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MoneyHero Appoints Hao Qian Chief Financial Officer

Former finance executive with Alibaba, Amazon, and Credit Suisse named MoneyHero’s permanent CFO


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2024 – MoneyHero Limited (NASDAQ: MNY) (“MoneyHero” or the “Company”), a market-leading personal finance and digital insurance aggregation and comparison platform in Greater Southeast Asia, today announced the appointment of Hao Qian as the Company’s new permanent Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), effective immediately. Reporting directly to MoneyHero’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Rohith Murthy, and the Company’s Board of Directors, Mr. Qian will be based at MoneyHero’s headquarters in Singapore.

Mr. Qian brings 17-plus years of diverse financial and leadership experience to MoneyHero. In his role as CFO, Mr. Qian will oversee all the Company’s financial systems and teams, including accounting, capital markets, compliance, and investor relations. Additionally, Mr. Qian will play a key role in strategic finance initiatives, including M&A and commercial partnerships.

“After conducting a thorough and competitive search process for our next CFO, we ultimately identified Hao as being the clear choice for our Company,” said Mr. Murthy. “Hao is a proven finance executive who has worked at globally respected organizations, including APAC-centric businesses and companies that are publicly traded on U.S. exchanges. Having recently listed on the Nasdaq ourselves, it was critical to find the right CFO who not only understands our model, markets, and mission, but also U.S. capital markets. Importantly, Hao has strong experience in scaling businesses and supporting ambitious growth strategies, and I am proud of our team for finding such an ideal candidate. I look forward to working closely together to build the business and drive shareholder value.”

Mr. Qian joins MoneyHero from Alibaba Group, where he held numerous senior finance positions over his nearly eight years with the global ecommerce giant, including serving as CFO of their Lazada business unit across multiple markets. Prior to Alibaba, Mr. Qian served as a Senior Financial Analyst with Amazon. He started his career with Credit Suisse, where he was a Risk Analyst focused on commodities and later an Assistant Vice President in the global credit products division. Mr. Qian’s prestigious educational credentials include a Master of Business Administration from the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science (finance) from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He completed his undergraduate degree at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

“I am thrilled to begin my tenure as the next CFO of MoneyHero,” said Mr. Qian. “This is a dynamic company with an exceptional leadership team, a supportive Board of Directors, strong growth drivers, and powerful access to capital. The business model and plans for expansion are sound, and I am bullish on how we can scale and optimize the Company’s financial systems to better support MoneyHero’s continued growth and market leadership.”

In connection with this appointment, Ivan Ho, who had served as the Company’s interim CFO since February 8th, will return to his previous role as MoneyHero’s Group Finance Director, where he will work closely with Mr. Qian.

For more information about MoneyHero, including information for investors and learning about career opportunities, please visit www.MoneyHeroGroup.com.

Hashtag: #moneyhero

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About MoneyHero Group

(NASDAQ: ), formerly known as Hyphen Group or CompareAsia Group, is a market leader in the online personal finance and digital insurance aggregation and comparison sector in Greater Southeast Asia. The Company operates in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Malaysia with respective brands for each local market. Its brand portfolio includes B2C platforms MoneyHero, SingSaver, Money101, CompareHero, Moneymax, and Seedly, as well as the B2B platform Creatory. MoneyHero currently manages 279 commercial partner relationships and services 8.7 million Monthly Unique Users across its platform for the 12 months ended December 31, 2023. The Company’s backers include Peter Thiel—co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and the Founders Fund—and Hong Kong businessman, Richard Li, the founder and chairman of Pacific Century Group. To learn more about MoneyHero and how the innovative fintech company is driving APAC’s digital economy, please visit .

Border Drug Smuggling Challenges Persist in Laos Despite Cooperative Efforts

Border Drug Smuggling Challenges Persist in Laos Despite Cooperative Efforts
FILE: A Laos police officer prepares piles of seized illegal drugs for a burning ceremony in Xam Neau town, a popular trafficking route (photo credit: Getty Image)

Despite concerted efforts with neighboring countries, Laos continues to grapple with persistent drug smuggling activities along its borders. Recent high-profile arrests underscore the severity of the problem, prompting renewed initiatives to bolster law enforcement and cooperation.

Thai Activist, Hunger-striker Dies in Custody

Photo credit: Thaluwang

Thai democracy activist Nethiporn “Bung” Sanesangkhom (28) passed away on 14 May to cardiac arrest at Thammasat University Hospital in Pathum Thani, shortly after ending an over-100-day hunger strike.

While the precise factors leading to Bung’s sudden cardiac event remain undisclosed, speculation arises regarding whether her prolonged hunger strike may have contributed to her declining health.

The woman was detained under charges of royal defamation, also known as “Article 112,” at the Central Women’s Correctional Facility since 26 January after being sentenced by the Bangkok South Criminal Court over a poll on the public’s disruption caused by royal motorcades on 8 February, 2022, and contempt of court. The court revoked her bail in connection with another protest she organized at the Ministry of Culture on 6 August, 2023.

