As the next phase of the AI cycle broadens beyond the familiar mega-cap names into infrastructure, energy and natural resources, Citi Wealth believes returns are more likely to be driven by savvy allocation decisions than by broad market beta. “The ‘Goldilocks’ phase is increasingly fragile. With sticky inflation, limited rate-cut flexibility and elevated fiscal pressures, we expect a more volatile […]

The post Citi Wealth sees allocation-driven returns in the next phase of AI cycle appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks are expanding their platforms for trading physical gold, driven by growing demand from private wealth clients. Meanwhile, Singapore looks to position itself as a precious metals hub. Last week, DBS Bank announced it would allow clients to trade tokenised gold backed by physical bullion on its platform, while Bank of Singapore said it was introducing the option for […]

The post Gold rush 2.0? Private banks double down on bullion as Singapore builds hub appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Thai investors are increasingly abandoning their traditional home bias in favour of global private markets, aggressively ramping up their exposure to alternative assets as domestic returns fail to keep pace with inflation, industry leaders shared at Asian Private Banker’s Thailand Global Wealth Summit 2026. Thai investors’ appetite for alternatives has grown sharply, with allocations rising from under 5% in 2021 […]

The post SCB Julius Baer, DBS: Thai investors ditch home bias as appetite for alts grows appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM) has made a raft of senior hires from rival banks to strengthen its Hong Kong team. Amanda Yeung has been appointed as a managing director and team head, according to a statement on Thursday. Yeung has over 25 years of wealth management experience. She joins RBC WM from China Construction Bank (Asia), where she was […]

The post RBC WM boosts Hong Kong bench with senior hires from rivals appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Cathay United Bank(CUB) has made a senior appointment to strengthen its private banking team in Hong Kong, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Maggie Lau recently joined the bank’s Hong Kong Branch as head of sales for private banking. Her licence with the bank, registered on the HKMA website, took effect in late April. CUB has been contacted for comment. Lau has more […]

The post Cathay United Bank hires ex-Credit Suisse banker in Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management (BNP Paribas WM) is challenging the early movers in the donor-advised fund (DAF) space, betting its own zero-fee platform will reframe philanthropy as a commercial driver for relationship managers. “Senior management sees the commitment across both sides of the pond to build up philanthropy capability. They wanted me to examine the landscape carefully, talk to the […]

The post BNP Paribas WM bets on zero-fee DAF to drive client stickiness in Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A sharp retreat in foreign venture capital and chronic rupee depreciation are driving India’s ultra high net worth families to pivot inward, funnelling massive domestic liquidity into private equity and private credit to capture elusive double-digit returns. “While well established in the West, this (private markets) is something that is growing in leaps and bounds in India,” Manoj Shenoy, co-founder […]

The post Indian UHNWs pile into private markets as foreign VC retreats appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UBS Global Wealth Management (UBS GWM) has appointed a new Australian market team head from local investment firm JBWere to strengthen its regional offering. Effective 13 July 2026, Damian Robinson will join UBS GWM Australia as a market team head. Robinson will be based in Sydney and report to Andrew Bird, head of GWM Australia, according to an internal memo […]

The post UBS GWM expands Australia bench with market team head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A surge in Taiwanese private wealth, driven by AI-driven equity market gains and a push to repatriate offshore wealth, is triggering a fiercely competitive talent war for rare top private banking talent. This talent crunch, coupled with the growth in onshore-booked capital, is also narrowing the gap between onshore Taiwan and traditional wealth management hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore […]

The post Private banks in Taiwan race for RM talent as onshore wealth swells appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The growth of multi-jurisdiction family offices is complicating wealth planning matters for Asia’s ultra high net worth families, exposing them to heightened risk, ranging from matrimonial laws to migration to tax, and could ultimately threaten the stability of the family unit if not tackled head-on. “As families become more global, the jurisdictions that they have connections with become more diversified. […]

The post Global ambitions demand better governance, says DBS PB appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

KGI Securities Thailand has made a senior hire to strengthen its wealth business, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Bangkok, Theeraphat Buakai has been appointed as head of sales for KGI Private Wealth, the firm’s private wealth arm. He will report to Charn Phenjati, head of wealth management. KGI Securities has been contacted for comment. Buakai has over 15 […]

The post KGI Securities Thailand makes senior hire for wealth business appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UOB Private Bank (UOB PB) has hired a former senior executive from Bank of Singapore to strengthen its talent bench. Based in Singapore, Dennis Hong will join UOB PB as a regional market head for Greater China and North Asia, effective September 2026. He will report to Chew Mun Yew, head of UOB Private Bank, according to a statement on Monday. In his […]

