On 15 May 2026, the Asia Cross-Border Investment Insights Summit and I&M Professional Investment Awards Ceremony, hosted by Insights & Mandate, was held at The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen. First Plus Asset Management ("First Plus") was recognised for its outstanding investment performance, receiving the Best Fund Launch award at the 2026 I&M Professional Investment Awards — the sole recipient of the regional fixed income distinction within this category. The Insights & Mandate Annual Professional Investment Awards is one of the most authoritative honours in the regional asset management industry, recognising firms that have demonstrated exceptional performance in investment returns, market expansion, and regional presence across the Asia-Pacific region. This recognition affirms First Plus's leadership in Asia-Pacific securitised asset investing and reflects strong industry acknowledgement of the firm's expertise and innovation.

The summit brought together senior leaders from across the financial sector — including insurance asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, private banks, and family offices — to explore investment opportunities and challenges in an increasingly complex global economic environment.

Justin Chew, Co-Head of Structured Credit Strategy at First Plus Asset Management, was invited to join the summit roundtable discussion: "From Oil Shocks to Geopolitics: How Should We Better Invest in Credit Assets in 2026?" Drawing on First Plus's investment experience, Mr. Chew examined credit market opportunities across multiple dimensions, including private credit liquidity risks, US-Iran geopolitical tensions, US dollar weakness, and hedging costs.

Mr. Chew highlighted that in today's high-volatility environment, yield resilience matters more than the absolute level of yield. Asia-Pacific asset-backed securities (ABS) remain an under-penetrated segment within global fixed income. Characterised by low correlation to other major asset classes, underlying assets consisting of cash flow-backed debt instruments, and a short duration profile, Asia-Pacific ABS is well-positioned to deliver compelling risk-adjusted returns for investors navigating a challenging macroeconomic backdrop. Mr. Chew's insights were warmly received by fellow panellists and attendees.

The Asia-Pacific Securitisation Strategy — the award-winning strategy — is one of First Plus Asset Management's distinctive flagship offerings. The strategy invests primarily in high-quality asset-backed securities in developed Asia-Pacific markets, targeting securities rated investment grade or above by the three major international credit rating agencies. Its long-term live track record has been tested across multiple market cycles, demonstrating the firm's deep capabilities and expertise in Asia-Pacific securitised asset investing.

Since inception, the strategy has attracted strong interest and commitment from institutional and ultra-high-net-worth investors, and is currently available across major distribution channels. Relative to conventional corporate or government bonds, asset-backed securities offer key structural advantages: diversified risk exposure, lower correlation to broader markets, and attractive risk-adjusted returns — making them an indispensable portfolio allocation tool for sophisticated investors.