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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 […]

The post Hong Kong IAM hires for Middle East expansion  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Independent wealth managers need to train the next generation of wealth managers or risk seeing the pool of future talent dry up, Grant Ko, chairman and founder of Wisdom Family Office, told Asian Private Banker. “There is a talent gap today that exists not just in Hong Kong, Singapore, or Taiwan, but across the region,” Ko said. This shortage, he […]

The post US$7bn family office warns of talent crunch, urges next-gen training appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Incoming changes that could slash taxes on certain fees earned by fund managers and independent wealth managers are welcome but long overdue, Ronald Chan, founder and chief investment officer, Chartwell Capital, told Asian Private Banker. The Hong Kong government announced proposed changes to its carried interest regime in March 2026, to provide asset and wealth managers with preferential tax treatment […]

The post Hong Kong’s carried interest refresh: Too little, too late for private credit? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Taiwan’s family office landscape is becoming increasingly sophisticated as rapid technological development and a changing global regulatory environment drive ultra and high net worth clients to rethink their wealth preservation strategies. Speaking at Asian Private Banker’s inaugural Taipei Global Wealth Summit last week, industry experts highlighted the defining trends for family offices as the government intensifies its efforts to establish […]

The post TGWS 2026: Taiwan FOs double down on AI, risk management as wealth hub race intensifies appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Investors can expect “robust scrutiny” rather than a “light touch” as the Monetary Authority of Singapore moves to prevent Variable Capital Companies (VCCs) from being abused for money laundering, independent wealth managers warn. The MAS issued a warning to fund managers in January regarding the use of VCC structures for money-laundering purposes. The warning, which had not been reported until […]

The post MAS VCC crackdown: Expect “robust scrutiny,” wealth managers warn appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Chinese wealth manager GROW Investment Group is expanding its business in the Middle East, shunning geopolitical noise and betting on its AI-driven digital wealth platform for growth. The firm, backed by Swiss pure-play Julius Baer, has recently received in-principle approval to conduct both asset management and wealth management business in the Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM), it shared with Asian […]

The post Chinese wealth manager GROW ramps up Middle East push despite Iran war appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian ultra high net worth (UHNW) families have appeared to reach an apex: set clear rules to govern their fortunes today, or watch them slowly disappear over time. This, according to Cameron Harvey, chief executive officer, Landmark Family Office, is one key trend the private multi-family office is seeing emerge among wealthy Asian clients as the region quietly undergoes the […]

The post Family offices must prioritise governance over gains, says Landmark CEO 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.

Singapore-headquartered global investment firm Lighthouse Canton is eyeing Taiwan as a springboard to accelerate its wealth push into the North Asia market as part of its 2027 goal of reaching US$10 billion in assets under management. The firm has entered a strategic partnership with Taiwan’s Draco Evolution to merge AI capabilities with global asset management expertise, according to a company […]

The post Lighthouse Canton taps Taiwan fintech for North Asia wealth push  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The United Arab Emirates’ status as a hub for wealthy Asian clients and family offices remains intact, despite safety concerns and uncertainty stemming from the ongoing Iran war, which threatens the emirates’ image as a wealth haven, independent wealth managers told Asian Private Banker. “Our outlook on business prospects in the Middle East remains positive,” Derrick Tan, group executive chairman, […]

The post Independent wealth managers hold firm in UAE amid Iran tensions appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Maybank’s private banking in Malaysia saw assets and fees surge in 2025, with new assets rising 20% to RM 31 billion (US$7.78 billion) and fee income up 15%. The bank expanded its presence beyond Kuala Lumpur into Penang, Sarawak, Sabah, and opened a private wealth desk in Johor. Rising demand from wealthy individuals, who now allocate over half of their […]

The post From KL to Johor — Has Maybank found the right UHNW formula in Malaysia? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

If you ask Paul Lee, CEO and CIO of Paragon Capital Management, how the independent asset manager (IAM) has multiplied its AUM by six in under a decade, he might point to the firm’s discretionary model, and, perhaps surprisingly so, the complete lack of exposure to private credit investments. “Now, whatever I say at this point in the market, you […]

