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.

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.

Macquarie Asset Management is drawing up a shortlist of distributors and strategic partners in Asia after the exclusive launch of its new infrastructure fund saw overwhelming demand from a global private bank. The official launch of the Macquarie Infrastructure Income Opportunities Fund took place in January 2026, with a global private bank secured as its exclusive anchor investor, followed by […]

The post Macquarie eyes wider Asian wealth distribution after infra fund sells out in hours appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

It was another week with alternatives firmly in focus at Asian Private Banker, as we hosted Alternatives Selection Nexus 2026 in Singapore and Hong Kong. Once again, wealth management leaders gathered to discuss an asset class that has become increasingly popular with private wealth clients.  But as several interesting themes emerged from the discussions, one question stood out – what […]

The post Bottom Line: Everyone wants alternatives. But who can deliver? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore is dismantling traditional asset silos in favour of a “whole portfolio approach” (WPA) adapted from institutional frameworks. The strategy treats client portfolios as unified ecosystems, evaluating trades by net impact on total risk rather than performance within individual asset classes. The move comes as macroeconomic shifts and AI disruption challenge traditional assumptions about portfolio construction. Underlining the […]

The post Bank of Singapore breaks asset-class silos with new “whole portfolio” approach appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Ultra high net worth (UHNW) investors in Asia are moving beyond chasing headline yields in private credit. With high base rates and tight spreads, wealthy clients are demanding deeper proof of downside protection, underwriting discipline, and default risk before locking up their capital. Speaking at Asian Private Banker’s Alternatives Solution Nexus 2026 in Singapore on Thursday, alternative market heads from […]

The post Private credit enters a ‘prove it’ era: Julius Baer, StanChart appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Ongoing macroeconomic headwinds and currency fluctuations are pushing the cost of a premium lifestyle to new heights, with Asia Pacific now playing host to half of the world’s ten most expensive cities. According to Julius Baer’s 2026 Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report, the cost of living a premium lifestyle, tracked by its lifestyle index, rose by 10.2%. Singapore retained its […]

The post Singapore tops, Bangkok joins rich cities club: Julius Baer study appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered has collaborated with BlackRock to bring the latter’s multi-asset capabilities to high net worth (HNW) clients. The bank announced on Monday that it has launched the Signature Select APAC Allocation Plus fund under its Variable Capital Company (VCC) platform, with BlackRock serving as the sub-manager. Designed as a comprehensive solution for investors seeking broad exposure to the Asia-Pacific region, the […]

The post StanChart partners BlackRock for VCC fund launch appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Islamic wealth management is increasingly attracting investors beyond the traditional Muslim client base, according to Maybank Private’s Alice Tan. While Islamic finance has long been associated with religious compliance, investors are increasingly recognising its broader investment philosophy, which emphasises real economic activity, stewardship and responsible long-term wealth creation and preservation, Tan, the bank’s head of wealth planning, said. “Our starting […]

The post Maybank Private’s Shariah fund draws over 70% non-Muslim inflows in Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered’s private banking arm has backed Wall Street’s new “MANGOS” tech trade, ramping up its allocation to 23% of its global tech portfolio. However, Deutsche Bank Private Bank is urging caution, warning that the acronym — which introduces unlisted heavyweights like Anthropic and OpenAI — should be treated as an analytical lens rather than a formal allocation bucket. MANGOS […]

The post StanChart, Deutsche Bank CIOs split on MANGOS tech trade 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 […]

The post US$6bn hedge fund eyes private bank alliances appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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 […]

The post Partners Group taps Bank of East Asia for Hong Kong wealth push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

After a weak 2023, Noah’s hedge fund inflows recovered to US$110 million in 2024 as investors shifted toward uncorrelated assets to reduce volatility. Momentum strengthened in 2025, with sales rising nearly fourfold to US$430 million. Carl Wong, Hong Kong chief executive officer of Olive Asset Management, Noah’s core platform for global asset allocation, expects the growth surge to carry into […]

The post Noah sees hedge fund sales surge as investors seek uncorrelated returns appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from BNP Paribas Asset Management. As Q2 2026 begins with ongoing volatility and the Middle East crisis remains unresolved, Vicky Browne, investment specialist in global aggregate and absolute return at BNP Paribas Asset Management (BNPP AM), explains why unconstrained absolute return bond strategies, which provide diversification, downside protection, and more stable returns across cycles, are […]

