The post Asia ex Japan: Dragons and salamanders appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealthy Asian investors are increasingly abandoning transactional trading in favour of structured portfolio advice, driving double-digit AUM growth across digital advisory platforms. BNP Paribas Wealth Management’s digital advisory platform, MyAdvisory, has clocked a compound annual AUM growth rate of over 20% over the past five years, reflecting a sharp shift among wealthy Asian investors from transactional trading to fee-based portfolio […]

The post Digital advisory is everywhere. But what’s really changing? HSBC, BNP Paribas weigh in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore equities are on track for their fifth consecutive quarter of gains, prompting private wealth managers to upgrade their outlooks as state-backed liquidity injections begin addressing long-standing valuation discounts. The benchmark Straits Times Index (STI) has climbed around 23% since the start of the year, supported largely by the Singapore Exchange’s (SGX) efforts to unlock value and develop the equity […]

The post UOB, UBS and Maybank see more Singapore stock gains after MAS’s S$6.5bn boost appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealthy families in Asia are bolstering the internal governance of their trust structures, seeking to protect legacy assets against an increasingly aggressive global tax and regulatory environment. In Asia, in particular, China’s crackdown on income tax on gains derived from offshore trusts and Singapore’s ongoing scrutiny of single-family offices following high-profile money-laundering cases in recent years are raising the costs […]

The post Tougher scrutiny, smarter trusts? UBS and Julius Baer explain appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Indian asset and wealth manager 360 ONE has appointed a 30-year Kotak veteran to a senior role focusing on the firm’s growth strategy and talent management. Abhishek Bhalotia has been appointed chief growth and people officer, the firm said in a statement on Thursday. In his new role, Bhalotia will lead the group’s talent management strategy, learning and development agenda, […]

The post 360 ONE nabs 30-year Kotak veteran for exec role appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Rather than fleeing tech amid stretched US valuations, Barclays Private Bank is reallocating capital within the sector, targeting emerging market supply chains and companies actively converting AI capital expenditure into margin growth. The British bank prefers emerging-market equities due to their relatively cheap valuations compared with developed markets and their exposure to Asia’s artificial intelligence supply chain, according to Ken […]

The post It “isn’t the moment for big directional bets”, warns Barclays PB appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asset managers are expanding the use cases for tokenised money market funds (MMFs) to include collateral, liquidity management and lending, but distribution infrastructure and regulations remain barriers to scaling. Tokenised funds record share ownership on a blockchain, enabling fractional investment, peer-to-peer trading, and smart-contract automation with instant settlement instead of multi-day delays. MMFs were a “natural starting point” for distributed […]

The post Tokenised MMFs broaden use cases, but distribution remains the hurdle appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank’s strategy to double down on its Greater China business paid dividends in 1H26, with net new money (NNM) nearly doubling while corporate-to-private bank collaborations surged 30%. Driven by double-digit growth in mandate flows, the bank’s Greater China business nearly doubled its NNM in 1H26 compared to 1H25, propelling double-digit revenue growth, HSBC Private Bank shared with Asian […]

The post HSBC PB nearly doubles Greater China NNM as corporate-to-private collaborations jump 30% appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Hong Leong Bank (HLB) has made four senior appointments for its regional wealth management business. May Lam has joined as regional head of wealth commercialisation, performance and segment strategy, according to an organisational announcement seen by Asian Private Banker. She will report to Jeffrey Yap, managing director and regional head of wealth management. Lam has more than 25 years of […]

The post Hong Leong Bank strengthens regional wealth leadership with four senior hires appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered Private Bank has made a series of hires to boost its team in Singapore, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Koo Kin Keong has joined the bank as a managing director and team head for Greater China. Meanwhile, He Fang Fang and Iris Fang have both joined as directors, sources told APB. The three new hires will report to […]

The post StanChart PB on hiring spree in Singapore for Greater China and SEA appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Several years ago, alternative assets were little more than an afterthought in Thailand — a satellite slice of a wealthy investor’s portfolio added for flavour rather than foundation. Today, that paradigm has shifted dramatically. For a growing tier of wealthy Thai investors, private assets have transformed into a strategic allocation.  Triphon Phumiwasana, chief investment officer at K WEALTH at Kasikornbank […]

The post Access alone won’t drive Thailand’s next phase of private markets, says KBank CIO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

BPI Wealth, the asset and wealth management unit of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), will adopt BlackRock’s Aladdin platform. The platform will enable BPI Wealth to integrate risk analytics, portfolio management tools, and operational workflows into a unified system, according to a statement released on Tuesday. This will allow for better management of multi-asset portfolios while delivering investment […]

The post Philippines’ BPI Wealth adds BlackRock Aladdin to investment toolkit appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management (BNP Paribas WM) is targeting an even younger cohort of next-generation heirs with a programme in Hong Kong to help drive next-gen client stickiness and retain assets amid a major inter-generational wealth transfer in Asia. The move comes as global wealth managers, including UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), have also expanded their next-generation […]