The post IAM that skipped ‘private credit’ sees AUM surge sixfold appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Southeast Asia’s family office surge is entering a more complex phase. After years of rapid proliferation — particularly in Singapore — many families are now reassessing whether the single-family office (SFO) model remains fit for purpose. The shift is not about abandoning the model altogether, but about confronting the realities of scale. What began as lean, founder-led structures are evolving […]

The post New phase for SEA family offices? Julius Baer, DBS PB, Raffles FO weigh in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealthy individuals in Asia with US exposure risk being caught out by recent changes in US tax policy, including measures under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Jessica Cutrera of Leo Wealth, a Hong Kong-based independent wealth advisor, told Asian Private Banker. “There are a lot of individuals in Greater China and Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia and Thailand, […]

The post “Never advised properly”: Leo Wealth flags US tax risks for Asia’s HNW appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Structured products specialist Goldhorse Capital has expanded its product suite and service capabilities for external asset managers (EAMs) amid rising competition to win over this booming segment. The Hong Kong-headquartered firm has integrated its affiliated securities business, Goldhorse Securities, into a unified operating framework, according to a statement on Tuesday. By unifying its businesses, Goldhorse Capital has expanded its product […]

The post Hong Kong’s Goldhorse Capital revamps business to boost EAM offerings appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Growing geopolitical instability in the Middle East is driving a reassessment of global booking centres, providing a tailwind for Hong Kong’s newly expanded “Family Office 2.0” strategy, according to Jason Fong, global head of FamilyOffice HK. “Legal certainty and continuity are exactly the kind of assurances super‑rich families look for when choosing a jurisdiction for their family offices,” Fong told […]

The post Family Office 2.0: Can Hong Kong’s ‘safe pocket’ narrative win over skittish global wealth? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

To keep up with the needs of Asia’s ultra and high net worth individuals, family offices need to pick up the pace and have plans in place to serve generations ahead, says Hemant Tucker. This is driving Farro Capital, a Singapore-headquartered multi-family office, to proactively devise new strategies for the Asian wealth segment amid a shift towards more “institutional” frameworks, […]

The post Quick wins or lasting wealth? MFO reveals what matters to UHNWIs appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian private banks could be stifling the growth of external asset managers (EAMs) in Asia by failing to treat them as proper business partners, Mandeep Nalwa, CEO of Taurus Wealth, told Asian Private Banker. “We need banks to be partners to EAMs, so the rules of the game are the same in Switzerland and Asia. That would allow everyone to […]

The post “We need banks to be partners”: Taurus CEO slams EAM treatment in Asia 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.

Family office Lioner International Group has appointed a BNP Paribas veteran as a group strategic advisor. Brian Kenyon has been appointed as group strategic advisor for Lioner, the family office announced in a statement on Wednesday. In his new role, Kenyon will build the firm’s trust capabilities, drive growth, and enhance client services. Kenyon will also provide strategic insights on […]

The post Retired BNP Paribas WM wealth planning head joins family office appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s Haitong International Securities (Haitong International) is aiming to capitalise on the growing trend of Chinese companies ‘going global’ by collaborating with a Singapore-based single-family office. Haitong International, one of the international arms of Guotai Haitong Securities, signed a strategic partnership with Shaw Investment APAC to support Chinese enterprises seeking overseas expansion, compliant outbound capital deployment and access to international […]

The post Haitong secures US$3bn Singapore family office partner for China enterprise push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Raffles Family Office has teamed up with software company GoUpscale and management consultancy firm Synpulse to launch an operating platform for Asian external asset managers (EAMs) and multi-family offices (MFOs).  The platform, dubbed Quantive Partners, aims to reduce fragmentation across custodians, improve risk visibility and data integrity, and aid EAMs and MFOs in the portfolio decision-making process, according to a […]

The post Raffles Family Office collaborates to launch an operating platform for EAMs appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Thailand has emerged as a new growth engine for Asia’s external asset managers (EAMs) as they aim to break into new markets amid rising industry competition. In one example, Singaporean EAM WRISE recently entered into a collaboration with Thai-based advisory firm IFCG Public Company, the firms said in a statement on Tuesday. Under the tie-up, WRISE will provide its platform […]