The post Why unconstrained bonds matter now for Asia’s wealth investors appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian high net worth individuals are moving away from more US-centric private credit in favour of more diversified European parallel lending strategies amid recent challenges that continue to spook investors exposed to the credit space, according to Gianpaolo Pellegrini, managing director, private markets, co-head of parallel lending at Muzinich & Co. “Given the uncertainty in the market and the historical […]

The post Muzinich: US private credit gates drive Asian HNWs to European parallel lending appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Robeco. Small caps offer distinct return drivers and remain under‑researched. Next‑gen quant is starting to unlock their potential. Small caps have very different return drivers from large caps, making them a powerful diversifier. Yet structurally, small caps remain one of the least efficiently researched parts of the global equity markets.  The NextGen evolution: What […]

The post 25+ years of quant investing at Robeco: Tapping into small-cap opportunities with AI and machine learning appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s wealth management industry is slowly pivoting from a long-standing obsession with individual products to the top-down advisory models standard in global hubs. HSBC’s 2022 launch of a dedicated China chief investment office (CIO) remains a rare outlier in a market only beginning to embrace the advisory-led approach. The onshore CIO office was designed to move beyond “back-end research” toward […]

The post HSBC built a China CIO in 2022 — now it’s driving the advisory shift appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Federated Hermes. The Asia ex-Japan region offers diverse macro opportunities, with valuation dispersions and structural growth shaping an attractive investment landscape. Asia ex-Japan is a region of contrasts: deep value in some markets, structural growth in others, and a wide dispersion of winners and losers. For the Federated Hermes Asia ex-Japan team, this complexity […]

The post Beyond the headlines: Where Federated Hermes sees real opportunity in the Asia ex-Japan region appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia-focused private equity firm Ocean Link has acquired a minority stake in independent wealth advisor Leo Wealth, according to a statement released yesterday.  The investment, which has received regulatory approval, will provide Leo Wealth with growth capital as it builds its cross-border fiduciary wealth management capabilities in Asia, focusing on advising high net worth clients and families across investments, cross-border […]

The post Asian private equity firm invests in IAM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from L&G. Authors:  A substantial proportion of today’s global fixed income market is shaped by investors who follow strict, rule-based frameworks. This includes some passive investors who replicate index performance without deviation, certain pension funds whose primary focus is liability matching rather than yield or spread considerations, and benchmark-aware investors who, despite adopting active strategies, […]

The post Reshaping returns: Unconstrained investing in the age of AI  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

For years, Southeast Asia’s wealth management landscape was defined by regional giants with broad multi-market footprints, while local players were often left competing in lower-margin, transactional segments. That hierarchy is now being challenged. In Thailand, Kiatnakin Phatra Securities (KKPS) has positioned itself at the centre of this shift, moving away from a long-standing “product-pushing” legacy toward building more sophisticated, high-conviction […]

The post Thailand’s Kiatnakin Phatra shakes off ‘product-push’ legacy in DPM pivot appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Rising salary expectations and a migration of talent to boutique firms are forcing asset managers to rethink retention as they compete for a slice of Asia’s expanding wealth market. In this market environment, some asset managers now feel that talent is both scarce and expensive, adding to the pressure to keep employees around for longer. “There’s a lot of musical […]

The post “Three-year hump”: Janus Henderson Asia CEO warns of “musical chairs” in frothy talent market appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia’s family offices are turning to discretionary portfolio management (DPM) to navigate the twin challenges of intergenerational wealth transfer and an increasingly volatile market, according to industry experts speaking recently Asian Private Banker’s DPM Leaders Conversation 2026. “Family offices are increasingly shifting from an opportunistic mindset into a more systematic mindset. I think that’s where DPM comes into place because […]

The post UBS, Lombard Odier: How DPM is bridging generational rifts appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Digital wealth platform Endowus is expanding its private markets push through a partnership with global energy infrastructure investor Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).  The tie-up grants wealthy investors in Hong Kong and Singapore an entry point into greenfield renewable energy projects as global spending in the sector is projected to top US$4 trillion by 2030, according to a release on Tuesday.   […]

The post Endowus, CIP open green energy access for wealthy investors in Singapore, Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As markets worldwide continue absorbing the impact brought on by the ongoing war in Iran, wealthy Asian investors should expect uncertainty ahead in the long term and adjust exposures in favour of less correlated assets sooner than later, said Peter Branner. “Volatility will remain, and for investors, it’s less about staying calm and more about staying alert, understanding these scenarios, […]

