Z/Yen Community Newsletter February 2025
Monday, 03 February 2025By Sasha Davis
This February welcomes in the Lunar New Year, which for 2025 is the Year of the Snake. The last Year of the Wood Snake was in 1965, completing a 60-year zodiac cycle. At the FS Club this month, we will be hosting a webinar focusing on Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday 6 February, where we’ll explore its development as a financial centre. We’re also proud to share that our chairman, Professor Michael Mainelli, has been appointed as the new President of the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Thank you for your continued support and participation—it’s what drives us to deliver engaging content, thought-provoking events, and meaningful discussions. Let’s make February a month of insights and shared successes!
Wishing you all a happy and successful start to the year.
Sasha Davis (Manager, FS Club) & The Team at Z/Yen
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Events & Webinars
- Webinars
Financial Centres Of The World 2025: Focus On Ho Chi Minh City Thursday, 06 February 2025
Fighting To Win: Industrial Strategy For Aggressive Growth In The UK Thursday, 06 March 2025
- Past Events & Webinars
The Psychology Of Worry: How To Stop Worrying & Love The FutureTuesday, 21 January 2025
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
Busan Finance Center: Busan Designated as a Special Opportunity Development Zone for the Second Time: On December 27, 2024, Busan became the first metropolitan city in South Korea to be designated as an "Opportunity Development Zone" for the second time. Following its initial financial-focused designation in June 2024, the newly designated zone covers 57.5 million square meters and targets advanced industries such as power semiconductors, rechargeable batteries/secondary cells, and auto parts. More than 40 companies have already plan to invest approximately USD 4.79 billion in this zone. The "Opportunity Development Zones" provide substantial tax incentives, cash subsidies, and regulatory exemptions to attract investment. With two such zones in place, Busan is positioned as a prime destination for competitive businesses, expected to create new jobs and improve the local living conditions. The synergy between high-tech industries and the financial sector is expected to strengthen Busan’s standing as a global financial hub, driving economic growth and enhancing its competitiveness on the global market.
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.
Financial Services Commission Mauritius: Management Companies in Mauritius: A Gateway to Global Business. Management Companies (MCs) in Mauritius serve as strategic partners for global investors, offering seamless access to the country’s dynamic financial ecosystem. They provide a comprehensive suite of specialised services, facilitating the setup and administration of Global Business Companies, including company incorporation/structuring, tax structuring, fund administration, compliance management, and corporate secretarial support. Leveraging Mauritius' extensive network of double taxation avoidance agreements, political stability, and business-friendly regulatory environment, MCs facilitate cross-border investments while ensuring compliance with international standards. Their expertise allows investors to efficiently navigate complex markets, optimise operations, and unlock diverse opportunities in Africa and beyond, positioning Mauritius as a premier investment destination.
Northeastern University London: Northeastern University London is the European hub of Northeastern’s global experiential research university network. Our portfolio is expanding across 2025, supported by an award from the Office for Students, including the launch of an Accounting Finance Manager degree apprenticeship in April. The apprenticeship is accredited by the Institute of Financial Accountants (IFA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). This BSc (Hons) Applied Accounting and Finance incorporates critical knowledge and skills on sustainability, AI and ethics. During National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (10th February - 16th February) we will be celebrating the achievements of apprentices around the country, and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses and the wider economy. NU London will be holding an event on our state-of-the-art campus, consisting of panel discussions exploring topics around AI and digital innovation, presentations from apprentices and the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals. Register your attendance to find out more on how NU London’s apprenticeships are helping to bridge technological skills gaps within organisations. "Innovation through experience: How apprentices are driving digital transformation registration", Wednesday 12th February: 2:30pm – 5:00pm - Register here.