The post UOB Private Bank hires former BoS exec as regional market head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered Private Bank is expanding its ultra high net worth (UHNW) platform, with Greater China relationship manager (RM) headcount on track to rise by 25% to 30% this year. Peter Tung told Asian Private Banker that a counter-cyclical hiring strategy initiated during the 2022 market downturn has helped the bank attract talent from rival institutions as it seeks to […]

The post StanChart PB’s Peter Tung on track for 30% RM headcount growth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

While Southeast Asia’s emerging wealth markets have historically been driven by transactional brokerage and advisory trading, a structural shift is underway. According to Abhishek Mehrotra, HSBC Private Bank’s market head of Southeast Asia international, younger wealth generators across Thailand and the Philippines are pivoting toward discretionary mandates and alternative investments – fundamentally altering how international lenders scale their operations in […]

The post HSBC PB targets ASEAN growth with discretionary mandates appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) revised framework for single-family offices (SFOs) came into effect on 15 June 2026, introducing a simplified regulatory regime designed to make it easier for wealthy families to establish operations in the city-state while enhancing regulatory oversight. Under the revised framework, qualifying SFOs can benefit from a class exemption from licensing requirements regardless of their […]

The post Singapore’s streamlined framework for single family offices kicks in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

For years, the assumption was simple. The easier it was to move money across borders, the more wealth a financial centre would attract. That equation is starting to change. China is the clearest example. Its private banking sector is still expanding rapidly, with record assets and rising numbers of wealthy clients, according to Asian Private Banker’s latest China AUM League […]

The post Bottom Line: Cross-border wealth just got complicated — or just better controlled? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from CICC. On 28 May 2026, CICC successfully held the CICC 2026 London Wealth Management Forum in London, the UK. Centred on the theme “Bridging and Transcending,” the forum brought over 200 representatives from various sectors to engage in in-depth discussions on global economic developments, China-UK economic and financial cooperation, and multi-asset allocation, focusing on […]

The post CICC 2026 London Wealth Management Forum successfully held appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Neuberger. A shifting rate environment and narrowing margins for error are raising the bar for fixed income investors and rewarding those with the breadth and skill to navigate it. The question facing allocators is no longer whether to own bonds, but which ones to own and which to avoid.  The easy gains are behind […]

The post In fixed income, precision is now the alpha appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Swiss-Asia Financial Services. Wealth management is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Is a private bank still the best place to manage wealth today? This is no longer a fringe concern; it is central to the industry’s future. The great wealth transfer and technological shift Private wealth management has arrived at a crossroads with one of […]

The post Are modern brokers the new private bank? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from M&G Investments. With a long track record of award-winning performance, Richard Woolnough, Fund Manager, Fixed income at M&G Investments, shares the thinking behind the Optimal Income strategy. “They are contrarian views, but they’re not taken because we’re contrarian. They’re taken because we believe they’re right.” Richard reflects on what it takes to hold conviction […]

The post Income investing has a new home: M&G Investments on the award-winning Optimal Income strategy appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Driven by a 50% year-over-year surge in structured products revenue during a blockbuster 2025, RBC Wealth Management is betting on “idea generation” to retain its competitive edge, Kin Lok Lee, head of structured products, Asia, told Asian Private Banker. Yet, even those heights look modest compared to the current momentum. Just five months into 2026, year-to-date inflows are already on […]

The post RBC WM sharpens “idea generation” edge as structured product revenues surge 50% appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Lengthy client onboarding processes in Singapore are inadvertently giving private banks an edge in retaining top relationship managers (RMs), as compliance-driven delays slow the transfer of client books to external asset managers (EAMs), according to Michel Keiser, CEO of Marcuard Heritage Singapore. As onboarding timelines stretch from weeks to months due to source-of-wealth (SOW) and enhanced due diligence checks, clients […]

The post Singapore’s compliance jam is helping private banks retain top RMs – US$5.5bn EAM CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s crackdown on offshore brokerages will see wealthy Chinese families increasingly resort to alternative channels, such as e-commerce, to move wealth offshore, Justin Choy, chief investment officer and responsible officer at Youxfort Family Office, told Asian Private Banker. “Currently, for Chinese high net worth individuals, the most difficult challenge is figuring out how to move their wealth outside of mainland […]

The post How China’s UHNWs are navigating capital controls amid brokerage crackdown appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Despite years of liberalisation and market hype, a significant portion of Thai wealth remains stubbornly localised. The latest Asian Private Banker Thailand Global Wealth Summit Survey reveals that nearly 30% of Thai high net worth (HNW) portfolios still carry 10% or less offshore exposure. This local concentration gives global private banks a prime runway to target these clients directly via […]

The post Are Thai HNWIs slow to go offshore? APB survey finds appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore has expanded the remit of its chief investment officer (CIO) amid a broader change to its leadership structure, Asian Private Banker has learnt. In addition to her current responsibilities as global CIO, Jean Chia will assume the interim role of global head of investment & wealth solutions, a new pillar that integrates the bank’s investment solutions group with […]