The post Aberdeen CIO on Iran: EM equities, infra debt hedge as gold loses shine appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from DNCA Investments, an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers. In this Q&A, François Collet, CIO of DNCA and portfolio manager of its flagship fixed income strategy, DNCA Alpha Bonds, discusses the impact of the Iran conflict on the global economy and fixed income markets and how his portfolios are positioned for the ensuing volatility. Has […]

The post Iran’s impact on markets: Where there is volatility, there is opportunity appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Is a DPM lead’s duty to protect clients by steering clear of what they cannot see, or to deliver outsized returns by mastering the complexities that frighten the broader market? This is the question that sparked a heated discussion by panellists at the Asian Private Banker DPM Leaders Conversation 2026 in Singapore.  For Bryan Goh, chief executive officer and chief […]

The post DPMLC 2026: Protect clients or chase returns? Tsao FO, Paragon Capital, Deutsche Bank weigh in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

LGT Capital Partners is seeing rising interest in endowment-style investing from Asia’s wealth management sector, citing its liquidity management and over 50% exposure to private markets from day one as a way to capture long-term opportunities. Historically, investors relied on the 60/40 model, assuming fixed income would provide a hedge. But 2022 proved there was nowhere to hide as traditional […]

The post Inside LGT Capital Partners’ US$24bn endowment-style playbook appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

With increasing conversations around discretionary portfolio management (DPM) as clients seek downside protection and allocations beyond conventional strategies, Asian Private Banker’s DPMLC Industry Pulse Survey shows that private banks in Hong Kong and Singapore report DPM penetration of 6–10%. Sixty-eight percent of participants plan to increase DPM penetration over the next 12 months, with outperformance against self-directed portfolios and family […]

The post DPM survey: Private banks eye bigger books, led by family offices and next-gen appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Erratic markets are making it increasingly difficult for advisory “DIY” clients to effectively manage their whole portfolios, panellists at the Asian Private Banker DPM Leaders Conversation 2026 in Singapore said. During the panel discussion, DPM mandate trends 2026: Navigating black swan events & lessons learned, Jia Hao Sng, head, CIO office mandate specialist, Singapore, at Julius Baer, commented that while […]

The post DPMLC 2026: Are erratic markets killing off advisory models in favour of DPM? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

BlackRock will integrate iCapital’s alternative investments technology platform with its Aladdin Wealth, seeking to streamline private-market investing for wealth managers. Under this new partnership, advisors can find alternative offerings on their firm’s product shelf, initiate subscriptions and redemptions, and track status updates alongside portfolio analytics, according to a statement on Thursday. They will benefit from a more streamlined experience that […]

The post BlackRock’s Aladdin partners with iCapital for alts investments appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the escalating conflict in the Middle East continues to rock global markets, wealth clients in Asia are seeking greater downside protection alongside performance, and allocations that capture growth beyond the US dollar, according to panellists at the Asian Private Banker DPM Leaders Conversation 2026 in Hong Kong. The panel discussion, DPM mandate trends 2026: Navigating black swan events & […]

The post DPMLC 2026: Black swan risks trigger client flight to non-USD mandates appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UBS Global Wealth Management (UBS GWM) is doubling down on a high-conviction bet on Chinese technology in 2026, forecasting a 20% earnings surge even as Beijing prepares to anchor national growth at its lowest level in over three decades, according to Tan Min Lan, head of the chief Investment office, APAC.   In a late-February email interview with Asian Private Banker, […]

The post UBS’s Tan Min Lan bets on 20% China tech rally amid Beijing slowdown appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

French private equity firm Ardian has deepened its presence in Asia Pacific’s private wealth space through a collaboration with fintech firm S64. Under the new partnership, the firms will launch the S64 Ardian Access Infrastructure Fund, an evergreen Australian Unit Trust, to provide Australia’s wealth management industry with access to Ardian’s infrastructure strategies, according to an announcement on Friday. The […]

The post Ardian unlocks infrastructure access for Australian private wealth in S64 tie-up appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The regional chief investment officer for South Asia Pacific at UBS Global Wealth Management will depart the Swiss bank, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Kelvin Tay will soon leave the bank after a two-decade-long tenure, sources told APB. UBS declined to comment. APB has been unable to determine Tay’s next career move. At UBS, Tay also served on the […]

The post UBS GWM regional CIO Kelvin Tay to depart appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As data centres trigger a surge in energy demand, EQT is making the case that infrastructure investments should transition from a “niche” allocation to a core holding in Asian private banking portfolios. Private banks, including the likes of Julius Baer, HSBC Private Bank, BNP Paribas Wealth Management, and UBP, have also picked up on this growing trend. BNP Paribas Wealth Management, for instance, […]