GFT Financial Ltd: Insurance Innovation – new thought leadership from GFT: The insurance industry, like other financial services sectors, is undergoing a significant transformation driven by changing customer expectations, rapid technological advancements and an ever-changing regulatory landscape. Discover the 'future of insurance' by reading the results of our survey in partnership with FStech on 'Insurance Innovation’. Download here. GFT and Genesis Global present: Accelerating settlement: Navigating the Move to T+1 Join GFT and Genesis Global on 25 February in London for an informative event exploring the required transition to T+1 settlement, a major shift in global securities markets. In the context of the UK's commitment to move to T+1 settlement by the end of 2027, this event brings together industry leaders to discuss the learnings from the US, challenges, opportunities, and the technological solutions needed to navigate this accelerated environment successfully. Discover more and register here. From AI technology to business innovation – watch highlights of our GFT and Google Cloud event: GFT and Google Cloud hosted an exciting event to cover the latest trends and adoption of AI and how it can achieve business innovation. At the event, industry experts from GFT and Google, plus other partners, came together to discuss how AI technology can generate business innovation. Watch our highlights on our GFT YouTube channel here. Our latest blogs: How IT resilient are banks? by Richard Kalas - LINK.
Bridgeworks: Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Sales May Rise, But So Will Cybercrime: The 7 days after Black Friday 2023 saw online retail sales decline by 1.9%. For the IMRG, the UK eCommerce Association wasn’t far off, predicting a fall of 2% that year. Despite this, it reports that Cyber Monday was the strongest trading day, with a 5.6% year-on-year increase in e-commerce sales – “followed by Tuesday, which also showed positive growth.” IMRG says the challenges that the Black Friday and Cyber Monday period faced included the fact that not everyone would have had their monthly pay cheque. There is also the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which has impact both e-commerce and in-store retail sales. Yet, there is hope for the 2024 season. Firstly, most people will have been paid by 29th November 2024, which IRMG believes could boost online trading activity, and they predict that Cyber Monday will remain stable. It recommends that retailers use FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) messaging to stimulate sales [...] Read the full article here.
Astana International Financial Centre: Kazakhstan’s securities market has grown significantly over the last years, with several major IPOs taking place in the country. Retail investors are becoming increasingly engaged with Kazakhstan's securities market due to the need to diversify their investments, improved access, and growing financial literacy. The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) has had an important role in the development of investment funds in Kazakhstan. In addition to contributing to the growth of assets under management and the number of funds in the country, the AIFC jurisdiction offers new authorised firms an opportunity to enter the market. More information on special report on «Fund Management in Kazakhstan» presented by the AIFC.
C2Zero: Looking for a unique gift? With Carbon Cancellation Certificates from C2Zero, you can give the gift of preventing carbon (CO2e) emissions—for yourself, your loved ones, and the planet. It’s simple: visit carbon.uk.c2zero.net. Starting at under £18 (including VAT) for 200kg of carbon, this gift makes a real difference! Learn more at www.c2zero.net/campaign/c4s-by-c2zero.
The Z/Yen App is now available on iOS and AndroidOur new Z/Yen App is the place for FS Club Members to stay informed and engaged with the latest insights from the world of finance, technology, and beyond. With our intuitive app, you can register for upcoming events, dive into our reports, watch recordings of past sessions, and even listen to podcasts on the go. The app is free for Sponsors and Paid Members of the FS Club - $60 per year. If you have any questions please contact Sasha Davis. Join a community of forward-thinking professionals who are shaping the future of finance and technology. Stay informed, stay connected, and stay inspired with Z/Yen.Scan the code below with your smartphone to download the app:
Z/Yen Launches Ethical AI Course with CISI Register Here
The Chartered Institute For Securities & Investment, in collaboration with Z/Yen Group and Professor Michael Mainelli, have launched a Certificate in Ethical Artificial Intelligence. The short online course deals with the core definitions and global developments in the field of AI, associated ethical dilemmas, and the implications for financial services. Find Out More
The Chartered Institute For ITBCS Foundation Certificate in the Ethical Build of AI This course introduces the key issues in ethical AI and equips you to design and build AI ethically, navigating risks from security to human rights.
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