The post Bank of Singapore expands CIO’s role amid leadership restructure appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

DBS is set to expand its digital gold offering, with high net worth investors and institutional partners on its DBS Digital Exchange expected to soon gain access to tokenised physical gold. The move extends a service that will be made available to retail customers via DBS digibank in the second half of the year, the bank said on Thursday. The […]

The post DBS expands bullion offering with physical gold token appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The private banking industry is quietly retiring one of its favourite marketing buzzwords. Conceding that the phrase “semi-liquid” anchors clients in a false sense of daily liquidity, private banks are slowly phasing the term out of their vocabulary and instead shifting toward a language of “intellectual honesty,” thereby forcing transparent, mandatory conversations about illiquidity, suitability and long-term investing. “The volume […]

The post The term “semi-liquid” is now used less often, private banks say appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore has relocated a veteran banker from Singapore to Dubai to drive the bank’s business in the Middle East. Effective 1 July 2026, Lim Leong Guan (林良源) will assume the role of head of private banking for the Middle East, South Asia & international. Based in Dubai, he will also be chief executive of the Dubai International Financial […]

The post Bank of Singapore appoints private banking head for Middle East, South Asia & int’l appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Boutique financial services firm Klay Group has appointed a wealth planning expert from EFG.  Based in Singapore, Rohit Ganguli has been appointed as group head of wealth planning, according to a statement released today.  Ganguli will work closely with ultra high net worth individuals and families to deliver tailor-made wealth planning solutions across succession planning, family governance, tax, insurance, pensions […]

The post Ex-EFG Asia head of wealth planning joins Klay Group  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, and while 48 teams across the US, Canada and Mexico compete for football’s biggest prize, investors are focused on a different scoreboard: the billions of dollars in economic activity expected to be generated by the largest tournament in history. This year’s competition will feature 104 matches, up from 64 previously, and […]

The post World Cup 2026: DBS, UBS, Deutsche Bank map the money play appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Today’s US$5 million client could be tomorrow’s US$50 million client, and that simple idea is driving a strategic shift at UBS. While ultra high net worth (UHNW) clients continue to anchor asset growth, UBS sees its next phase of expansion in better capturing and scaling engagement within the broader high net worth (HNW) universe. At UBS, HNW clients are defined […]

The post UBS targets Asia HNW growth with Adeline Chien at the helm appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior executive at Bank of Singapore is set to leave the lender, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Dennis Hong, a market group head at the bank, is departing, sources told APB. Bank of Singapore confirmed Hong’s resignation. APB has been unable to determine Hong’s next career move. Hong has more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry. He […]

The post Bank of Singapore loses Asia Pacific market group head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank has launched HSBC Access, a new offering aimed at ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) and family offices, giving eligible clients access to selected venture capital funds, private market opportunities and technology investments sourced across the bank. The platform combines investment opportunities, market insights and networking events focused on technology and innovation sectors. For the first time, […]

The post HSBC Private Bank brings innovation banking deal flow to wealthy clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Mainland China’s private banking sector has scaled an unprecedented new peak, with aggregate assets under management (AUM) for the top 20 players climbing 13% year-on-year to reach RMB 29.7 trillion (US$4.4 trillion) in 2025. According to Asian Private Banker’s latest China League Tables, this asset surge coincides with a historic expansion of the country’s high net worth (HNW) demographic, which […]

The post China 2025 AUM League Tables: Top 20 hit US$4.4tn as HNW client count crosses 2mn appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

AXA Group has launched a unified platform targeting Asia’s wealth families, offering specialised lifestyle coverage which includes kidnap and ransom protection. The unified platform, called AXA Global Private (AGP), will serve as a centralised gateway offering multi-jurisdictional wealth planning and lifestyle protection for affluent clients with complex financial needs, the Paris-headquartered insurer announced on Monday.  “For the first time in […]

The post AXA rolls out kidnap, ransom protection in new offering for Asia’s wealthy appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore will soon enable its high net worth and ultra high net worth clients to buy, sell and store physical gold in a Singapore-based vault, expanding its precious metals offering as demand for bullion surges. The new service, available from 10 June 2026 under parent group OCBC, will also be extended to institutional clients, according to a statement […]

The post Bank of Singapore adds bullion trading and storage for clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management (BNP Paribas WM) has hired from UBS to strengthen its advisory capabilities in Taiwan, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Taipei, Hiko Lee has been appointed as head of investment counselling for Taiwan, effective 8 June 2026, according to an internal memo seen by APB. Lee will be responsible for developing and implementing the bank’s […]