The post EQT bets on infrastructure as private wealth’s new “core” appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Capturing growth in 2026 requires wealth portfolios to decisively rotate away from US tech-heavy strategies toward Asian markets buoyed by domestic policy, fair valuations and a softening greenback, according to Eastspring Investments’ Vis Nayar. “The reality is that markets have done well, and Asian markets really powered ahead again in January. We’re seeing quite material outperformance from Asia from a […]

The post Eastspring CIO: Wealth portfolios shift to Asia as US tech dominance fades appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

When Shun Wei Ong stepped into his role as head of discretionary portfolio management (DPM) Singapore for Barclays Private Bank in June 2024, his orders were direct.  “The mandate that was given to me was short and crystal clear — to build an investment management hub in Singapore for Barclays Private Bank. It quickly became apparent that the opportunity was […]

The post Barclays pivots to Asia-centric DPM ahead of Singapore booking centre launch appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management (J.P. Morgan AM) is accelerating its efforts to capture growing opportunities in Taiwan’s exchange-traded fund (ETF) market, a key pillar of the local government’s ambition to position it as an Asian asset management hub. The US firm has expanded its local ETF lineup with the listing of an actively managed derivative-income ETF which invests in Taiwan […]

The post J.P. Morgan AM accelerates ETF push in Taiwan amid wealth boom appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Regional investment platform StashAway has expanded its alternative investment offerings with two new solutions for HNW investors. The new strategies aim to bring exposure to private tech companies and diversified hedge fund strategies, according to a statement released today.  The private tech strategy, called ‘The Unicorn Top 20’, tracks a rules-based Morningstar index exposed to late-stage private tech companies such […]

The post StashAway expands alts for HNWs with private tech, hedge funds appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As US valuations reach “rich” territory, Asian private banking clients are making a tactical rotation back to China. With US$7 trillion in mainland time deposits set to expire this year, wealth managers are bracing for a wall of liquidity that could cement China’s “new economy” as the primary performance engine for regional portfolios, asset managers told Asian Private Banker. “2025 […]

The post China’s “new economy” draws wealth clients away from US tech appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

On any given day, Bryan Goh finds himself having to strike a delicate balance. This careful balance, said the CEO and CIO of Singapore’s Tsao Family Office, lies between creating value for the benefit of the firm and its beneficiaries and deciding when to forgo income-generating opportunities because those investments are simply too unsustainable and decidedly harmful to the planet. […]

The post “It can be tempting”: Tsao Family Office on returns vs impact appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s art market stabilised in 2025, showing resilience even as a protracted real estate downturn and cooling consumer confidence weighed on the world’s second-largest economy, according to the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report 2026 released on Thursday.  While a recovery in domestic-led mainland auctions offset a contraction in the more internationally exposed Hong Kong hub, the region’s […]

The post UBS: China retains third spot in art market as US dominance grows appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Allspring Global Investments. Investors often assume that as they move between life stages, their portfolios must undergo a complete overhaul. During working years, the accumulation phase, an investor’s primary goal is growing wealth. In retirement, the decumulation phase, their focus shifts to generating a reliable income stream to fund daily life. What if investors […]

The post Equity income: Take it or leave it? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered CIO is taking a granular look at the potential winners and losers of the AI cycle, identifying labour-intensive sectors as particularly vulnerable to AI displacement, while utilities stand to gain from tailwinds. The emerging markets-focused lender has also revised its CapEx expectations for global AI upwards, from 40% to 54% growth, but believes there is no tech bubble […]

The post StanChart CIO warns: Labour-heavy sectors at risk as AI CapEx boom accelerates appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Allianz Global Investors (AllianzGI) has tapped a senior executive from Citigroup’s wealth arm to drive growth across its Asia business. Based in Hong Kong, Julie Koo will join the firm on 1 May 2026 as head of distribution for Asia Pacific. She will also become a member of AllianzGI’s executive committee, reporting to Tobias Pross, chief executive of Allianz Global Investors, according […]

The post Citi Wealth’s Julie Koo joins AllianzGI to lead Asia distribution appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

With private markets slowly but surely entering the mainstream, fund managers must be ready to navigate challenges involving evergreen fund structures, as well as the expectations of wealth investors when it comes to the illiquid nature of private assets, according to industry leaders at the Asian Private Banker Alternatives Investment Summit 2026 in Hong Kong and Singapore. These, among other […]