The post Private banks face next-gen retention test. BNP Paribas WM thinks it has the answer appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UBS Global Wealth Management (UBS GWM) has hired a former senior executive at EFG for its China coverage, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Hong Kong, Seamus Yin has joined the bank’s China international market team as a market team head, reporting to Marina Lui, head of wealth management for China at UBS GWM, according to an internal memo […]

The post UBS GWM hires ex-EFG senior exec for China team appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior investment executive is departing Bank of Singapore after nearly five years with the lender, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Singapore-based Cynthia Lai, head of managed solutions advisory at the bank, is leaving, sources told APB. Bank of Singapore confirmed Lai’s resignation. APB has been unable to determine Lai’s next career move. An investment veteran with more than two decades of experience in wealth […]

The post Bank of Singapore’s managed solutions advisory head exits appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Frictions will remain a constant in the relationship between private banks and external asset managers, said Kelvin Tan, market head, Singapore market and external asset management, UOB Private Bank. This, however, he tells Asian Private Banker, is fine so long as the partnership continues benefiting both parties. “You continue to see some partners work very well with certain banks, while […]

The post “Frictions are evergreen”: PB-EAM relationship remains challenging, but vital, says UOB PB appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

LGT Wealth India has made a senior appointment for its equity investment platform. Harsh Agarwal has been appointed as chief investment officer, equities, according to a statement on Monday. Agarwal brings over two decades of experience across asset management, hedge funds, proprietary trading and equity research. Most recently, he served as president of specialised investment funds at 360 ONE Asset, […]

The post LGT Wealth India appoints CIO for equities from 360 ONE Asset appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

CICC International Wealth Management (CICC International WM) is building out automated discretionary portfolio management (DPM) solutions to capture surging demand under Hong Kong’s New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES). The tech-led compliance push comes as CICC International WM seeks to accelerate asset growth across its flagship “China Top 50 Intl” and “Global 50” fund of funds strategies, leveraging DPM […]

The post CICC International WM deploys DPM tech to capture CIES flows in Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The traditional model for serving non-resident Indian (NRI) family offices is shifting as a new generation of ultra high net worth (UHNW) Indians living overseas take a more global approach to wealth and investment, according to executives at Farro Capital. That shift is also narrowing the distinctions between family offices established by global Indians and those of other UHNW international […]

The post NRI diaspora “disappearing with the next generation”: US$3bn MFO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Radiant World was, until three weeks ago, a name most private bankers had probably never heard. It traded iron ore at scale, built relationships with Vitol, Cargill, and Glencore, and grew into one of the world’s largest iron ore traders. Then came reports that some counterparties had raised concerns about the validity of invoices and other documentation provided to banks […]

The post Bottom Line: Radiant World – when business risk becomes wealth risk appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Federated Hermes. Within Asia ex-Japan portfolios, few allocation decisions carry as much weight, or as much misconception, as the one on China. For investors weighing how much conviction the region’s largest market deserves, there is often a gulf between perception and reality. For investors weighing an allocation to China, there is often a gulf […]

The post China equity: Looking beyond the noise appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Taiwan’s top financial regulator signalled a major policy shift on 5 May 2026, igniting hopes of keeping billionaire wealth onshore, after the Financial ​Supervisory Commission (FSC) quietly opened the door to recognising dynasty trusts. The move paves the way for wealthy families to establish onshore irrevocable, century-long succession vehicles designed to bypass the generational handoff gift or estate tax liabilities.  […]

The post Taiwan opens door to 100-year trusts – but can they work? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior private banker covering Thailand has departed UOB Private Bank after more than a decade with the lender, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Chomplern Ueavivatsakul, a senior director at the bank, has recently left, sources told APB. Her license with UOB on the MAS website terminated on 8 August 2026. UOB Private Bank declined to comment on personnel matters. […]

The post Senior Thai banker departs UOB Private Bank appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian ultra high net worth clients are engaging in a multi-year realignment away from USD-denominated assets, turning what began as geopolitical risk mitigation into a broader foreign exchange diversification strategy. Driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East and shifting interest rate trajectories, Asian clients’ flows have shifted toward safe havens, such as the Swiss franc (CHF) and commodity-related pairs, […]

The post Currency moves will “only increase”: Deutsche Bank on FX impact for UHNW portfolios appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As private banks across Asia compete for the loyalty of ultra high net worth families, non-financial touchpoints are increasingly defining brand stickiness. For Swiss bank Pictet, central to this approach is Collection Pictet, a curated body of nearly 1,200 artworks displayed across the group’s 31 global offices. The collection’s chief curator and global head of arts for Pictet Group, Loa […]

The post Beyond the balance sheet, how Pictet uses art to win clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Julius Baer Nomura Wealth Management (JBNWM) has made a senior appointment in Tokyo to strengthen its leadership bench and drive growth in Japan, according to a statement on Thursday.  Junichiro Ozawa has been appointed head of sales and Japan representative at JBNWM, effective 3 August 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Based in Tokyo, Ozawa is tasked with accelerating JBNWM’s sales […]