The post BNP Paribas WM hires UBS talent for Taiwan push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Chinese mainland customers can still open bank accounts in Hong Kong “smoothly” as lenders implement new regulatory requirements, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said on Saturday. “The banking industry has implemented the new regulatory requirements set out in the HKMA circular to ensure the account opening process is compliant and orderly,” a spokesperson for the HKMA said. “Chinese mainland […]

The post HKMA: Mainland account openings in Hong Kong unaffected by new rules appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Another week, another sign that the economics of wealth management are under strain. This time, we take a look at fee compression and the uncomfortable reality it is creating. Fee pressure on external asset managers in Asia is no longer a short-term issue. It is becoming a long-term shift in how the industry makes money. On the surface, nothing looks […]

The post Bottom Line: Costs or fees? The margin problem no one can ignore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from M&G Investments. Following multiple industry awards, Richard Ryan, co-head of fundamental fixed income at M&G Investments, discussed the approach behind his award-winning Total Return Credit Investment strategy. “You have to do things differently to the rest of the market if you want to outperform. Do we get paid to own that risk?” Richard shares […]

The post Income investing has a new home: M&G Investments on the award-winning Total Return Credit Investment strategy appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore’s Yazid Mahadi is ramping up the development of the bank’s hedge fund shelf under his expanded mandate for the business unit, he told Asian Private Banker. The bank’s increased focus on hedge funds comes amid potential tailwinds. The asset class struggled in recent years to add value in a market dominated by an easy beta rally, but […]

The post Bank of Singapore expands hedge fund shelf as selector sees turning point appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

RBC Wealth Management is tapping rising demand for complex cross-border wealth planning, supported by its bank-owned trust infrastructure, as it expands in Asia’s wealth market. The Canadian wealth manager was among the most active hirers in Asia in 2025, with higher RM headcount and redesigned team structures that place greater accountability on team leaders. “If we drill down to wealth, […]

The post RBC WM grows RM ranks in Asia — scale or shift to advice-led banking? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In a bold departure from its previous focus on South and Southeast Asia, Liechtenstein pure-play LGT raided Chinese securities firm China Merchants Bank International (CMBI) for a team of private wealth professionals in Hong Kong last month. The move underscores an intensifying Asian talent war, in which global firms are increasingly hunting within Chinese institutions to secure critical onshore experience. […]

The post Movers & Shakers: LGT’s CMBI raid signals intensifying battle for Greater China talent appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Structured products have gained significant momentum among Asia’s wealthy, fuelled by industry automation that enables relationship managers and clients to trade flow products more seamlessly alongside increased client education. Demand has risen sharply over the past few years as investors navigated a difficult fixed-income market and aggressive interest rate hikes. While fixed-income notes remain highly popular for locking in yields, […]

The post Arta Finance undercuts private banks with low-fee structured products appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A massive intergenerational wealth transfer in China is fundamentally altering the wealth-planning landscape, as globally educated, next-gen heirs increasingly bypass traditional family generalists in favour of institutional-grade, specialised advisors, according to Union Bancaire Privée (UBP). Previously, Chinese clients were guarded, often gathering fragmented information from different sources for wealth planning in the past, observed Nelson Hon, senior wealth planner for North […]

The post China’s next-gen heirs driving shift to specialised advisors, says UBP appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As international wealth giants race to capture Thailand’s fast-expanding wealth market, a critical bottleneck has emerged at the “last mile” of execution. Speaking at Asian Private Banker’s Thailand Global Wealth Summit 2026, regional leaders warned that having sophisticated global platforms is not enough; success now hinges on highly trained, onshore relationship managers (RMs) capable of translating complex offshore strategies into […]

The post Thailand’s “last mile”: SCB Julius Baer, HSBC PB, BNP Paribas scale up onshore RM talent appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks must take it upon themselves to be as transparent as possible about client fees or risk losing more high net worth clients to external asset managers (EAMs), Harry Pang, founding partner of Fountainhead Partners, told Asian Private Banker. “Most clients hold bank accounts, yet have little idea how much the bank truly earns. They remain largely in the […]

The post “True transparency is rare”: Fountainhead Partners rebukes advisory fee model appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM) has hired two senior bankers from rivals to strengthen its South Asia coverage, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Singapore, Sudarshan Athreya has joined the Canadian bank as a managing director and senior relationship manager covering the ultra high net worth segment for South Asia. Meanwhile, Sandesh Assao has joined the bank as an […]

The post RBC WM hires from BoS, BNP Paribas WM for South Asia coverage appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In Taiwan’s burgeoning private banking scene, the most valuable currency isn’t just capital — it’s the relationship manager (RM).  As a late surge of local banks rushes to establish private banking arms, a bidding war has erupted for top-tier talent. While some competitors engage in a costly game of musical chairs, Cathay United Bank is bypassing the aggressive poaching wars. […]