The post AIS 2026: Can private markets handle the mainstream? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The recent events in the Middle East may constitute the largest escalation in conflict in decades. But despite this, private banks, accustomed to volatile markets, are remaining calm, believing that disruption is likely to be only temporary, with trends such as AI capital expenditure more consequential in the long run. Attacks on Iran on 28 February 2026, led by the […]

The post Middle East shock fails to rattle private banks as CIOs hold firm appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

When Azim Premji was born in 1945, his hometown of Mumbai was called Bombay, India laboured under British rule, and the technology industry that would come to define his fortune at IT giant Wipro was barely visible on the horizon. Had he retired after building Wipro, Premji would likely be remembered as a disciplined and understated industrialist. Instead, he began […]

The post How this Indian family office built a US$33bn philanthropic endowment appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In short, yes—but is adoption reaching the levels private banks hope for, and what is driving this growth?  Demand for discretionary portfolio management (DPM) surged in 2025, with some private banks nearly doubling AUM as clients sought stability amid market volatility. Strong pipelines and resilient client appetite suggest momentum will continue into 2026, according to conversations with DPM heads in […]

The post Discretionary portfolio management — is it catching on? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management Asia (PWM Asia) has navigated a succession of market themes over the past few years, delivering consecutive double-digit growth in assets under management for its discretionary portfolio management (DPM) business despite heightened volatility. Speaking to Asian Private Banker, Wee‑Kiat Tan, CIO and head of DPM, said the bank tapped renewed interest in Japan in 2023 and […]

The post Morgan Stanley sees double-digit DPM growth — what’s driving it? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Amid rising demand from wealthy investors for liquidity and diversification in private markets, U.S. private equity firm HarbourVest Partners is accelerating its push into Asia’s private wealth segment, ramping up its secondary investment capabilities and evergreen fund offerings to capture growth. The move reflects a broader effort by global private equity managers to tap high-net-worth capital in the region, as the secondary […]

The post HarbourVest is rewiring its secondaries platform to win private banks appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealthy investors are showing measured but growing interest in Singapore’s Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), the S$6.5 billion (US$5.1 billion) initiative by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) aimed at revitalising the domestic stock market. Though still in its early stages, mandated asset managers have begun deploying capital, offering early signals of investor reception. Temasek-backed Fullerton Fund Management, which launched […]

The post Wealthy investors turn selective on MAS-backed Singapore equity drive appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

While private banking clients in Asia are becoming more aware of alternative investments, the latest Asian Private Banker Alternatives Investment Barometer shows that portfolios in Hong Kong and Singapore still allocate an average of 6–10% to the asset class. The survey found that 85% of participants plan to increase clients’ exposure to alternatives over the next 12 months, with hedge […]

The post APB Alts Barometer: Increasing alts, main barriers, do RMs understand? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

When StepStone Group first entered the private wealth space in 2019, the ambition was clear: narrow — if not eliminate — the long-standing pricing and access divide between retail and institutional investors. Under the direction of Bob Long, the firm’s private wealth unit was built around what was then an uncommon proposition — that retail investors should receive the same deal, at […]

The post StepStone private wealth CEO eyes Asia as unit hits US$15bn AUM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

DBS is leveraging its ‘One Bank’ capability to bring artificial intelligence (AI)-related investment opportunities in Asia to wealth clients. On Monday, the bank announced a three-year partnership with multi-asset investment platform Granite Asia to develop innovative investment and financing solutions, broaden access to capital and provide strategic support to high-growth Asian companies. The partnership kicked off with Granite Asia’s closing […]

The post DBS taps ‘One Bank’ to give wealth clients access to Asia’s AI investments appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered has boosted hedge fund offerings via its variable capital company (VCC) structure as clients seek diversification amid market volatility. In partnership with Seviora Capital, the emerging markets-focused lender has launched the Signature Select Seviora Titans Absolute Return (STAR) fund to provide exclusive access to a high‑conviction portfolio of best-in-class hedge fund managers, which are less accessible to investors, […]

The post StanChart brings hedge fund to HNW clients via VCC structure appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China Merchant Bank International (CMBI) has entered into an agreement with MA Financial Group (MA Financial) to offer UHNW individuals a private credit strategy that seeks to capture opportunities in Asia. The duo will jointly manage the MA CMBI APAC Credit Opportunities Fund, structured as a Cayman limited partnership. It focuses on senior secured leveraged loans to sponsor-backed corporate borrowers […]

