Nikko Asset Management and Chocolate Finance Enter into Strategic Partnership

Nikko Chocolate Finance Partnership marks a strategic fintech move to expand retail investment access across Asia. Nikko Asset Management (Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. together with all of its subsidiaries), one of Asia’s largest asset managers with US$234.8 billion in assets under management[1], has entered into a strategic partnership on 24 July with Singapore based “neobank” Chocolate Pte. Ltd., the operator of fintech group “Chocolate Finance”. The partnership gives Nikko Asset Management an equity stake in Chocolate Pte. Ltd. and will support Chocolate Finance’s expansion into Japan and other key markets, and will enable knowledge-sharing between the two companies in the retail investor space. 

Chocolate Finance, established in 2022, is a licensed fund management company and headquartered in Singapore, and has S$866 million in assets under management1. As a fund manager, Chocolate Finance offers cash savings solutions by offering stable, target returns benchmarked above fixed deposit returns but with no lock-ins. It does this by investing the cash into short-term investment-grade fixed-income funds managed by third party managers, including one fund managed by Nikko Asset Management Asia Limited, based in Singapore. 

The equity stake Nikko Asset Management acquires in Chocolate Pte. Ltd. represents the firms’ ongoing commitment to collaboration, and sets the stage for knowledge transfer in the investment management and digital spaces. The investment comes as Nikko Asset Management prepares to rename itself to Amova Asset Management, effective 1 September 2025.

Stefanie Drews, President and CEO, Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. commented, “As an asset manager powered by innovation, we were impressed by Chocolate Finance’s innovative new way to put idle cash to use. Consistent with our fiduciary responsibility, we are committed to helping clients reach their goals using the platform, asset class and risk tolerance they want.” 

Walter de Oude, Founder and CEO of Chocolate Pte. Ltd. commented, “This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for Chocolate Finance. We started this company to challenge how traditional cash savings works, and target better returns for everyone. Success in this space requires continuous innovation and building long-term trust with our users, and in Nikko AM we have found a partner who shares those values. With Nikko AM’s support and expertise, we are confident of scaling as we expand our offering to new geographies and continue to push the boundaries in the financial space, giving even more customers the best possible experience and happy returns.”

With the Nikko Chocolate Finance Partnership, both companies promise to give retail investors more power and make digital finance solutions available in more places.