The post Cathay United Bank bets on internal talent to dodge RM pay war appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the private credit boom is hitting a major speed bump, the ripples are being felt from Wall Street to Asia. The private credit slowdown intensified sharply in April as US Business Development Company (BDC) fundraising plunged to its lowest monthly total since mid-2023. According to Robert A. Stanger & Company, a consecutive monthly slide has dragged year-to-date inflows down […]

The post Wealth investors eye infra rotation as private credit pullback deepens appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

While Asia’s tier-one private banks celebrate double-digit surges in wealth management fee income, the region’s external asset managers (EAMs) are facing a brutal reality check. Caught between rising operational and talent costs in premium hubs like Singapore and client demands for fee concessions, independent players are finding their profit margins squeezed. To survive, many are taking the fight directly to […]

The post Rising costs, falling fees — Is Asia’s EAM model under pressure? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A series of bruising market sell-offs in recent years has triggered a fundamental behavioural shift among Asia Pacific’s ultra-wealthy, driving record inflows into discretionary portfolio management (DPM). At UBS Global Wealth Management (UBS GWM), this momentum has propelled regional DPM assets to nearly US$100 billion, as clients increasingly abandon self-directed trading in favour of institutional-grade risk management amid persistent geopolitical […]

The post UBS hits record DPM growth in Asia as volatility drives adoption appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks have been known to train their relationship managers (RMs) in all manner of things — from fine art, whiskey and wine — to understand and meet the needs of their wealthy clients. But what if this is all misguided, and RMs should really be trained in the arts of yoga, mindfulness and meditation? To get into the minds […]

The post “Longevity and mindfulness” now define modern Indian wealth — Kotak’s lux index appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Cathay United Bank Private Banking (CUBPB) has become the first private bank in Taiwan to go live on BlackRock’s Aladdin Wealth as the wealth management industry rushes to digitise its services to keep pace with growing demand. Combined with a recently completed core system upgrade, the implementation is expected to strengthen the bank’s advisory capabilities and deliver a better client […]

The post Cathay United Bank taps BlackRock’s Aladdin Wealth in digital push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Last week, the Asian Private Banker team was in Bangkok to host the third annual Thailand Global Wealth Summit, an event that has evolved from a half-day gathering into a full-day forum, reflecting how quickly Thailand’s wealth landscape is deepening and becoming more sophisticated. Bringing together private bankers from both international and local institutions, the discussions went beyond comparing business […]

The post Bottom Line: Global vs local private banks in Thailand: Or something else entirely? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Numerix. In today’s fragmented and fast-moving global environment, capital is rarely static. Periods of geopolitical tension, macroeconomic uncertainty, and divergent monetary policy paths are prompting investors to reassess their allocations more frequently. Recent data highlights this trend: foreign inflows into Asian bonds climbed to a six-month high in November, according to Reuters, underscoring renewed […]

The post Why global capital is rebalancing toward APAC — and what it means for risk appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) more than doubled its net new money (NNM) in North Asia for 2025 while capturing surging brokerage and wealth planning revenues, North Asia region head and Hong Kong CEO Teresa Lee told Asian Private Banker. Revenue for the North Asia business grew nearly 15% yoy in Swiss franc terms, driven by brokerage fees — which accounted […]

The post UBP doubles North Asia NNM as brokerage and wealth planning surge appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Citi Private Bank has promoted a managing director to a market executive role. Sarah Courtney Dockett has been named market executive for the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand at Citi PB, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Dockett joined Citi PB in 2011 and brings more than 25 years of experience in ultra high net worth client advisory, franchise development and strategic […]

The post Citi PB names market executive for Philippines, Australia, New Zealand appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Onshore Thailand client portfolios have shifted toward global and alternative investments, prompting private banks to expand their offerings and strengthen relationships with global managers to meet rising demand. Speaking at Asian Private Banker‘s Thailand Global Wealth Summit 2026, with over 150 attendees, leaders in Thailand’s private banking space focused their discussion on the evolution of the typical private banking client […]

The post Thai private banks race to meet demand for global, alts investments appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Mainland China’s wealthy investors are recalibrating their global market exposure and becoming increasingly selective regarding hedge fund strategies amid volatility, Chinese private bankers told Asian Private Banker. Despite expectations that the US$7 trillion in maturing mainland time deposits would trigger a massive shift into higher-yield investment products, senior Chinese private banking executives said that this wall of liquidity remains sidelined […]

The post China’s private banking clients pivot to hedge funds amid volatility appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

By leveraging its billionaire backing and a principal-led model that rejects traditional transaction fees, Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai & Co. is targeting ultra high net worth families that want institutional-grade alternative co-investments but lack the internal headcount to source them alone. The Hong Kong-listed firm managed HK$24.6 billion (~US$3.2 billion) in 2025, with its principal capital drawn from its […]

