A Landmark Partnership for the Greater Bay Area

HONG KONG, July 18, 2025 – Studio AM is proud to announce our central role in a landmark collaboration to establish the Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a world-class FinTech talent hub. This initiative, spearheaded by Irene Lee on behalf of Studio AM, the Compliance and Professional Education Division of a North American Family Office and Royal Roads University (situated in Victoria, Canada), and marked by the launch of the SHMFTPP International Certification Institute at Hong Kong Cyberport, represents a pivotal moment for the region's digital finance ecosystem—one that we are excited to help lead.

This landmark announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Bay Area (Shenzhen) Digital Finance Summer Camp. The occasion served as a high-profile platform not just to celebrate the achievements of the summer camp's participants, but to formalize the very partnerships that will shape the future of FinTech talent in the region, witnessed by a prestigious assembly of leaders from government, academia, and the financial industry.

The Hub & Our Role: Building the Foundation

For years, one of the primary challenges facing the rapidly growing FinTech sector in the GBA has been the lack of a unified benchmark for professional skills. By building a bridge to a standardized talent development framework for fintech recruitment and skillsets across the GBA and overseas, the Institute is set to streamline hiring, ease cross-border mobility, and boost the global competitiveness of the region.

The choice of Hong Kong Cyberport as its home is no coincidence. Anchoring the Institute within a global financial center like Hong Kong lends it immediate international weight and credibility. It strategically positions the GBA's FinTech standards to gain wider acceptance on the world stage, making the region a more attractive and legible destination for top-tier global talent.

“The SHMFTPP Institute is pleased to announce the signing of MOUs with The Chinese University of Hong Kong and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, as well as the launch of new bridging programs with Studio AM and Royal Roads University. These partnerships will connect the Institute’s certification to global standards. It’s a privilege for SHMFTPP Institute to connect North American Family Office, SHMFTPP, and Royal Roads University in Canada. This first-ever collaboration opens up exciting possibilities for all partners involved.” said Irene Lee, Director of SHMFTPP Institute.

[MOUs Signing Ceremony 1 (From left to right)]
Mr. Li Kai (李凯), Director, SHMFTPP International Certification Institute
Mr. Li Shen (李绅), Executive Vice President, Shenzhen FinTech Association
Ms Irene Lee (李嘉明), Global Compliance Head of the North American Family Office, Director of SHMFTPP, Representative of Royal Roads University

[MOUs Signing Ceremony 2 (From left to right)]
Ms. Irene Lee Ka Ming (李嘉明), Director, SHMFTPP International Certification Institute
Mr. Li Shen (李绅), Executive Vice President, Shenzhen FinTech Association
Mr. He Qixin (何启新), Adjunct Associate Professor, Centre for Financial Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The Education Alliance: From Learning to Application

A cornerstone of our collaborative effort is the launch of the "International FinTech Academy", an educational venture co-established by the SHMFTPP Institute and China Telecom's Financial BG. This Academy is backed by influential bodies including Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Chinese Financial Association, the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers, China Life Overseas, ICBC (Asia), and CITIC Securities International.

The Academy will pioneer an integrated "learn-test-apply" model, creating a direct pipeline from education to certification and employment. This industry-led approach, combining China Telecom's tech infrastructure with the Institute's professional standards, is designed to cultivate the work-ready talent the global FinTech industry demands.

["International FinTech Academy" Announced as Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Certification Centre Opens at Hong Kong Cyberport]

Our Commitment and Vision

This collaboration is more than a partnership; it is a reflection of Studio AM's core mission to build the regulated, innovative, and practical bridges that the digital finance ecosystem needs. We believe that a robust talent pipeline, built on credible and unified standards, is the single most important factor for sustainable growth.

Through the leadership of Irene Lee at the SHMFTPP and our direct involvement in forging international educational pathways, we are not just observing the future of FinTech—we are actively building its foundation. Studio AM is committed to being the strategic partner for institutions, family offices, and professionals looking to navigate and thrive in this new era of digital finance.