The post Thailand emerges as a hotspot as Asia’s EAMs eye new markets appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A seasoned Southeast Asia-focused private banker has launched an external asset management (EAM) firm in Singapore, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Serene Tan has established UDS Capital and assumed the role of chief executive officer, the firm shared exclusively with APB. The newly formed EAM will focus on serving ultra high net worth (UHNW) clients across Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on […]

The post Ex-Credit Suisse private banker launches EAM in Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Hong Kong-based independent wealth manager 3 Capital Partners is taking a less-trodden path in Asia’s wealth management space: offering ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients a fully discretionary, buy-side investment experience since its founding instead of the common commission-based service. Founded a decade ago by former J.P. Morgan private banker Alex Yu, the firm aims to bridge what it sees as a critical […]

The post Hong Kong IAM 3 Capital Partners goes fully discretionary to serve UHNWIs appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Topaz Family Office in Hong Kong has transformed from a single-family office (SFO) in 2012 to what co-founder Jim Kwok now describes as a hybrid family office and external asset manager (EAM). The move has paid off. The firm’s assets under management (AUM) have grown to about US$3 billion, up from US$1 billion in 2022, reflecting a broader shift among the […]

The post Hong Kong’s Topaz Family Office sees AUM surge after hybrid pivot appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore-based independent wealth manager WRISE has expanded its presence in Taiwan, aiming to meet the evolving needs of ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals and families. The firm recently opened a client service centre in Taipei to provide advisory and consultation services, according to a statement. The centre will also roll out family wealth–focused educational and engagement programmes, designed to foster next-generation dialogue […]

The post WRISE expands into Taiwan to serve UHNW families appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The chief operating officer of Raffles Family Office is set to leave the firm, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Hong Kong-based Terence Chow, who held the position for just over a year and a half, will soon leave the company to pursue other opportunities, sources familiar with the matter told APB. Chow has more than 20 years of experience in […]

The post Raffles Family Office COO Terence Chow to depart after brief tenure appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The number of single-family offices (SFOs) in Hong Kong has increased by around 25% over the past two years as the Asian financial hub continues to see strong growth momentum for its wealth management industry. Hong Kong has attracted an additional 681 SFOs to establish their businesses in the city since the end of 2023, when there were 2703 family […]

The post Hong Kong family office boom: New SFOs jump 25% in two years appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Revo Digital Family Office (REVO DFO) has received regulatory approval to offer regulated investment advice and portfolio management services in Hong Kong, and will integrate digital asset services into traditional portfolio mandates. Revo FDO has obtained a Type 4 licence, allowing it to provide investment advice and research to clients regarding securities, and a Type 9 licence, allowing it to […]

The post Raffles Family Office’s crypto MFO gets green light in Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

External asset managers (EAMs) have seen a meteoric rise in Hong Kong and Singapore, yet this growth is being undermined by back-office friction. According to industry experts, persistent data and operational challenges now threaten the scalability and service standards these firms need to stay ahead of rising competition. James Dellborg, associate partner for banking at management consulting company Synpulse, believes […]

The post Asia’s “hungry” EAMs in offensive M&A mode to leapfrog rivals appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A private banking veteran has taken up a new role at Wisdom Family Office, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Arthur Fong joined Wisdom as managing director and senior advisor this week, subject to completion of onboarding and regulatory licensing, the private banking veteran announced on Thursday. Fong joined from Singapore-headquartered asset manager Paragon Capital Management, where he served as the […]

The post Private banking veteran switches from Paragon to Wisdom Family Office appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore’s WRISE Group has formed a partnership with Dubai-headquartered The Continental Group to deliver wealth solutions to affluent and HNW clients in the Middle East, according to an announcement on Wednesday. Through the partnership, WRISE Group will combine its digital wealth infrastructure, global product capabilities, and institutional investment access with The Continental Group’s insurance and risk advisory expertise, and onshore […]

The post WRISE taps Dubai partnership to drive Middle East wealth 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.