The post SHK & Co. bets on alignment over fees to win Asia’s ultra-wealthy appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Raffles Family Office has hired two wealth planning heads for Greater China and Southeast Asia.  Based in Hong Kong, Daniel Lai has joined the US$2 billion AUM multi-family office firm as an executive director, head of wealth planning, Greater China. Lai began his role today, according to an internal memo seen by Asian Private Banker. He will focus on cross-border […]

The post Raffles Family Office hires wealth planning heads in Hong Kong, Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s persistent real estate market slump is pushing wealthy Chinese individuals to demand liquidity like never before, Benny Chong, chairman of VMS Group, told Asian Private Banker. This, coupled with the nation’s weaker economy, ongoing US-China trade tensions, and the Middle East conflict, has made high net worth Chinese investors more risk-averse. It also underscores why family office firms must […]

The post Hong Kong MFO shifts to liquid alts amid UHNW liquidity push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Indosuez Wealth Management sees a favourable window of opportunity for clients to add ASEAN exposure amid supply chain migration. The bank’s clients have ridden the strong momentum in the US equity market, which currently accounts for the majority of their equity portfolios, according to Francis Tan, chief strategist for Asia at Indosuez Wealth Management. In his view, while US stocks […]

The post Indosuez WM cuts US equity bets as ASEAN supply chain gains momentum appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed and oil prices remain elevated, the Middle East conflict has exposed the fragility of the global energy supply. The tensions also underline how renewable energy infrastructure and specifically private capital could address such crises, says David Chang, managing director, head of Asia wealth at Macquarie Asset Management. “It is a simple demand‑and‑supply […]

The post Private capital key to closing US$106tn infra gap, says Macquarie wealth head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Bank has made a senior appointment to its private banking business, Asian Private Banker has learnt Effective 1 June 2026, Eric Li will assume the role of market head for Hang Seng Private Banking, reporting to Theodore Mak, head of retail distribution at Hang Seng Bank, according to an internal announcement seen by APB. In response […]

The post Hang Seng Private Banking appoints HSBC veteran as market head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Deutsche Bank Private Bank (Deutsche Bank PB) has hired a former Julius Baer banker to strengthen its Southeast Asia coverage, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Siang Jin Foo has joined the German lender as a team lead in its Southeast Asia team, reporting to Esther Wong, Southeast Asia Market Head and Head of Institutional Wealth Management. Deutsche Bank PB confirmed […]

The post Deutsche Bank PB taps ex-Julius Baer banker to boost SEA coverage appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore’s move to shorten private bank account opening times from around six weeks to four is a positive development for the industry. As a leading wealth management hub and key booking centre alongside Hong Kong and Dubai, Singapore plays an important role for private banks serving global and ultra high net worth clients. Faster onboarding can improve client experience and […]

The post Singapore speeds up private bank onboarding — but can scrutiny keep pace? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

With the era of easy beta from passive equities drawing to a close, North Asian investors are being urged to see market volatility as an asset class rather than a systemic threat to their portfolios. Cora Chiu, Deutsche Bank Private Bank’s North Asia investment head, told Asian Private Banker that the German lender is leveraging cross-asset hedging and active alpha […]

The post Is volatility the new alpha? Deutsche Bank PB says yes appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The Carlyle Group has set its sights beyond the traditional wealth hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore, identifying Taiwan and Thailand as key regional growth targets for 2026, according to Brad McCarthy, head of Asia Pacific for Carlyle Global Wealth.  “In Taiwan, we see a regulatory tailwind driven by a desire to develop the onshore market — one we are […]

The post Carlyle eyes Taiwan and Thailand for 2026 expansion appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A veteran senior executive at Bank of Singapore is set to depart the lender after a tenure spanning nearly 19 years, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Rodney Sin, who is currently vice chair for ultra high net worth client coverage, is retiring from the bank, sources familiar with the matter told APB. Bank of Singapore confirmed Sin’s retirement. “We would […]

The post Bank of Singapore vice chair for UHNW coverage Rodney Sin retires appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Since the start of the year, the private banking industry in Singapore and Hong Kong has recorded more than 150 senior executive departures, according to Asian Private Banker data. Many of these exits involve senior bankers and investment specialists moving directly to rival firms or transitioning into asset management roles. That marks a sharp increase from the same period last […]

The post Bottom Line: Over 150 senior exits — is ‘retention’ private banking’s weak spot? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

More stringent regulatory compliance checks are stretching account opening times for North Asian clients in Singapore to upwards of six months, yet independent wealth managers report that capital inflows show no signs of slowing. Compliance requirements such as know-your-customer (KYC) and supporting documentation, for example, can appear especially frustrating for first-generation wealth owners, Vincent Ming, co-founder of Azura Partners, told […]

