Q1: How did the business perform in 2025, and what drove its growth over the past year? Looking ahead, what are your main priorities and strategic plans for 2026? 

Our performance across Asia in 2025 has been exceptionally strong, marked by double-digit revenue growth and a significant increase in net new investment assets. This was driven by our ability to provide clients with timely, sophisticated advice and solutions that helped them confidently navigate market volatility. Client acquisition was robust, fueled by new wealth creation and referrals from our ‘One Citi’ institutional network.

Looking to 2026, our priorities are consistent across the region: deepen our client relationships by delivering the full power of our One Citi platform, accelerate our digital transformation, and continue attracting top-tier talent to solidify our position as a leading global private bank in Asia. 

Q2: With artificial intelligence increasingly shaping the wealth industry, how has the firm leveraged technology and AI to transform processes and enhance value for both clients and the back office? What key technology upgrades were introduced in 2025, and what are your digital priorities for 2026 and beyond?

We view AI not as a replacement for advisors, but as a powerful tool for augmented intelligence. Our strategy is to empower our bankers and investment counsellors across Asia to deliver a higher standard of service. 

In 2025, we rolled out two game-changing tools: ‘AskWealth,’ our generative AI assistant providing teams with instant access to information; and ‘Advisor Insights,’ a platform delivering proactive, data-driven alerts on clients’ portfolios and market events. These tools are already enhancing productivity and allowing our advisors to focus on strategic, high-value conversations. 

Our digital priorities for 2026 are focused on three areas: further personalising the client digital experience with seamless onboarding and reporting, leveraging data analytics for hyper-personalised advice, and continuing to invest in our core platforms to drive pan-Asian efficiency and scalability.

Q3: The private banking industry saw a plethora of leadership and structural changes in 2025. Looking into 2026, what are your key priorities for attracting and retaining talent across the front, middle, and back office? Are there plans for new hires in key markets?

Talent is our most critical asset. Our priority is to be the undisputed employer of choice in Asian private banking. Our strategy is built on three pillars: providing a superior global platform, fostering a culture of excellence, and offering unparalleled career development. Top talent is attracted to a firm that invests in technology, provides access to a world-class product suite, and operates on a truly global scale. 

We are actively hiring and plan to increase our private banking headcount in 2026. Our focus is on strategic recruitment across all key Asian markets, including our wealth hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore, as well as high-potential onshore markets. We are seeking not only experienced relationship managers but also next-generation talent and specialists with deep knowledge of cross-border wealth dynamics and high-demand areas such as alternatives and family office advisory.