The post Julius Baer JV adds senior leadership in Tokyo to drive Japan growth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Global macroeconomic fundamentals may look solid on paper, but underlying financial market fragility threatens to cap upside for ultra high net worth portfolios in the second half of the year. According to Julia Wang, North Asia CIO at Nomura International Wealth Management (Nomura IWM), a massive surge in corporate borrowing — driven by AI capital expenditure — is colliding with […]

The post Nomura IWM: Market “plumbing issues” threaten UHNW portfolio returns appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered’s capital market products and solutions desk recorded a 50% to 60% year-on-year surge in structured product traded notional across North Asia in the first half of 2026, driven by heightened equity volatility and expanded digital automation. Speaking to Asian Private Banker, Nicolas Rigois, global head of capital market products & solutions, revealed that private banking clients in Hong […]

The post StanChart North Asia structured products volume jumps 60% on volatility, automation appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Nomura International Wealth Management (Nomura IWM) has launched a physical gold trading and custody service in Singapore for ultra and high net worth (UHNW) clients. Clients can buy, sell, and store 400-troy-ounce (12.4 kg) gold bars, representative of the global benchmark for international trade settlement, and kilobars, the preferred size in Asian markets, in a Singapore vault, according to a […]

The post Nomura IWM brings physical gold to Singapore UHNW clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore has made a senior appointment to support its Greater China and North Asia (GCNA) coverage. Based in Singapore, Penny Low has been appointed as a senior relationship manager in the GCNA team, according to a statement on Wednesday. Bank of Singapore’s GCNA team is led by Eng Chien Chan, market group head for GCNA, while Rickie Chan […]

The post Bank of Singapore hires senior RM from Deutsche Bank PB appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Franklin Templeton has hired another former private banking senior investment executive as part of its wealth push in Asia. Based in Hong Kong, Steven Xia joined the US asset manager as a director for private markets, Asia wealth. A spokesperson for Franklin Templeton confirmed Xia’s appointment and added that he will report to Jiun Wen Chee, head of private markets, APAC wealth. […]

The post Ex-UBP Asia private markets head joins US$1.8tn fund manager appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Property has long been a highly sought-after investment in Singapore, with the luxury residential segment being a closely watched pocket of the market. Data from real estate firm Cushman & Wakefield Singapore shows that luxury residential sales — defined as units priced above S$3,000 (US$2,340) per square foot (PSF) and S$5 million in total — rose from 111 units in […]

The post Scarcity, status and wealth: Inside Singapore’s luxury property boom appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered has launched a gold income strategy under its Variable Capital Company (VCC) platform with Allianz Global Investors (Allianz GI) as the sub-manager. The Signature Select Enhanced Gold Income Fund combines investments in gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with a covered call strategy to provide gold exposure and income, according to a statement on Tuesday. Under the agreement, AllianzGI’s global […]

The post StanChart taps gold with AllianzGI VCC income fund appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Former Bank of Singapore CEO has joined independent wealth manager WRISE Group as senior advisor to its group executive committee, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Bahren Shaari spent 14 years at Bank of Singapore, rising from managing director to CEO, before retiring in December 2022. He previously spent 12 years at UBS, where he joined in 1996 and served as […]

The post Ex-BoS CEO Bahren Shaari resurfaces at WRISE as senior advisor appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Optimism for equities among private banking chief investment officer (CIO) teams has continued for a third quarter, despite some hesitation over stretched valuations and the impact of geopolitical events. Sentiment towards gold still remains positive, but has moderated slightly. The biggest shift has been a switch from a more reserved stance toward alternatives to a much more constructive one, with […]

The post CIO views 3Q26: Equities, hedge funds shine as gold cools and high yield stays unloved appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UOB Private Bank has onboarded a healthcare long/short strategy in partnership with Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Under the agreement, UOB Private Bank clients will gain access to Seligman Investments’ specialist healthcare long/short strategy, according to a news release shared first with APB. This follows an earlier launch of its technology long/short strategy through the same partnership. […]

The post UOB Private Bank partners with Columbia Threadneedle to bring healthcare strategy to clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Thailand’s increasingly stringent stance on a common market practice of international wealth management is pushing private banks to consider establishing an onshore presence in the country. Historically, market players relied on reverse solicitation practices to justify the fly-in, fly-out model, even though Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had never formally endorsed it. This changed in September 2024, when the […]

The post Thai SEC solicitation crackdown: Offshore private banks remain exposed under ‘fly-in’ model appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian boutique external asset managers trying to break the elusive “US$1 billion in AUM” status are competing in an overly crowded environment that makes it difficult to scale because of increasingly cautious investors and a mixed bag of EAMs – some good, and some not so, Wayne Mo, CEO of AL Capital, told Asian Private Banker. “Beyond the traditional big […]