The post Singapore tightens KYC, yet wealthy Chinese capital shows no retreat appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank has made a senior appointment to its onshore business in Taiwan as the bank looks to strengthen its Greater China franchise. Effective 1 June 2026, Edward Chiu will assume the role of onshore Taiwan market head, according to a statement on Friday. In his new role, Chiu will lead the onshore private banking business in Taiwan, working […]

The post HSBC Private Bank appoints onshore Taiwan market head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian Private Banker honoured the winners of the Technology Awards 2025 at a celebratory event today, recognising the firms driving innovation in the region’s private banking and wealth management space. As wealth management undergoes rapid transformation in Asia, this year’s winners were chosen for their efforts to modernise platforms, reduce operational friction, and prioritise the client experience. With categories such […]

The post Asian Private Banker recognises digital leadership at 2025 Technology Awards appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Imagine an important client representing a substantial family office calls. They want a structured product, a tailored bet on a few shares they follow, built to pay more than cash if those shares hold firm or rise in value. Not so long ago, finding the structured product that matched a client’s precise needs was a headache. An RM might spend […]

The post In structured products, FinIQ wants AI to say “this is the trade” appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Maybank Securities Thailand has appointed a veteran private wealth executive to strengthen its wealth management business amid intensifying competition for Thai high net worth clients. Vasin Sukwatwibul was named managing director and head of wealth management, according to a company announcement. He will oversee the firm’s wealth management business and drive its growth strategy in the segment. Sukwatwibul brings more than […]

The post Maybank Thailand hires wealth management head from Kiatnakin Phatra appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In the summer of 2015, as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index surged 60% in a liquidity-fuelled “junk rally,” Anthony Wong found himself in a rare position for a long-only fund manager: he was lagging behind. Wong was referring to the 2015 A-share frenzy, when RMB 2.2 trillion (US$354 billion) in margin debt with brokerages fuelled a 150% market surge in […]

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LGT has hired several former private wealth professionals at China Merchant Bank International (CMBI) in Hong Kong, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Liu Jihu, Yang Peng, Dong Ting, and Li Yipan have recently joined the Liechtensteinian boutique private bank, sources told APB. Their HKMA licenses with LGT took effect recently. LGT declined to comment when contacted by APB. APB has […]

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As women assume central roles in family wealth succession in China, HSBC Private Bank is sharpening its focus on this strategic client base, which has traditionally been underserved by the wealth industry. “These women are not passive beneficiaries; they are active decision-makers who demand clarity, structure, and real-world execution,” said Edith Wong, head of the southern region for the private […]

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Independent wealth managers in Australia have been propelled by the downsizing of wealth businesses at the country’s Big Four following findings of systemic misconduct in 2019. Since then, by targeting an underserved ‘forgotten middle’ of high net worth (HNW) clients, one such firm, Koda Capital, has amassed A$16.5 billion (US$11.9 billion) in AUM. When veteran operators Paul Heath, Steve Tucker […]

The post Koda Capital nets US$11.9bn as Australia’s HNWs look beyond Big Four appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM) has made a senior hire to strengthen its South Asia business, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Singapore, Abhijit Shetty has joined the Canadian bank as a managing director and team head for the global South Asia business. RBC WM confirmed the hire. Shetty has over two decades of experience in wealth management. He […]

The post RBC WM hires from StanChart to boost South Asia coverage appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Three decades ago, Paul Chua, now the head of family office and wealth advisory at Bank of Singapore, avoided the word “death” when consulting with clients. At the time, the subject was considered a conversational third rail in the world of private wealth. Today, that cultural barrier has largely dissolved. A shift is underway in the industry as high net […]

The post Bank of Singapore wealth planning hits record as insurance take-up doubles appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

J.P. Morgan Private Bank (J.P. Morgan PB) has promoted an internal talent to a senior investment management role, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Xinhui Su was appointed as head of portfolio solutions for Asia, reporting to Joshua Lewin, the bank’s head of investment strategy for Asia. J.P. Morgan PB confirmed Su’s appointment to APB. In the team, which was rebranded […]

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It’s Q1 results season, and while the usual financial metrics naturally take centre stage, one thing that caught my attention this time was the way private banks report net new assets (NNA) versus net new money (NNM). On the surface, it sounds straightforward. But the more you look into it, the clearer it becomes that these terms are both clear […]

The post Bottom Line: NNM or NNA? What counts as ‘new’ money appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Following a period of stagnation fuelled by the pandemic and a cooling Chinese market, private banks in Asia are resuming active hiring as wealth creation in the world’s second-largest economy regains momentum. However, competition for talent is also intensifying, with professionals with Mainland China experience in particular demand. Alongside increasingly competitive pay packages, banks are broadening their hiring criteria and […]