Nearly a year after securing US$18 million from Jungle Ventures, Waterfield Advisors’ founder and CEO Soumya Rajan is eyeing acquisition opportunities in India’s independent advisory market. Rajan had often been approached by investors. On each occasion, she politely but firmly declined. Until Jungle Ventures called. The Singapore-based venture capital firm was different. But why? One factor was simple timing: its approach […]

The post Waterfield scores US$18m — Soumya Rajan charts next growth moves appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

US-based multi-family office (MFO) Avestar Capital has opened a new office in Singapore, joining a growing list of private wealth firms seeking to court wealthy individuals in the city-state. The new office will serve as Avestar’s Asia Pacific hub, and will provide tailored wealth management services for ultra high net worth (UHNW) families across the region, the firm said on […]

The post US-based MFO branches into Singapore, appoints ex-Citi exec as CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A former Hong Kong-based team head for the Greater China market at Standard Chartered Global Private Bank has joined a multi-family office (MFO) in the city, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Joseph Tam left the emerging markets-focused lender and took up a new role at Aspenwood Family Office, sources familiar with the matter told APB. Aspenwood Family Office confirmed Tam’s […]

The post Ex-StanChart PB Greater China team head joins Hong Kong family office appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Hong Kong-headquartered external asset manager Blackhorn Wealth Management (Blackhorn) has hired a seasoned private banking veteran, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Andy Yuen has joined the firm as chief operating officer, effective 2 January 2026. In this role, he will help enhance Blackhorn’s platform and business strategy, the firm told APB. Yuen has held several senior executive positions in the […]

The post Hong Kong EAM hires ex-Julius Baer team head as COO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s GROW Investment Group (GROW) is seeking to enhance its digital assets offerings for ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) and families through a collaboration with a Web3 firm. GROW Digital Wealth (GDW), GROW’s Hong Kong-based digital assets platform, has signed an investment term sheet with Animoca Brands, securing strategic funding to build an integrated wealth management platform for both […]

The post Chinese wealth manager GROW secures funding for digital assets push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia’s family office landscape is evolving as ultra-wealthy families in Singapore increasingly favour shared or multi-family office (MFO) platforms over traditional single-family offices (SFOs). Rising regulatory complexity, talent constraints, and more sophisticated investment strategies are driving families toward structures that offer institutional-grade resources without the operational burden. A recent example comes from Singapore’s largest bank. DBS’s bank-backed MFO platform has […]

The post Singapore’s rich are choosing “shared family office” model, UOB PB weighs in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Dubai-headquartered Klay plans to hire up to 120 staff in Singapore by 2030 to drive an advisory-led expansion that rejects the industry’s standard retrocession fee model. Over the last 13 years, the firm has focused on internal development, establishing platforms, proprietary technology, systems, and product offerings, according to Kalpesh Khakhria, co-founder and group chairman at Klay. “Now is the time […]

The post Klay targets top private banking talent to fuel advisory-led Singapore expansion appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Billionaires are expecting to live longer than ever before, a UBS report has found, signalling that banks will have to adapt to meet the longer-term wealth-planning and investment goals of the world’s wealthiest people. The combined wealth of global billionaires reached US$15.8 trillion, a 13% increase compared to 12 months ago, according to the UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025, which […]

The post Billionaires expect longer lives and four trends ahead appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Independent wealth manager WRISE is moving to cut brokers out of the equation, with founder Derrick Tan arguing that “middlemen don’t add value” as the firm seeks direct partnerships with global insurers to serve ultra high net worth (UHNW) clients. This “upstream” approach, developed over the last few years, has allowed the firm to fully customise and quickly launch structured […]

The post WRISE’s Derrick Tan: “Middlemen don’t add value” — EAM bypasses brokers appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

What if the most interesting story in Asian wealth right now isn’t the giant private banks, but the external asset managers (EAM) quietly, or not so quietly, making their mark? In Singapore and Hong Kong, they’re growing in numbers, scaling up their businesses, and extending their reach across markets. Take Singapore, for example. Ten years ago, the independent scene was […]