The post Asia’s independent wealth managers face hard US$1bn ceiling, says AL Capital CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

I had a few interesting conversations last week. They were with different executives, from different institutions, discussing different topics. Yet one theme kept surfacing – the wealth continuum. It has been one of wealth management’s most accepted ideas. Build a relationship with a client early, support them as their wealth grows, and eventually move them from affluent banking into private […]

The post Bottom Line: What if clients don’t want to climb the private banking ladder? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

South Korea’s stock market has swung from one of Asia’s standout performers to one of its most volatile markets in recent weeks. Yet private banks and asset managers remain broadly constructive, advising ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) to stay selective on the country’s long-term equity story. The tech-heavy KOSPI index has fallen sharply by about 40% from its 22 […]

The post South Korea lost 40% — still a UHNW bet? RBC WM, StanChart, JPM weigh in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered has received in-principle approval from India’s International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to distribute capital markets products. As such, the bank will launch its Signature CIO Funds from India’s Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), where it has had a presence since 2020, in the coming weeks, with additional wealth solutions to follow, the bank said in a […]

The post StanChart to launch CIO funds in India’s GIFT City appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

DBS, OCBC, and UOB reported new highs in income, fees, and assets under management (AUM) for their wealth management businesses, adding to the growing list of private banking giants reaching fresh milestones this earnings season. After posting record wealth income and fees in 1Q26, DBS Wealth Management refreshed those records again in 2Q26 while surpassing a new milestone in wealth […]

The post Singapore’s big three notch record wealth income, fees and AUM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private bankers transitioning to Asia’s independent wealth sector are demanding record salary hikes, but external asset manager (EAM) leaders warn that many struggle to shed legacy “product-pushing” habits. This, Kelvin Leong, CEO, Merliance Capital, told Asian Private Banker, applies especially to senior private bankers with established books and skills, such as Mandarin proficiency and cross-border structuring experience. “We’ve seen base […]

The post Private bankers joining EAMs can’t shake “product pushing” mindset appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A rare coordinated market action by the US Treasury Department and Japan’s Ministry of Finance to stem the yen’s slide has sent a clear signal to currency markets, but top private banking investment experts warn that central bank intervention cannot overrule economic fundamentals. Despite the joint buying operation on 30–31 July 2026, persistent inflation and expanding fiscal policy under Japan’s […]

The post UBS, Nomura, UOB PB reveal post-yen intervention portfolio playbooks appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A veteran Royal Bank of Canada executive is retiring after more than 25 years with the Canadian lender, triggering a senior leadership transition in Asia, according to an announcement on Thursday. Rod Ireland, who leads RBC’s Asia wealth management and APAC Global Markets businesses—overseeing key institutional client relationships, coverage, and regulatory governance across Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Australia—will retire on December […]

The post RBC names new Asia wealth chief as veteran Rod Ireland retires appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

When Werner Schlossmacher began his banking career in the ’90s, the industry was making the transition from monochrome green-screen terminals to desktop computers. Decades later, the now chief operating officer (COO) for Barclays Private Bank Asia sees the exact same technological watershed unfolding today. “We are at another significant technology inflection point. AI and generative AI are already reshaping how […]

The post Barclays Asia COO on private banking’s AI turning point appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UOB Group will sell its asset management arm to Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) and enter into a long-term distribution agreement with the firm, continuing a trend of consolidation in the asset management industry. Singapore-headquartered UOB Group has entered into an agreement to sell UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) to AllianzGI for S$555 million (US$432.8 million), including excess cash and the distribution […]

The post UOB sells asset management arm to AllianzGI with distribution tie-up appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks across Asia are escalating their push into CIO-led multi-asset funds as wealth managers scramble to convert transactional client relationships into sticky, managed mandates. Driven by volatile macro conditions and shifting interest-rate dynamics, institutions are increasingly centralising their investment house views into flagship discretionary fund structures. The objective is twofold: systematically capture net new money while de-risking revenue streams […]

The post Private banks use CIO-led funds to win DPM assets appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The region’s wealthtech sector has drawn yet another contender, as Lighthouse Canton rolls out its proprietary wealthtech platform to capture clients sandwiched between mass-market robo-advisors and traditional private banks. The wealthtech platform, Keenai Wealth, is currently operating in closed beta, with an official public launch set for 19 August 2026, when the firm will announce the platform’s key banking partnership, […]

The post Wealthtech entrant Keenai Wealth targets S$1 billion AUM by 2027 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In July 2026, several private banks deepened their investment expertise by hiring additional product specialists to their teams. The flurry of appointments comes as ultra-wealthy families and individuals are pushing deeper into increasingly complex alternative investment products, prompting relationship managers (RMs) to rely more on their investment colleagues for support. Movers in July Simultaneously, former UBS South Asia Pacific CIO […]