The post “China has been red hot”: Private banks in “high stakes talent war” for Mainland talent appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A desk head for the Taiwan offshore market has resigned from HSBC Private Bank, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Hong Kong-based Kendrick Lee is leaving the UK lender, according to sources familiar with the matter. HSBC declined to comment. Lee was part of the Taiwan offshore team under Eng Chien Chan, the former market head for Taiwan, who left HSBC Private […]

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UBS Global Wealth Management (GWM) has appointed a new head of advisory and sales in Australia to strengthen its footprint. Effective 1 July, Wayne Gordon has been named GWM Australia head of advisory and sales, UBS said in a statement on Friday. In his new role, Gordon will integrate the bank’s Australian business into its broader regional and global platform […]

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There is a growing demand from clients for bespoke structured solutions to serve as “core” components of their portfolios as the asset class witnesses a surge in volume, Rishabh Saksena, Julius Baer’s co-head of global asset class specialists, told Asian Private Banker. Asia’s structured products market surged in 2025 as equities claimed a 68% share of regional sales, according to […]

The post Bespoke structured products gaining traction in US$200bn market: Julius Baer’s Rishabh Saksena appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A former senior investment executive at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Asia has joined HSBC Asset Management (HSBC AM), Asian Private Banker has learnt. Hong Kong-based Yvonne Leung, who was most recently the US bank’s head of managed solutions for Asia, has taken up the role of head of multi-asset investment specialists for Asia at HSBC AM, sources told APB. In her new […]

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An increase in private wealth in Taiwan, underpinned by the booming semiconductor market, has prompted private banks to scramble to meet the growing demand for first-rate onshore wealth management, spurring many to kick-start their digitalisation efforts or fall behind their peers. The TAIEX, the main index of Taiwan’s stock exchange, is up 42% YTD, outperforming the S&P 500’s 9.2% YTD […]

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While several private banks have chosen to divest their trust businesses, Kotak Mahindra stuck to its guns in the belief that trusts would become the key vehicle for legacy planning in India’s growing wealth market. Kotak first unveiled a wealth management business in 2004. A year later, it established a dedicated trust business, Kotak Mahindra Trusteeship Services (KMTSL), and hired Gautami […]

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KGI has tapped a UBS veteran for a senior leadership post, marking the firm’s latest move to bolster its wealth management capabilities, Asian Private Banker has learnt.  Based in Hong Kong, Michelle Shi has been appointed as CIO and head of asset management at KGI. KGI has been approached by APB for comment. A seasoned investment professional with over 20 […]

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LGT has appointed a former Standard Chartered Thailand CEO to lead its wealth management business in the country. Effective 15 May 2026, Anchalee Bunsongsikul will take up the position of chief executive officer of LGT Securities (Thailand) Limited, according to a company release on Wednesday. She will also become a member of the LGT Private Banking’s Asia Pacific executive board. […]

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A wave of redemptions hitting private credit funds is being characterised not as a crisis, but as a healthy “moment of education” for the industry, according to Kristin Olson, Goldman Sachs’ global head of alternatives for wealth. While recent headlines have focused on a shift in sentiment within the asset class, Olson argues that the reality under the hood is […]

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Partners Group has tapped Bank of East Asia for its first Hong Kong distribution partnership, expanding its private wealth reach in the city. The partnership will give BEA’s wealth management and high-net-worth clients access to a selection of Partners Group’s private markets investments, according to a statement released on Tuesday. The collaboration comes as BEA looks to broaden its wealth […]

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A Hong Kong-based independent asset manager has appointed a new senior advisor to support its Middle East expansion. Chartwell Capital has appointed David Gibson-Moore as senior advisor, according to a statement released on Tuesday. He will work closely with the investment team to drive the IAM’s strategic expansion into the Middle East, provide strategic insights, and help capture investment opportunities. His appointment also […]

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With more next-generation family members in the Asia Pacific stepping into wealth management earlier, demand for professionalised advisory services is rising, with many also choosing to stay with the same wealth managers, according to new findings from UBS. The Global Next Generation Report shows that 72% of respondents in Asia Pacific prefer wealth managers and family offices to seek guidance on […]

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Taiwan’s wealth management industry is entering a new phase as rising geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory reforms and the rapid expansion of AI-related investments reshape how the island’s affluent investors allocate capital. Long known for parking wealth in dividend-paying stocks, real estate and U.S. assets, Taiwanese investors are increasingly looking offshore for diversification while embracing newer investment themes such as artificial intelligence […]

The post TGWS 2026: Taiwan’s wealthy rethink home bias in hunt for global alpha appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Deutsche Bank Private Bank has revamped its Asia FX advisory team with a new dual-head leadership structure and senior hires in Hong Kong, Asian Private Banker has learnt. The German lender has appointed Kent Lee as co-head of FX advisory alongside Divik Maheshwari. Both Lee and Maheshwari report to Gian-Maria Piccolo, head of investment management, emerging markets at Deutsche Bank Private Bank. According to an […]

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