Barrenjoey Capital Partners is intending to merge with ASX-listed Magellan Financial Group to create a firm with a balance sheet of A$2bn.

Hong Kong-based Rod Francis will lead the global firm's Asia Pacific Financial Crime practice.

The oil price has surged to $82 a barrel amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz as Iran responds with multiple missiles across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran over the weekend; the UAE has closed its stock markets for two days.

Goldie joins the investment firm from Invesco in London and is chair of the European Fund and Asset Management Association ETF task force. Capital Group has seven offices in Apac.

The bank's shares climbed as it beat analysts' expectations despite facing a commercial real estate charge of $700m in Hong Kong. Chairman Brendan Nelson is confident of growth in Asia this year.

Amid a structural shift towards Asia, Insilico Medicine's IPO in December was a significant moment for the exchange, while French biotech TheraVectys is understood to be considering a listing.

SC's operating profit grew 6% last year; Zurich Australia snaps up life insurer ClearView; Citi Vietnam appoints Thai Nguyet Minh as head of markets.

If the deal is finalised, a combination of the US and UK global asset managers will control almost $2.5 trillion of assets under management; they both have offices across Apac.

Jalal Almarhoon previously worked for BNP Paribas in Saudi Arabia.

Brookfield Asset Management has acquired an office skyscraper in Tokyo from a consortium of Japanese investors for an undisclosed price; the global HQ of Dentsu Group is a tenant.