The post Movers & Shakers: Private banks strengthen investment benches as RMs call for backup appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC recorded double-digit top-line and AUM growth for its wealth business in 1H26, extending its growth momentum after a quarter of strong net new money growth. Outside of its wealth business growth, HSBC also delivered single-digit top-line and double-digit bottom-line growth driven by higher fees for its International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB) segment. This puts HSBC in similar territory […]

The post HSBC 1H26: Asia wealth balances reach US$1.1tn with private banking fee momentum appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealthy families and professionals are returning to Hong Kong, driven by competitive local tax incentives and rising geopolitical volatility abroad, according to BMP Wealth CEO Howard Clark-Burton Speaking to Asian Private Banker, Clark-Burton highlighted the city’s recently gazetted tax bill as a decisive factor for asset managers escaping high-tax regimes in London and Singapore. “Without a shadow of a doubt, […]

The post “The bankers are coming back”: Tax relief fuels Hong Kong comeback – BMP Wealth CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banking client inflows into hedge funds at DBS Bank in the first six months of 2026 have already eclipsed the total recorded for all of last year, driven by wealthy Asian investors pivoting toward alternative strategies to bolster portfolio resilience. The surge reflects a broader portfolio pivot as clients seek to manage tech concentration risks and buffer against persistent […]

The post DBS 1H26 hedge fund inflows surpass full-year 2025 total appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

VP Bank’s former Singapore co-head has joined digital asset bank Sygnum in Singapore. Effective 1 August 2026, Reto Marx has been appointed as chief executive officer of Sygnum Singapore, according to a statement on Monday. Marx’s departure from the boutique private bank was reported by APB in April 2026, with his last day being confirmed as 31 July 2026. His […]

The post Former VP Bank Singapore co-head resurfaces as digital asset bank CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the Philippines prepares for a projected 63% surge in its billionaire population over the next five years, international private banks are doubling down on offshore capture. According to Knight Frank’s 2026 Wealth Report, the country’s ultra high net worth population is set to expand by 49% to 2,844 by 2031, placing it among the fastest-growing wealth creation markets globally. […]

The post Deutsche Bank marks Philippines as “priority high-growth” market amid ultra-wealth surge appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks that put mass affluent clients in front of an artificial intelligence bot rather than a real person will see them walk away and flock to those that prioritise the human touch, independent wealth managers told Asian Private Banker. “As big institutions push the mass affluent toward automated channels, clients who value human judgment [will] migrate to independent platforms,” […]

The post AI could push affluent clients from private banks to IAMs, wealth managers say appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The numbers in this year’s Relationship Manager Compensation Report 2025 reveal more than who pays the highest salaries, whether Hong Kong still leads Singapore, or what drives RMs to move between institutions. They also offer clues about where Asia’s private banking industry is heading. Here are my two cents on what they tell us. Private banking is changing, and so […]

The post Bottom Line: RM compensation tells a bigger story appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Julius Baer is leaning on a unified leadership structure as the best way to cover the globally dispersed non-resident Indian (NRI) segment, Kunal Sumaya told Asian Private Banker. Geopolitical uncertainties impacted many private banks’ Middle East NRI businesses. However, Sumaya, head of global NRI at the Swiss pure play, views the situation as a short-term slowdown, rather than a protracted […]

The post One NRI playbook, multiple markets – Julius Baer’s race for India’s global wealth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered Private Bank has hired a former senior banker from Bank of Singapore as it continues to strengthen its Greater China franchise in Singapore. Tan Siang Ing has joined the emerging markets-focused lender as managing director and team head for Greater China, sources told Asian Private Banker. Standard Chartered confirmed Tan’s appointment. Tan is a seasoned private banker with […]

The post StanChart PB taps Bank of Singapore for Greater China role appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s new tax rules targeting offshore trusts have prompted wealthy families, trustees and advisers to reassess cross-border wealth structures. The regulations, which took effect immediately, impose a 20% tax on gains from shares, property and other assets transferred into offshore trusts, according to a joint statement from China’s Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration last Friday. The move comes […]

The post “The free lunch is over”: What China’s offshore tax overhaul means for private banks appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Indosuez Wealth Management (Indosuez WM) has expanded its Asia team with a senior relocation from Switzerland and the creation of a new Asia DPM head role. Muriel Aboud Schirmann, head of advisory and capital markets at Indosuez WM, will relocate from Geneva to Singapore on 1 August 2026, according to a statement on Thursday. Indosuez WM describes the move as […]

The post Indosuez WM names Asia DPM head, relocates advisory head to Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Independent wealth manager WRISE Group has made an investment of HK$30 million (US$3.82 million) to establish WRISE AI Labs to accelerate AI adoption across the group. Launched on Thursday in Hong Kong, the lab will focus on automating routine client servicing and providing advanced analytics, giving advisers more capacity to focus on client relationships, Derrick Tan, group executive chairman of […]