The post CMBI teams up with private credit boutique to expand UHNW offering appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

With more than US$4 trillion in global assets under management, J.P. Morgan Asset Management is looking to Asia to power its next phase of growth – and it is betting that localisation, active ETFs, and private markets will be key to getting there. The global asset manager currently oversees around US$300 billion in Asia, or roughly 7.5% of its total AUM, but […]

The post J.P. Morgan AM APAC CEO banks on localisation, active ETFs and alternatives for growth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Last week, Asian Private Banker hosted over 600 senior wealth managers at our Alternative Investments Summit 2026 across Singapore and Hong Kong, expanding from what was previously a half-day event to now a full-day summit. Across both locations, one message stood out: alternative investing is no longer about access alone — it is about precision. With performance dispersion widening, private […]

The post Bottom Line: Full house at AIS 2026 as alts go from trendy to tactical appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian private banking clients have significantly increased their exposure to alternatives over the past year, yet many still remain highly concentrated in US and tech exposure, warned industry leaders at the Asian Private Banker Alternative Investments Summit 2026 Singapore. The panel discussion, Macro outlook of alternative investments: Innovations, potentials, new insights, delved into diversification within alts and how far Asia […]

The post AIS 2026 SG: Private banks flag concentration risk from heavy US, tech exposure appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

With performance dispersion widening in an increasingly uncertain world, very few alternative managers are now managing to meet the strict selection criteria of Asia’s private banks, according to private banking alts leaders at the Asian Private Banker’s Alternative Investments Summit 2026 in Hong Kong. The panel discussion, Macro outlook of alternative investments: Innovations, potentials, new insights, dissected how private banks […]

The post AIS 2026 HK: Private banks raise the bar for alts managers appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Deutsche Bank will expand its strategic collaboration with DWS in discretionary portfolio management (DPM) as the German lender targets doubling DPM assets within the next three years. Under this collaboration, Deutsche Bank’s portfolio implementation will be supported by DWS’s institutional investment and execution platform. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank Private Bank will continue to be responsible for the strategic asset allocation, portfolio […]

The post Deutsche Bank deepens DWS tie-up as it targets doubling DPM assets appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As private wealth clients increase their alternative investment allocations, private banks are racing to secure exclusivity deals with top-tier houses. However, with these funds eventually becoming widely accessible, how can banks maintain differentiation once the initial “honeymoon” period ends? This is part of a broader strategy of private banks looking to close a massive gap in alternative asset allocations, with […]

The post Exclusive — really? Goldman Sachs, Bank of Singapore on alts tie-ups and differentiation appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Federated Hermes. Author: Daniel Mahr, CFA, senior vice president, head of MDT Group Advances in computing have transformed quant investing.  Once academic, quant now drives strategies like Federated Hermes MDT US Equity, though past failures bred scepticism. We believe today’s quant is fundamentally different. Crises such as 2007’s “quant quake” and 2008’s Global Financial […]

The post Quant reimagined appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

It’s high time to tap into Hong Kong’s high net worth segment, said Deborah Cunningham, who noted that the city’s higher risk tolerance and the region’s interest in tokenised securities are some reasons why the global asset manager plans to set up shop. “[The] high net worth [segment] is probably our biggest opportunity at this point from a Hong Kong […]

The post HNW and tokenised MMF play behind Federated Hermes’ Hong Kong launch appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a growth theme — it has become a core support for the US economy and equity markets. As consumption and manufacturing slow, AI investment has emerged as the standout growth driver, contributing more to US GDP expansion than consumer spending, according to Julius Baer’s group CIO, who warns this heavy reliance on a single […]

The post Who will win the US AI race—providers or users? Julius Baer CIO weighs in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A structural shift in Japan’s economy has turned a US$3.1 trillion hoard of private wealth into one of the region’s ultimate prizes for alternative asset giants. With inflation finally cracking the country’s cash-is-king culture, private market investment firms are racing to pivot Japan’s ageing elite away from stagnant savings and into high-yielding private markets. Apollo Global Management is one such […]

The post Apollo deepens APAC push with key hires, Japan in focus appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

EQT’s acquisition of Coller Capital is more than a headline-grabbing secondaries deal — it reflects a broader shift in the alternatives industry, where scale is becoming increasingly important. This trend is far from isolated. Shortly after the EQT–Coller announcement, CVC Capital Partners revealed plans to acquire private credit manager Marathon Asset Management, and last November, Clearlake Capital Group agreed to […]

