Winners Rationale

“UBS Global Wealth Management APAC (UBW GWM APAC) was awarded Best International Private Bank – CIO Office for the depth, consistency and real-world impact of its APAC CIO,” said Audrey Raj, editor of Asian Private Banker. “The office translates institutional-grade research into clear, actionable guidance that supports client outcomes across market cycles.

“At the core of UBS’s approach is a disciplined, research-led investment framework underpinned by a single global house view, delivered with local relevance. With round-the-clock coverage across major asset classes, regions and themes, the CIO office provides timely insights that shape strategic and tactical asset allocation, portfolio construction and risk management for private wealth clients worldwide. 

“This structure has enabled UBS to deliver strong, risk-adjusted performance across flagship multi-asset portfolios and discretionary strategies over the long term, while navigating periods of heightened market volatility.

“A core differentiator is UBS’s strategic asset allocation framework, which forms the backbone of long-term portfolio construction and is designed to account for the majority of performance over time, reinforcing consistency, risk control and durability of outcomes across market cycles.

“Judges were impressed by the CIO office’s ability to identify high-conviction themes, with tactical calls in gold, AI and China technology translating into strong portfolio outcomes and client engagement through timely communicated insights. AI thought leadership translated into investible outcomes, driving strong AUM growth in CIO-linked actively managed certificates and performance that outperformed benchmarks.

“Equally important is the CIO office’s role in guiding clients along their broader wealth journey. Through frameworks such as UBS Wealth Way and Messages in Focus, the CIO office connects investment strategy with liquidity needs, long-term growth objectives and legacy planning, ensuring advice remains aligned with evolving client priorities.

“For these reasons, UBS GWM’s APAC CIO office, led by Tan Min Lan, wins Best International Private Bank – CIO Office, exemplifying how scale, research excellence and disciplined execution deliver measurable client value.”