The FS Club Podcast

Launch Of Smart Centres Index 13

In this webinar, we launch the thirteenth edition of the Smart Centres Index (SCI 13). The SCI is designed to track the development of technology and financial centres across the world in their support for and readiness for new technology applications.Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, media, academics, governments, and regulators can attune their cities to attract innovation and growth in Science, Technology, Energy Systems, Machine Learning, Distributed Ledgers, or Fintech. Tuning a city for innovation is complex. Z/Yen began studying successful and unsuccessful business innovation clustering some 15 years ago, and published in 2018 the Smart Jurisdictions Index [https://www.zyen.com/publications/public-reports/smart-jurisdictions-index/]. Building on the results of that research we have created a novel factor assessment index based on three dimensions - innovation support, creative intensity, and delivery capability.The SCI is designed to track the readiness of business centres across the world to support new technology businesses. The SCI uses assessments from private and public sector individuals, along with over 120 instrumental factors, to rate the centres. This important project that will grow substantially as more people pay attention to the ways centres can help globally innovative businesses thrive in rapidly changing times.

Powering The Transition: Taiwan’s Sustainable Finance Strategies & Market Outlook

As the global transition toward Net Zero continues to accelerate, sustainable finance is steadily emerging as a key driver influencing capital allocation, investment decisions, and market development. It is also playing an increasingly important role in supporting economic transformation and strengthening financial resilience. As an important financial hub in Asia, Taiwan has been steadily advancing its sustainable finance agenda in recent years. Notable progress has been made in the development of Taiwan’s ESG bond market, which is commonly referred to as the sustainable bond market, as well as in the strengthening of regulatory frameworks, and closer alignment with international standards. These efforts have helped attract growing interest from global investors and have contributed to the gradual deepening and maturation of Taiwan’s ESG ecosystem. Co-hosted by the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance (TABF) and the UK-based think tank Z/Yen (FS Club), this webinar brings together the Taipei Exchange (TPEx), global asset management institutions, and leading experts from academia and industry to exchange views on Taiwan’s sustainable finance policy development and market practice, providing a platform for international dialogue. The discussion will cover the evolution of Taiwan’s sustainable finance policies and market landscape, the development of ESG evaluation frameworks, the outlook for sustainable bond market, and international investor perspectives on Taiwan’s capital market potential, with particular attention to transition finance opportunities arising from industrial decarbonization. We warmly invite you to join this dialogue, engage with international professionals, and explore Taiwan’s evolving role and future opportunities within the global sustainable finance transition.

The Future Of Finance, The Impact Of Current Tech & Regulatory Developments

The financial sector stands at a pivotal juncture, with rapid advancements in AI, digital infrastructure, tokenisation, and other technologies intersecting with evolving regulatory priorities to redefine competitiveness, innovation, and risk management. Bob Wigley, Chairman of UK Finance, will deliver a forward-looking perspective on these transformative forces. Drawing from his leadership in shaping financial policy and his involvement in cutting-edge areas, including AI-driven solutions, sustainable finance, and emerging tech ecosystems, he will examine how current developments are influencing financial services, from regulatory adaptations to opportunities for growth and resilience. This session will explore strategies for navigating tech-driven change, addressing regulatory challenges, and positioning the UK and global finance for the decade ahead, with ample time for audience Q&A.

Seoul’s Roadmap To Becoming A Global Financial Hub: The Role Of Invest Seoul

Invest Seoul is an agency established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to position Seoul as the top choice for global companies and investors, and to serve as a trusted “business partner city” worldwide. Established in October 2025, Invest Seoul focuses on attracting high‑quality global companies and foreign direct investment. Our core objective is to support overseas investors’ success. By leveraging Seoul’s advanced technology, innovative business ecosystem, and world‑class talent, we assist global companies entering the Seoul market and help promising Seoul‑based businesses expand internationally. For this webinar, we plan to focus on the following three areas: 1. Introduction to Invest Seoul 2. Invest Seoul’s Roadmap and Key Initiatives 3. Financial Sector Support and Strategic Roles

Launch Of China Construction Bank Global Green Finance Index 17

The seventeenth edition of the China Construction Bank Global Green Finance Index provides the world’s most authoritative measure of the performance of financial centres in delivering green finance services. The report, assembled by combining the views of financial professionals from around the world, with quantitative data commissioned and curated from over 130 sources, uses advanced statistical techniques to map the global spread of green finance.