The post Bottom Line: Giants vs specialists: What’s driving the next era of alts?  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored insight from M&G Investments, celebrating their recognition at Asian Private Banker’s 13th Asset Management Awards for Excellence 2026. M&G Investments was honoured at the APB awards, reflecting its commitment to disciplined, client-focused fixed income strategies. In this interview, Richard Ryan, co-head of fundamental fixed income, shares his perspective on what truly sets successful investors apart, how […]

The post Comfortable being uncomfortable: Navigating global credit with conviction appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Despite the shadows of a potential AI bubble and persistent valuation jitters, Asia’s chief investment offices are entering 1Q26 with a resolute pro-risk tilt in equities, according to Asian Private Banker‘s review of major house views. While most banks are clinging to US earnings growth as a principal driver, a deepening rift has emerged over the role of fixed income […]

The post CIO views 1Q26 visualised: Private banks double down on US equities amid AI fatigue appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian wealth clients are showing greater curiosity about alternative investments than their US-based peers, asking more detailed, probing questions to better understand the nature of their investments, experts at PGIM told Asian Private Banker. “The conversation has shifted,” Laurie Chan, US head of alternative solutions for global wealth, PGIM, told APB during a recent visit to Hong Kong. “Clients understand […]

The post Asian wealth clients embracing alternatives with deeper curiosity than US peers: PGIM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Nomura International Wealth Management (Nomura IWM) is pushing for one of the industry’s most aggressive shifts into alternative assets, joining a regional race to lift client allocations out of the single digits. “We expect client allocations to alternatives to reach 35%-40% over the next three to five years, with alternatives serving as true equity replacement strategies rather than portfolio diversifiers,” […]

The post Nomura IWM eyes 40% alts allocation in bold “equity replacement” push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Goldman Sachs has identified China, Korea, and India as its premier regional selections for 2026, maintaining a constructive outlook on Asian equities following a period of robust performance. “We think that last year was a really important crossroad for equities, because it marks a major change in some of the drivers,” said Peter Oppenheimer, chief global equity strategist at Goldman […]

The post Goldman Sachs backs China, Korea, India as global equities hit “important crossroads” appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Following a year of four-quarter-point interest rate cuts and the lowest US inflation rates in years, BNY is seeing rising wealth client demand for global credit strategies, according to Brendan Murphy. The current low-growth economy, combined with limited inflationary pressure, has made credit — particularly global and investment-grade (IG) credit — an increasingly popular choice among Asian wealth investors, according […]

The post Asian wealth investors eye “spicier” credit allocations in 2026: BNY Investments appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored advertorial from PineBridge Investments. By Omar Slim and Andy Suen, Co-heads of Asia Fixed Income Key Takeaways Asia’s economy surprised to the upside in 2025. Despite tariff pressures and global uncertainty, the region demonstrated resilience that few anticipated. Exporters accelerated shipments ahead of tariff deadlines, exemptions in the second half of the year eased the impact, […]

The post 2026 Asia fixed income outlook: Tested again. Resilient again.  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Having explored space-sector investments for clients, DBS is now sharpening its focus on longevity opportunities, aiming to capitalise on the secular shift toward longer life and advanced healthcare. “We’re at a unique moment where scientific breakthroughs, significant capital flowing into the [longevity] sector, and undeniable demographic shifts are converging, with the sector increasingly becoming mainstream,” said Hou Wey Fook, chief investment […]

The post DBS CIO bets on longevity as next frontier for UHNW portfolios appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

US asset manager Federated Hermes will open an office in Hong Kong as part of its latest push to capture the growing wealth opportunities across Asia. The firm will focus its efforts this year on securing licensing approval from the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and completing the required registration for the newly planned office, according to a statement […]

The post US$871bn fund giant sets sights on Hong Kong to deepen private banking ties appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

After riding the AI growth wave of 2025, Julius Baer is eyeing broader opportunities in China, hoping that the country’s next policy moves will provide longer-term fixes to consumer and property sectors. “It’s not an overstatement to mention that it was a tech-led rally in China in 2025. I think 2026 would be more balanced,” Richard Tang, China strategist and […]

The post Julius Baer pivots China strategy to robotics and policy bets appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian Private Banker was honoured to celebrate the winners of the 13th annual Asset Management Awards for Excellence at a gala luncheon – the largest one so far – in Hong Kong on Thursday, where the region’s standout providers of asset management strategies to the private banking sector were recognised. Over 180 representatives from the asset management industry, as well […]

