed to strengthen Türkiye's role in the global financial system by providing an integrated ecosystem for international finance. Built on a dedicated legal framework, an integrated institutional ecosystem, and world-class infrastructure, IFC enables institutions to operate efficiently while expanding their regional and global reach. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, Istanbul offers direct access to markets representing nearly 40% of global trade and more than 1.5 billion people within a few hours' flight. This unique location allows businesses to engage with multiple regions from a single strategic base. Read more here.

Invest Seoul: Invest Seoul is an investment promotion agency established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to make Seoul a top destination for global companies and foreign investment. Utilizing Seoul's advanced technology, innovative business environment, and world-class talent, Invest Seoul supports international companies expanding into the city and helps local businesses grow globally. Follow Invest Seoul on LinkedIn for the latest market insights and investment updates.‎

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Astana International Financial Centre: The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) will host the 9th Astana Finance Days (AFD) on 9–10 September 2026 in Astana under the theme Delivering Impact: Capital in Action. As the flagship financial forum of the AIFC, AFD has become one of the leading platforms in Eurasia for capital markets, investment dialogue and cross-border cooperation, bringing together investors, policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, technology companies and business leaders from around the world. Building on the success of the 2025 edition, which welcomed more than 5,500 participants from 82 countries, including asset managers overseeing USD 1.5 trillion in combined assets, AFD 2026 will focus on practical outcomes, investment opportunities and regional financial integration. Read more here.

Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation: TWSE spearheads dual-axis transformation! Upgraded ESG digital platform leverages AI to empower listed companies in enhancing sustainability disclosures: TWSE continues to advance dual digital and sustainable transformation. Read more here.TWSE partners with S&P Global to host sustainable decision-making seminar with a global perspective: TWSE and S&P Global jointly hosted the Global Sustainability Decision-Making Seminar on June 11, 2026, bringing together corporate leaders and sustainability decision-makers to discuss global sustainability trends, ESG assessment perspectives, climate risk management, and supply chain resilience. Read more here.TWSE Enhances ETF Primary Market Infrastructure Through Platform Upgrades: TWSE continues to enhance ETF market infrastructure through upgrades to the ETF Creation and Redemption Platform. . Read more here.The news from the TWSE: https://twmonthly.twse.com.tw/ Follow TWSE on LinkedIn to stay informed.

Busan Finance Center: Busan’s Financial Roadmap 2030: Driving Digital Finance and Regulatory Innovation:Amid a rapidly shifting global financial landscape, the Busan Finance Center (BFC), in close alignment with the city government, is systematically advancing core initiatives to establish the city as a leading maritime and financial capital. To strengthen market competitiveness, the center is actively researching ways to attract international capital and deliver a sophisticated regulatory framework.To drive these mid to long-term initiatives, the BFC is developing the 2030 Master Plan for the Busan Financial Hub. In coordination with the city government, the center is scoping research across four key pillars: maritime, derivatives, digital, and industrial finance. Concurrently, the BFC is exploring infrastructure enhancements and strategic incentives linked to the Opportunity Development Zone (ODZ) program. Read the full publication here.

Dubai International Financial Centre: Titled The Changing Face of Banking: Building Resilience Through Change, the report highlights the structural pressures facing global banking, with profit pools at risk of declining by US$170 billion by 2030 without decisive transformation. It examines how digital‑native challenger banks and new operating models are redefining competitiveness, marking the most significant structural shift since the 2008 global financial crisis. AI is emerging as core infrastructure, reshaping productivity and value creation across the sector. Set against rising demand from emerging markets and new client groups, the report underscores how early movers can strengthen resilience and capture future growth opportunities. Read the report here.

Financial Services Development Council Hong Kong: As the global economy evolves and capital seeks stability and opportunity, Hong Kong stands out as the leading international financial centre. With an open economy, deep and liquid capital markets, a trusted legal framework, and seamless connectivity to global institutions, Hong Kong offers the ideal ecosystem for capital facilitation, preservation, and growth. These strengths are further complemented by resilient infrastructure and a vibrant lifestyle that attracts top global talent.The Financial Services Development Council has launched a global campaign personifying “Money” as “Capital” — a dynamic protagonist in pursuit of growth. It demonstrates how Hong Kong fulfills the core needs of capital: growth, security, efficiency, and opportunity, empowering it to thrive even amid global challenges.Discover how Hong Kong empowers capital to thrive. Watch the campaign: Click Here.

Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance: Taiwan's Asian Asset Management Center Reaches New Milestone: Taiwan's Asian Asset Management Center (AAMC) marked the first anniversary of its Kaohsiung Asset Management Zone, highlighting significant progress in the country's ambition to become a leading regional wealth management hub. Over the past year, 58 financial institutions have established operations in the Zone, while banks now serve more than 6,200 high-net-worth clients with assets under management (AUM) exceeding NT$728 billion. Building on the success of the pilot programme, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) announced the next phase of the initiative, including the expansion of selected pilot measures beyond the Kaohsiung Zone, enhanced cross-border financial services, and continued development of dedicated legislation to strengthen Taiwan's asset management ecosystem and international competitiveness. Follow TABF for insights into Taiwan’s financial market on LinkedIn.

Northeastern University London: AI Leadership for Financial Services: Boards and senior leaders across financial services are under growing pressure to demonstrate they can govern AI, not just adopt it. Northeastern University London's new Level 5 AI Leadership apprenticeship gives leaders exactly that: the confidence to direct, oversee and challenge AI initiatives - without needing to become technologists themselves. Delivered online in just 1 day a week for 5 weeks, Unit 1 (AI Strategy & Opportunity) is fully funded via the Growth and Skills Levy, or 100% government-funded for SMEs. The first cohort starts 7 September 2026, with places limited. Express interest by 17 August to secure your spot - book a consultation call here.

Bridgeworks: Global Cybercrime to cost more than $12 Trillion: Global cybercrime damage is project to cost more than $12 USD trillion annually by 2031, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. In the face of such of threat, how do organisations evolve at the highest levels to become capable of understanding content, detecting intent and predicting threats? And who within those organisations should be driving the changes needed to get there – and how is that to be achieved to the best effect? In response, Peter Smails, SVP, general manager, cloud native, SUSE, says organisations can’t afford incremental improvements; they need a fundamental shift in how they secure cloud environments. “Modern infrastructure is dynamic, distributed and API driven. Identities outnumber humans and attackers increasingly exploit misconfigurations, over permission roles and exposed control planes, rather than traditional network perimeters.” 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
Professor Michael Mainelli

In Space, No One Can Hear Your Pension Scream: The Silent Rise Of SpaceX In Passive Portfolios

Of Great Interest

Bob McDowall

The Erosion Of Commercial Confidentiality By AI: How Can It Be Combatted?

Best Of The Finanser

Stirred My Thoughts:

• How Cryptocurrency Is Developing Into Trust Infrastructure

Grabbed My Attention:

• Living In The Age Of Networked Dishonesty

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