The post WRISE Group commits HK$30mn to accelerate AI adoption appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Julius Baer has made a senior leadership appointment in Asia as the Swiss pure-play private bank continues to expand its regional business. Based in Singapore, Nira Tanoko will join Julius Baer as market head for Southeast Asia and become a member of its Asia management committee, effective 2 November 2026. Tanoko brings more than 25 years of wealth management experience […]

The post Julius Baer hires Bank of Singapore banker as SEA market head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A decade ago, bankers frequently dismissed client inquiries about philanthropy as “money out the door.” Today, advisory around charitable giving has emerged as one of the most effective strategies for private banks to secure multi-generational client loyalty. According to Christoph Courth, global head of philanthropy services at Pictet Wealth Management, a combination of revised banker performance evaluations and soaring client […]

The post Philanthropy is no longer “money out the door” but what “wealthy families care about” appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore has halved its account-opening timeline to 15 business days using a new AI platform, the Singaporean bank said during a media briefing on Wednesday. Called HELIOS (Holistic wEalth Lifecycle Insights & Ongoing Surveillance), the platform’s ability to cut account-opening times – assuming no client document delays –is well ahead of the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s target for […]

The post Bank of Singapore halves client onboarding time with AI platform appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore-based independent firm Lighthouse Canton has launched a wealth management platform for non-resident Indians (NRIs) and cross-border investors. The platform, Global Indian, will bring multi-jurisdictional reporting, cross-border structuring, tax compliance, and a single advisor for wealth management across India and international jurisdictions, according to a company statement on Wednesday. Remittances to India reached a record US$135 billion in FY2024-25, while […]

The post Lighthouse Canton launches cross-border wealth platform to tap NRI family wealth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UBS Global Wealth Management (GWM) and Standard Chartered Wealth and Retail Banking (WRB) have both recorded over 50% increases in profit before tax, alongside growth momentum in AUM. For UBS GWM, its APAC unit saw bottom-line growth of almost 50% YoY, with invested assets reaching US$790 billion. Standard Chartered captured yet another quarter of growth after a quarter of record […]

The post UBS, StanChart capture 50%+ bottom-line growth for wealth businesses appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Taiwan has emerged as one of Asia’s hottest wealth markets in recent years, powered by a thriving semiconductor sector in the artificial intelligence era and regulatory efforts to foster industry growth. Domestic institutions have been increasingly strengthening their wealth management capabilities through tech upgrades, talent acquisition, and expanded offshore platforms to ride on the wealth boom, as covered extensively by […]

The post Taiwan’s wealth boom: Five international private banks to watch appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank has hired a former UBS banker for its business in Singapore, Asian Private Banker has learnt Tan Lay Hong will join the British lender as a desk head for Singapore, sources told APB. She will report to Hammad Hashmi, market head for Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia at the bank. A spokesperson for HSBC Private Bank confirmed Tan’s […]

The post HSBC Private Bank hires another ex-UBS banker for desk head role appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Following a US$330 million fine in May 2026 on three brokerages for illegal cross-border trading, Beijing’s rising scrutiny has prompted a quiet retreat among some of Hong Kong’s private banks. By early June, several global private banks began deferring mainland events and tightening travel reviews, opting for caution as capital controls intensified. The regulatory moves against illegal offshore securities operations […]

The post Will China’s cross-border capital curbs drive a rush to MRF and WMC? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore has made a senior appointment to strengthen its investment bench amid increasing demand from wealth clients for alternative investments. Based in Singapore, Benjamin Low will assume the role of head of alternative investments, effective from 17 August 2026. He will report to Jean Chia, the bank’s global chief investment officer, the bank said in an announcement on […]

The post Bank of Singapore hires head of alternative investments appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The post Relationship Manager Compensation Report 2025 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Not enough Asian ultra high net worth (UHNW) individuals put adequate care or thought into the post-retirement process, Tony Chan, partner, Lioner International Group, told Asian Private Banker. While they excel at running their businesses and creating wealth, some of them are “still at an early stage” in wealth planning, he said. “They are unsure whether to start with issues […]

The post “Discussions about death are taboo”: Asian UHNWIs still at “early stages” of wealth planning, Lioner says appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

After hitting a six-year low of just US$99 billion in 2024, global private infrastructure fundraising staged a massive comeback, surging past US$250 billion excluding co-investments in 2025. This sharp recovery, tracked by S&P Global’s With Intelligence, highlights a structural shift: institutional and individual allocators are increasingly demanding exposure to real-world physical assets over software-heavy direct lending strategies. Private banks and […]

The post Private wealth shifts to infra debt as corporate credit risks mount appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM) has made six senior appointments split across Hong Kong and Singapore, continuing its strategic recruitment efforts in the region. Based in Singapore, Shirley Tee has joined RBC WM as a managing director and team head for North Asia, according to a statement on Monday. Tee joins from Bank of Singapore, where she was a team […]

