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● For those serious about their personal finances in Singapore, the Seedly Personal Finance Festival is, dare I say, one of the events you can’t miss. What started as a small community meetup with 100 attendees to spread personal finance knowledge has grown into Singapore’s biggest personal finance festival. As our Head of Seedly, Yeap Ming Feng, shared, having sound financial habits isn’t just about savings or investment returns; it’s about fostering a fulfilling and joyful life. Seedly Personal Finance Festival 2024 is the fifth instalment of our Personal Finance Festival, which is themed around Singapore’s neighbourhoods. It attracted an impressive 5,000 attendees who immersed themselves in 15-plus hours of insightful content delivered by 71 esteemed speakers! None of this would have been possible without the generous support of our Lead Sponsor ‘s generous support of our event. In addition to Citi’s beautiful booth, deals and presence at the festival, we had two of Citi’s speakers bring their A-game and drop some knowledge about investing, retirement planning and legacy planning. Read on to find out more. Audrey Ho, CFA, CAIA, a seasoned Investment Consultant at Singapore, joined Ankita Thakur, Head of Marketing at , to discuss how investors should approach investing in an uncertain world: Ankita kicked off the session with a nod to a indicating that while young Singaporeans enter the investment game early, their excitement is tempered by anxiety: She then outlined the main reasons for this anxiety: limited budgets, fear of investment losses, and a lack of knowledge. Audrey added that to combat these fears, we could implement the strategy of ‘future-proof investing’, which is all about having clear, tangible financial goals and understanding the associated with different investment timelines. Audrey didn’t just focus on investment strategies; she also provided a macroeconomic overview crucial for every investor to understand. She discussed how current global economic trends significantly shape investment decisions, particularly interest rates influenced by inflation and . In addition, she touched on the impact of geopolitical tensions and how these could offer unexpected opportunities for savvy investors. Focusing on the near future, Audrey highlighted what Citi believes will be key growth drivers as espoused in Citi’s report: With an ageing global population, increasing energy security concerns, and developments in , these sectors are poised for growth and transformation. This part of the discussion was particularly valuable for those looking to align their portfolios with long-term global trends. Audrey also discussed the implications of China and the US’s worsening relations in the global technology sector. In conclusion, Audrey and Ankita’s session offered actionable strategies for anyone looking to build a robust, future-proof investment portfolio. The discussions highlighted the need for strategic diversification, sector focus, and adapting to new economic realities—a toolkit every modern investor should possess. , the , presented her keynote: She covered questions like: During the keynote, Rena shared her experiences and insights from her 16-year tenure in the banking industry, which began amidst the 2008 . This crisis highlighted the importance of secure investments, particularly insurance, to safeguard one’s financial future. Rena started by recounting the uncertainties of 2008, when many lost their savings and retirement funds due to the market crash, underscoring the relief clients felt upon discovering their investments in insurance were secure. This experience significantly influenced her career focus on insurance and financial planning, emphasising protection, legacy, and retirement. She stressed the importance of building a robust financial foundation to meet wealth goals, which involves creating savings, managing expenses, and developing secondary income sources like through investments or insurance plans. Rena also touched on the critical issue of inflation and the need to grow savings to outpace it, emphasising the power of over time. FYI: Here are : Rena further explored the concept of legacy planning, debunking misconceptions that it is only for the or those with families. She argued that legacy planning is about caring for loved ones regardless of one’s current wealth level and highlighted how structured planning could significantly enhance the value of the wealth passed on to future generations. In sum, Rena’s insights highlight the importance of proactive financial planning and adapting strategies according to individual and familial needs, ensuring financial stability and growth through various economic conditions.