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Financial Services Review: Specials Magazine
AIMS, a financial broker known for its proficiency in delivering excellent fund security and an easy-to-use portal, has over 88,000 users globally. Initially a straight-through processing (STP) broker, its expansion into new markets is powered by a solid commitment to providing seamless trading experiences and customizable solutions. What Attracts Clients to AIMS? AIMS recognizes the importance of adaptability in a fast-evolving financial landscape. It understands that clients are looking for more than just a broker; they need a trustworthy partner to safeguard their investments. This mindset drives it to adopt a multifaceted approach that combines regulatory compliance, technological innovation, strategic partnerships and a clientcentric philosophy. It tackles market issues like hidden fees, poor customer service, irregular spreads, slippage and misleading promises head-on with transparency and competitive spreads. AIMS' secure trading environment is fortified by an insurance platform that protects up to two million USD per account. This additional layer of protection gives clients confidence that their investments are safe from unforeseen issues. Backing these competencies is a customizable backend portal for administration and 18/7 customer support, ensuring clients can access assistance whenever needed. This client-first approach is the driving force behind AIMS’ proficiency in addressing many common issues traders face in the modern financial brokerage sector.
Community Banks and Credit Unions Solutions
Midwestern Securities is an introducing broker/ dealer and SEC-registered investment advisor that provides premium services to forward-thinking, community-minded banks and credit unions, enabling them to grow their non-interest income. Owned and operated by community bankers and financial professionals, Midwestern Securities has developed turnkey solutions to help clients increase their enterprise value. Midwestern Securities adopts a hands-on approach to working with smaller financial institutions with billion dollars or less in deposits, building and managing successful, profitable, and compliant investment divisions within these institutions. It provides clients with executive leadership and superior sales coaching for their financial advisors. “In the broker-dealer market, it is often a David versus Goliath situation with smaller firms competing with the publicly-traded larger players. Midwestern Securities turns this situation around by providing additional recruiting and training support, office backup, and building enduring client relationships,” says Michael Graham, president of Midwestern Securities. Midwestern Securities is conversant with the evolving banking landscape and understands what financial institutions need to thrive. Working as a trusted advisor and consultant, it helps clients provide an exceptional investment experience in their communities. It builds and manages profitable and compliant programs that fulfill the needs of its clients’ customers. In most cases, smaller financial institutions lack the resources or expertise to run their broker/dealer operations. Midwestern Securities comes to their assistance by offering significant intellectual capital and sales and marketing support. It implements a sales culture focused on providing advice and improving the client’s financial position.
CXO INSIGHTS
Strategic Planning: What Is The Shelf Life Of A New Strategic Plan?
Paul Young, Chief Financial Officer, Liberty Bank - CT
Financial Freedom - The New Definition of Wealth
Dina Kotsopoulos, Head of Wealth at ING Australia
The asset management industry in Asia: What could the future hold?
Rossen Djounov, Managing Director - Head of Asia at GAM Investments
Helping Provide Financial Security through a People-focused Approach to Portfolio Management
Yesim Tokat-Acikel, Managing Director, Portfolio Management, Principal Asset Management
Decoding Strategies for Competitive Edge in FinTech Industry
WaiKo-chi, Chief Technology Officer at CGC Malaysia
Learning from the Food Industry to Progress Sustainable Investing
Eugenia Koh, Global Head, Sustainable Finance, CPBB at Standard Chartered Bank
Navigating the Complexities of Commercial Finance
Tom Wallace, Director of Risk & Project Management at Volvo Financial Services
IN FOCUS
"Navigating Market Volatility: How Brokerage Firms Are Adapting
The Asia-Pacific market is experiencing volatility driven by geopolitical tensions, rising interest rates, and economic uncertainties
The Pillars Shaping asia-Pacifics Financial Brokerage Evolution
Over the past decade, the financial brokerage market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has undergone a profound transformation driven
EDITORIAL
Transforming the APAC Financial Brokerage Market with Technology
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region’s financial brokerage sector is pivoting into the future, with the region redefining agility, efficiency, and accessibility in financial markets. At the crossroads of technology and regulation, APAC brokers are capitalizing on the opportunity to reinvent themselves, leveraging the ongoing wave of digital transformation and the democratization of investment opportunities. The region is steadily aligning with global trends, notably the shift towards shorter settlement cycles. While North America’s transition to T+1 has placed operational pressure on APAC firms involved in cross-border trades, markets in the region are pushing boundaries with a phased rollout of T+0 and eventual instant settlements. Digital assets are also gaining mainstream traction, with many APAC markets leading the way in pioneering tokenization experiments for fund management and multi-currency settlements. By enabling fractional investments, tokenization has opened new doors for retail investors and younger demographics, further accelerating the region’s financial innovation. The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot be understated, either. AI is transforming brokerage operations by automating manual tasks, enhancing risk management, and providing actionable insights. Generative AI tools, in particular, are helping firms streamline compliance, fraud detection, and customer service, enabling a shift toward real-time decision-making and operational agility. Likewise, Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) remain a strong growth area, driven by retail demand for cost-effective and innovative financial products. Several countries are witnessing exponential growth in ETFs, supported by regulatory changes and increasing access to technologyfocused and thematic investment options. As the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region continues to evolve its regulatory frameworks and enhance its technological infrastructure, the brokerage landscape is poised to undergo a transformative shift, fostering greater accessibility, operational efficiency, and market resilience. This dynamic progression addresses the increasingly complex and diverse demands of a rapidly changing global market, positioning APAC as a key hub for innovation and stability in the financial sector. This edition highlights the expert perspectives of Meliawati Mail, VP, Head of Investor Relations, PT Bank Muamalat Indonesia Tbk, and Axel Hauke, Global Head of Treasury Trading at Partners Group. These esteemed professionals share their invaluable insights concerning the developments and challenges within the sector and possible solutions. We hope these valuable insights will assist you in making informed decisions for your businesses. Let us know your thoughts!
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