The post RBC WM makes six senior hires in HK and SG, including ex-BoS team head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Malaysia has never been the loudest wealth market in Asia, but that may be changing. A growing pool of billionaire families, more sophisticated affluent investors, and increasingly ambitious local banks are reshaping the country’s wealth landscape and putting it firmly on Southeast Asia’s radar. The opportunity is clear, but the bigger question is whether Malaysia’s banks can capture more of […]

The post Bottom Line: Malaysia has wealth. Can its banks win more of it?  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Fresh off his first 100 days as UBS Wealth Management’s regional CIO for Southern Asia Pacific, James Cheo is settling into a role that places him at the intersection of the world’s largest wealth manager’s global investment platform and one of its most dynamic client markets. Having spent more than a decade advising Asia’s wealthy across major private banks, Cheo’s […]

The post “Joining an Olympics team”: James Cheo’s first 100 days at UBS and his big bets appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Surging demand for US tech equities and gold is driving strong momentum in Union Bancaire Privée’s (UBP) Asian structured products business this year. The Swiss pure play’s structured notes trading volume was up 50% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative volumes leapt 130% over the same period, UBP’s Karrie Fung told Asian Private Banker. “With the […]

The post UBP Asia structured note volume jumps 50% on US tech, gold flows appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UOB Private Bank has announced ambitious targets for asset, revenue and hiring growth in Hong Kong. The Singaporean bank aims to grow Hong Kong assets under management (AUM) and wealth revenue fivefold by 2030, according to a statement on Thursday. The bank is also targeting to triple client advisor headcount, supported by continued investment in talent, advisory capabilities and technology. […]

The post UOB Private Bank to launch Hong Kong booking centre, triple advisor headcount appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from MetLife Investment Management. Key takeaways: Asian credit markets enter the second half of 2026 facing a more challenging external environment. Trade tensions have faded, but investors now face a different set of challenges: geopolitical fragmentation, elevated energy prices and policy uncertainty have moved to the fore.  Higher energy prices are forcing central banks across […]

The post 2026 Midyear Asia fixed income outlook: Resilience meets selectivity appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior investment executive at HSBC in Hong Kong is set to depart after seven years with the bank, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Lina Lim, head of funds & discretionary, Hong Kong, Wealth and Premier Solutions at HSBC, is leaving the bank, sources told APB. A spokesperson for HSBC confirmed that Lim will leave HSBC at the end of […]

The post HSBC’s Hong Kong head of funds & discretionary Lina Lim to exit appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Rapidly growing private wealth allocations to alternatives are exposing significant gaps in client understanding, from misinterpreting internal rates of return to expecting hedge funds to deliver equity-like upside with zero downside. Panellists at Asian Private Banker’s Alternatives Selection Nexus 2026 warned that while democratisation has brought private credit and equity to a broader investor base, relationship managers face a growing […]

The post “Wanting their cake and eating it”: UOB PB, J.P. Morgan AM unpack client alts misconceptions appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A confluence of factors is redirecting wealth towards Hong Kong, which will further stoke competition between independent wealth managers and private banks for a larger share of capital and talent, Kenny Ho, founder and managing partner, Carret Private, told Asian Private Banker. The strong Hong Kong IPO market has minted many wealthy Chinese individuals. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s AI and chip-led boom […]

The post What’s fuelling Hong Kong’s wealth comeback? Three drivers, says US$10bn IAM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia’s wealthy are beginning to invest more like their European counterparts, as geopolitical uncertainty, market volatility and the maturation of family wealth push investors beyond short-term trading towards longer-term portfolio construction, according to Lombard Odier. While Asian investors have traditionally been known for their willingness to seize market dislocations and pursue tactical opportunities, the Swiss private bank said it is […]

The post Are Asia’s wealthy investing like Europeans? Lombard Odier bosses say yes appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered made five senior appointments for its global chief investment office (CIO) team across Hong Kong and Singapore. Based in Singapore and Hong Kong, respectively, Robin Xie and Cindy Lam have both been appointed as senior investment strategists, according to a statement on Wednesday. In addition, Ryan Goh has been appointed as an investment strategist. Xie, Lam and Goh […]

The post StanChart appoints five strategists to global CIO team appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Barclays Private Bank (Barclays PB) has made a Singapore appointment to further its aim of building its platform in the city-state. Effective July 2026, Levia Goh has been appointed as a portfolio analyst on the investment management team in Singapore, according to a statement on Wednesday. Goh reports to Ong Shun Wei, head of investment management Singapore, who in turn […]

The post Barclays PB adds Nomura hire to Singapore team appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

J.P. Morgan Private Bank has hired two FX specialists from Deutsche Bank for its Hong Kong team, while making two additional appointments in Singapore for client coverage and wealth advisory, Asian Private Banker has learnt. In Hong Kong, Calvin Yue has joined the bank as an executive director on the FX direct access clients team, while Ellis Chu has also […]

The post J.P. Morgan Private Bank hires four across Hong Kong and Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