The post APB celebrates winners of Asset Management Awards for Excellence 2026 at largest-ever ceremony appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered is moving to capture the flow of UHNW capital from traditional funds to direct ownership, claiming strong early uptake for its private markets co-investment club (CIC) nearly a year after its launch. Driving client behaviour is a notable increase in appetite for control among ultra-wealthy clients. For instance, UBS’s latest Billionaire Ambitions Report found that 49% of the […]

The post Standard Chartered sees early wins from UHNW co-investment club with Ardian appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private equity giant EQT has acquired Coller Capital – one of the largest dedicated secondaries firms globally – in a landmark acquisition deal that looks to further expand EQT’s private wealth offering. The acquisition, with a base consideration of US$3.2 billion, is funded through newly issued EQT ordinary shares, with up to US$500 million in contingent consideration funded in cash, […]

The post EQT enters secondaries market with multibillion-dollar acquisition of Coller Capital appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As discretionary inflows surge following the 2025 rate cuts, Asia’s private banks are fracturing into distinct camps to capture the next wave of assets. While Pictet Wealth Management (Pictet WM) is pushing the democratisation of multi-asset private assets (MAPA) mandates, Deutsche Bank Private Bank (Deutsche Bank PB) is focusing on accessibility. BNP Paribas Wealth Management (BNP Paribas WM), for its […]

The post Pictet WM, Deutsche Bank PB, BNP Paribas WM sharpen DPM specialties for 2026 race appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Pantheon will target Asian markets, such as Thailand and Malaysia, by mid-2026 as the final leg of a three-phase expansion strategy, following the relocation of international private wealth head Victor Mayer to Singapore in late 2025. With US$82 billion in discretionary assets under management, Mayer believes Singapore is the natural base from which to translate Pantheon’s institutional prowess into the […]

The post Pantheon targeting Thailand, Malaysia in Asia push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

For Singapore-based Swiss-Asia Financial Services, selecting custodian banking partners is not just about product suites, but operational friction. CEO Pying-Huan Wang told Asian Private Banker that “painful” account-opening processes at private banks have become the primary factor distinguishing partners, as the firm eyes expansion into Taiwan. “For banks, differentiating their offerings to EAMs is vital. Although [the] product range is […]

The post Swiss-Asia CEO: KYC speed, not product breadth, drives custodian bank choice appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Following a year fraught with wild market swings and sell-offs, trade tensions, and interest rate cuts, Asia’s wealth investors are looking beyond the US as bond yields fall and reinvestment risks rise, says Marcio Bogoricin. This is prompting inflows into global fixed income, the executive vice president, head, Asia wealth management (ex-Japan), PIMCO, told Asian Private Banker, with future rate […]

The post PIMCO’s Asia wealth boss talks bonds and business growth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia’s private banks hit a fever pitch in 2025 as a convergence of market conditions and structural shifts intensifies the hunt for scalable growth in discretionary portfolio management (DPM). Benny Lee, head of discretionary portfolio management at UOB Private Bank, believes that the sweet spot comes from the understanding that DPM is a fiduciary duty business. “We have grown so […]

The post What’s fueling Benny Lee’s 50% DPM growth engine at UOB PB? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealth clients have significantly increased their adoption of systematic strategies over the past decade, driven by the hunt for alpha, the rise of active ETFs, and the ability of strategies to leverage new data sources, according to BlackRock’s Adam Riley. “Historically, systematic investors had a mile of breadth but only an inch of depth. Today, with the technologies available, we […]

The post “Major increase” in use of systematic strategies in wealth portfolios: BlackRock  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

If there is one asset class that is experiencing a renaissance because of its higher-than-expected yields lately – and one that wealthy individuals should consider in 2026 – it is emerging market (EM) debt. “If you look at the asset class in 2022, 2023, and 2024, there were significant outflows across the board. That trend clearly reversed in 2025,” Thomas […]

The post Weak dollar, stronger EM debt? UBP sees yield boost in 2026 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The burgeoning multi-trillion-dollar private credit market continues to make headlines, partly driven by investor fears over opacity, overcrowding, and undisclosed risk. The asset class’s growth into a dominant force in private capital is attracting intense scrutiny. “We get calls all the time about our views on the headlines or literally the day before,” said Henry Lee, partner and head of […]

The post “We want to set the record straight”: US$596bn manager crushes private credit myths appeared first on Asian Private Banker.