Bung was reportedly associated with the prominent “Talu Wang” (palace-breaking) group, advocating for monarchy reform. 

According to Thai media, Bung initiated a hunger strike on the evening of 27 January to protest against the controversial law that penalizes individuals who criticize the royal family with up to 15 years in prison. Her protest also demanded reform of the justice system.

As she declined food, water, and most medications, her health gradually worsened, prompting authorities to transfer her from the prison to the Central Correctional Hospital in early February. Later, she was moved to Thammasat University Hospital for further treatment before being returned to the prison medical facility. Although she resumed eating in early April, her conditions remained weak, with slight leg swelling, anemia, and low mineral levels, according to local reports. Despite medical recommendations, she refused to take supplements or medications to address these issues.

Meanwhile, her two fellow political activists, Natthanon “Frank” Chaimahabud, and Tantawan “Tawan” Tuatulanon, are not giving up their hunger strikes. However, Thai authorities have reported that both Frank and Tawan have recently been accepting some liquids and medicine.

Bung’s hunger strike and death have not only captured attention due to her prominent political advocacy but have also sparked conversations about broader issues concerning detainees’ rights and healthcare standards within detention centers in Thailand. 

Second Lao University Games Concludes with NUOL Triumph

Military Academy and Luang Prabang’s Souphanouvong University. (Photo: The 2nd Laos University Games)

The second Lao University Games wrapped up in Vientiane on 13 May with the distribution of hundreds of medals to Lao athletes. 

Coda Bridge Launches First-of-its-Kind Purpose Bound Money Blockchain Charity Project in Hong Kong

Supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong and Dignity Kitchen


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2024 – In a groundbreaking initiative today, Coda Bridge introduced Purpose Bound Money (PBM) — the first innovative charity project of its kind in Hong Kong.

Pictured above - Mr. James Loh, Chairman of Coda Bridge (right) and Ms. Grace Fung Oei, RMHC Global Board of Trustees and RMHC Hong Kong Chairperson (left).
Pictured above – Mr. James Loh, Chairman of Coda Bridge (right) and Ms. Grace Fung Oei, RMHC Global Board of Trustees and RMHC Hong Kong Chairperson (left).

Ronald McDonald House Charities Hong Kong has been selected as the charitable organisation to be part of the pilot program. With this program, every eligible family will receive an electronic meal voucher of HK$500 (limited quota of 200 families) to dine at Dignity Kitchen, a top-notch social enterprise in HK with majority of their employees being physically challenged and disadvantaged.

This pilot project leverages blockchain smart contract technology and a simple web-based Purpose Bound Money (PBM) platform to distribute and facilitate utilization of the vouchers. PBM ensures that all funds are directed precisely to causes and locations specified by donors. This not only guarantees that the donors’ intentions are honored but also introduces an unprecedented level of transparency and integrity in the donation process.

“Coda Bridge’s collaboration with RMHC HK and Dignity Kitchen through this charity project is a testament to the impact of innovation technology for social good.” said James Loh, Chairman of Coda Bridge.

The versatility of the PBM platform extends beyond charity. It is poised to revolutionize the management of education funds, government disbursements, e-commerce, prepaid packages, and cross-border payments, enhancing the precision and efficiency of fund utilization. The PBM platform makes the digital money programmable, ensuring that funds are used for specific purposes and enhancing the transparency and controllability of funds.
Hashtag: #CodaBridge

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Coda Bridge

Coda Bridge, headquartered in Hong Kong and backed by leading venture capitalists, merges the expertise of seasoned financial and IT professionals. Our company harnesses the power of FinTech to innovate and drive efficiency in digital transactions through our blockchain based Purpose Bound Money platform, tailored for specific financial needs.

Appier delivers strong Q1 results, achieving continuous profitable growth with diversified customer traction

Early profitability sets the stage for a promising start toward its 2025 financial targets


Highlight and achievements of Q1 FY24:

  • Growth momentum continues, as revenue increased by 33% YoY, exceeding 31% of FY24 guidance to reach JPY 7.4 billion, driven by robust traction from existing customers and early success in vertical diversification strategies
  • Gross profit grew 37% YoY, with gross margin reaching 51.7%, a historical high for Q1 due to GenAI technology advancements and prediction accuracy improvements
  • Profitability ahead of schedule, with operating income turning profitable from the same period last year to JPY 65 million and a 0.9% operating margin, in addition to EBITDA margins at 10% to reach JPY 736 million
  • R&D investment in AI technology development enhances the positive cycle of operating leverage and sales productivity improvement, thereby driving continued improvements in key operating metrics

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2024 –

Strong Q1 performance reveals market strategy and business operation success

Appier Group Inc (TSE: 4180), henceforth referred to as Appier, today announced its earnings results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. Despite a traditionally low season, Appier’s Q1 revenue reached JPY 7.4 billion, marking a 33% YoY growth and exceeding 31% full-year guidance, further accelerating its business traction from the last quarter and the same period of last year with its consistent growth momentum. Meanwhile, the company’s gross profit YoY growth reached 37%, with a record high gross margin for Q1 of 51.7%.