SCB Julius Baer is targeting a five-year revenue shift, transitioning Thai clients from tactical trading and single equities into recurring fee-based managed solutions, aiming to reduce its reliance on transaction fees. “Historically, Thai clients have favoured tactical trading and single equities, making the portfolios and the firm’s growth highly market-dependent. We are actively working to shift this trajectory toward managed […]

The post Trading out, managed solutions in — SCB Julius Baer’s Thailand plan appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

CIMB Bank Berhad has launched a dedicated private wealth offering aimed at capturing a larger share of affluent clients across Southeast Asia. The Malaysian universal bank announced the launch of CIMB Private Wealth on Monday, which seeks to address the changing needs of clients through an advisory-led model built around curated wealth solutions, institutional-grade treasury and partner capabilities spanning both […]

The post CIMB launches wealth offering for affluent ASEAN clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank has made a senior appointment in Singapore for its Greater China franchise, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Jay See will join the British lender in August as a desk head for the offshore China market. See will report to Alex Liu, the bank’s market head for offshore China, sources told APB. HSBC Private Bank confirmed the appointment. […]

The post HSBC Private Bank hires ex-UBS banker to lead China desk in Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered Private Bank is stepping up its ultra high net worth (UHNW) push with a new executive development programme aimed at equipping senior relationship managers (RMs) with the skills to meet clients’ increasingly complex wealth and succession needs, Asian Private Banker has learnt. The emerging markets-focused lender recently collaborated with the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership on […]

The post StanChart PB trains senior RMs for the next era of UHNW wealth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior executive for client coverage at Bank of Singapore has resigned after over five years with the lender, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Vincent Chan, market head for Greater China, is leaving the bank, sources told APB. Bank of Singapore confirmed Chan’s resignation. APB has been unable to determine Chan’s next career move. Chan is a veteran banker […]

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Swiss private banks UBP and LGT have strengthened their Singapore teams with senior hires, Asian Private Banker has learnt. UBP has appointed Hoa Kong Kaan as managing director, senior investment advisor, while LGT has hired David Wang as managing director in Singapore, sources told APB. UBP confirmed Kaan’s appointment. He reports to Chaitanya Komaravalli, head of investment advisory for Southeast […]

The post Singapore: UBP hires from BoS, LGT adds UBS banker appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

What does restructuring in a private bank really mean? It is often presented as a sign of renewal. A way to become leaner, sharper and better prepared for the next phase of growth. Restructuring can help banks improve efficiency, refocus strategy and direct resources towards new opportunities. But in private banking, restructuring is never just about changing reporting lines. A […]

The post Bottom Line: New structures, new ambitions? Three private banks to watch!  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from L&G. Authored by: Ben Bennett, Chief Investment Strategist, Asia, L&G – Asset Management The global economy faces headwinds from elevated oil prices, but this has been more than offset by significant AI-related investment, which has sent global equity markets higher as profits soar.  If the Middle East conflict de-escalates and oil prices normalise, we […]

The post Bonds under pressure: Investing with sticky inflation and rising rates appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Uncertainty about the ongoing Middle East conflict and a desire for stability and investment opportunities are leading more Asian high net worth individuals to look towards Thailand as a haven to park their assets for the long term, wealth management leaders told Asian Private Banker. While hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore continue to attract HNW investors, the need […]

The post Thailand’s wealth appeal grows as UHNWIs seek new hubs appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior banker is leaving Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), Asian Private Banker has learnt.  Poramin Chantanusat, first senior vice president, high net worth and affluent segment at SCB, has resigned, sources told APB. SCB has been contacted for comment. APB has been unable to determine Chantanusat’s next move. Chantanusat has nearly two decades of experience in the financial industry. Prior to leading […]

The post Former private banking RM head resigns from Siam Commercial Bank appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks in Asia are gearing up to push further into alternative investments, with four in five firms planning to increase client allocations over the next year. This surge in demand is steering capital back toward hedge funds and liquid alternatives, which have emerged as the dominant sub-asset classes in Hong Kong and Singapore. While allocations to alternative investments in […]

The post APB Alts Barometer: 80% to increase alts allocations as hedge funds dominate appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Following the launch of its physical bullion-backed tokenised gold offering, DBS Bank is positioning its multi-channel precious metals suite to capture UHNW demand, recommending a 7% portfolio weight. Ongoing concerns over fiat currency debasement and prolonged geopolitical uncertainties continue to underpin gold demand, with each form of the precious metal having a “distinct and valuable” place in investors’ portfolios, James […]

The post DBS calls for 7% gold allocation amid fiat, geopolitical risks appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A good defence is built long before a crisis arrives. The same principle applies to wealth planning, according to Angie Han, head of wealth planning for South Asia at Pictet Wealth Management. Just as a defender aims to prevent a dangerous situation rather than react at the last moment, wealthy families should put structures in place before succession challenges, liquidity […]

The post “It’s like having a good defence”: Pictet WM’s Angie Han on future proofing family wealth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.