The company’s operating income has significantly improved, increasing by JPY 96 million YoY and achieving profitability at JPY 65 million. This performance, highlighted by a 0.9% operating margin and a 10.0% EBITDA margin, is ahead of schedule due to disciplined cost management and gross margin improvement.

Appier’s enhanced gross and operating profit margins reflect its excellent execution capability to drive continuous technological advancements to profitable growth and S&M productivity enhancements. Appier’s R&D investment in AI technology not only enhances the positive cycle of operating leverage and sales productivity but also positions the company on a clear path toward achieving its FY25 targets. These investments lead to continuous improvements in key operating metrics, including growth in Average Revenue per Customer (ARPC) and gross and operating margins.

Robust revenue expansion and strategic customer diversification

Appier’s Q1 revenue growth highlights the success of its vertical diversification strategies across regions, aligned with continuous traction from existing customers, especially in the E-Commerce and Digital Content sectors. The company has observed significant growth in the adoption of GenAI technology by existing customers within the Advertising Cloud. Appier has also successfully expanded its customer base for Digital Content in South Korea and extended its reach into new domains across the US & EMEA, and NEA, demonstrating solid early gains.

Diversified vertical expansion and revenue streams have also been instrumental in driving Appier’s resilient growth. The company achieved 67% and 31% YoY revenue growth in the US & EMEA and NEA regions, respectively. Following the upcoming higher season for Digital Content and accelerated new customer acquisition, a promising second quarter and continued improvement in profitability are expected.

“We focus on developing state-of-the-art AI technology and translating it into tangible commercial benefits to drive customer ROI. As our customers grow, so does our operating leverage, leading to stronger financial outcomes,” said Dr. Chih-han Yu, CEO and Co-Founder, Appier. “Our Q1 results clearly reflect our dedication to these objectives and underscore our commitment to continuous strategic growth through technology advancement.”

Enhance GenAI capabilities in three strategic directions

Appier’s recent GenAI innovations are designed to elevate customer experiences and catalyze business growth across multiple dimensions. These include enhancing advertising performance, optimizing keyword exploration and improving auto-onsite editing.

  1. Enhanced advertising performance: Leverage GenAI to boost Advertising Cloud efficiency and achieve ROI-driven results through automated personalized marketing messages and creative generation.
  2. Optimized keyword exploration: Utilize GenAI to discover and target keywords and interests beyond conventional strategies and human knowledge, effectively expanding the customer base through innovative GenAI.
  3. GenAI auto onsite editor: Enable customers to describe their desired website templates through text or image inputs, which are then automatically learned and integrated using GenAI, reducing cross-departmental communication among marketing, engineering, and design teams.

With these GenAI applications, Appier believes it can collectively boost productivity, expand customer outreach, and enhance operational efficiency, setting a new digital marketing and content management standard.

Hashtag: #Appier #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeAI #MarTech #earnings


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Appier

Appier (TSE: 4180) is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that uses artificial intelligence to power business decision-making. Founded in 2012 with a vision of democratizing AI, Appier’s mission is turning AI into ROI by making software intelligent. Appier has 17 offices across APAC, Europe and US and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Visit for more company information, and visit for more IR information.

Indonesian Rescuers Search Through Rivers, Rubble After Flash Floods That Killed at Least 50

Mount Ibu spews volcanic materials into the air during an eruption in West Halmahera, Indonesia, on May 13, 2024. (PVMBG-ESDM via AP)

TANAH DATAR, Indonesia (AP) — Rescuers on 14 May searched in rivers and the rubble of devastated villages for bodies, and whenever possible, survivors of flash floods that hit Indonesia’s Sumatra Island over the weekend.

Monsoon rains and a landslide of mud and cold lava from Mount Marapi caused rivers to breach their banks. The deluge tore through mountainside villages in four districts in West Sumatra province just before midnight on 11 May.

The floods swept away people and 79 homes and submerged hundreds of houses and buildings, forcing more than 3,300 residents to flee to temporary government shelters, National Disaster Management Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said.

Muhari said 50 bodies had been pulled from mud and rivers by Tuesday, mostly in worst-hit Agam and Tanah Datar districts, while rescuers are searching for 27 people who are reportedly missing.

Lao Government Mandates Licensing for Commercial Land Use

Patuxay Monument (Photo: Laotian Times)

In a move aimed at regulating land-related businesses and tax management, the Lao government has introduced a ban on issuing land titles to buyers acquiring land use rights for commercial purposes without the requisite licenses from the natural resources and environment sector.