The post Bottom Line: Rising costs, retrocessions, regulations – and will EAMs consolidate? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

WRISE Group has appointed four senior executives across the Middle East and Asia to accelerate regional growth, the independent wealth manager said on Tuesday. Darren Ng has joined the firm as group CFO and will oversee the group’s financial strategy and operational efficiencies across WRISE’s global entities, with a mandate to strengthen the firm’s financial foundations to support regional growth, […]

The post WRISE strengthens leadership bench in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The dynamic in the global external asset management (EAM) business has fundamentally reversed. As Swiss private banks seek to offset decelerating performance in their home market, engines for growth have emerged in European, Middle Eastern and Asian EAM sectors. However, selectivity remains key in choosing EAM partners, Laurent Pellet, limited partner and global head of external asset managers for Lombard […]

The post Lombard Odier looks to global EAM markets as Swiss sector cools appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As private banks compete fiercely for single-family office (SFO) wallet share, Pictet Wealth Management in Singapore is seeing SFOs emerge as a fast-growing segment, driving net new money. The Swiss pure-play is leveraging its long-term, investment-led approach to capture a larger share of this expanding market. “Family offices have always been a cornerstone client group for Pictet globally,” Alison Lim, […]

The post Pictet WM Singapore CEO: Single-family offices main source of net new money appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Despite the financial focus of most family offices, the truth is stark: only 3% of wealth transfer failures over three generations are due to financial issues, such as poor investments or tax planning. The overwhelming majority (97%) stem from relational issues and a lack of next-generation preparedness, according to Citi Private Bank’s Alexandre Monnier. But to tackle these issues, how […]

The post Citi Private Bank leans on global benchmarking to win family office mandates appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

“We’re living in a VUCA world – volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous. Things are not getting rosier,” Ronald Chan, founder and CIO of Hong Kong’s Chartwell Capital, told Asian Private Banker. This blunt assessment of the global landscape is driving a return to basics for Asia’s top family offices, with gold allocations surging. The shiny metal is no longer viewed as […]

The post Asia’s family offices are going for gold as fiat faith fades—but how? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore has revoked tax incentives granted to two single-family offices (SFOs) linked to Prince Group, whose founder and chairman, Chen Zhi, has been sanctioned by the US and the UK for allegedly running forced-labour scam operations in Cambodia. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Wednesday it has identified the two SFOs connected to the sanctioned individuals and has […]

The post Singapore pulls tax perks for family offices tied to Cambodia’s Prince Group appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A critical fear is haunting the region’s affluent: a majority worry their wealth won’t endure beyond their children’s generation, raising the spectre of a massive, rapid reversal of Asian fortunes, Sun Life Asia’s new survey has revealed. This widespread anxiety stems from a lack of confidence in their heirs. The survey, released on Thursday, found that more than half fear […]

The post Passing the baton or dropping it? Wealthy Asians aren’t so sure appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian family offices are exhibiting increasing sophistication and strategic foresight, moving beyond traditional financing to set up proactive “war chests” and demanding highly tailored solutions to capitalise on market opportunities, lending experts at Deutsche Bank Private Bank (Deutsche Bank PB) told Asian Private Banker. “Asian family offices are aware of the importance of adequate risk and liquidity management in view […]

The post Deutsche Bank PB sees lending shift as family offices build ‘war chests’ appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the saying goes, you reap what you sow. And for Invest Hong Kong’s (InvestHK) Jason Fong, Hong Kong’s family office boom is no accident but the result of several years of intense effort behind the scenes, looking to sow the wind to reap the whirlwind. Fong joined InvestHK in 2023, tasked with revamping Hong Kong’s family office ecosystem. This effort, […]

The post “Now, we’re harvesting”: Jason Fong on Hong Kong’s next family office push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

What are the top priorities for Asia’s ultra high net worth (UHNW) families today? According to a recent report by Julius Baer, the Family Barometer Report 2025, released on Tuesday, their priorities are shifting. In an environment of rising geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty, family legacy now ranks among the top concerns for Asia’s wealthy families. “For the first time, ‘Building […]

The post Julius Baer: Family legacy now a top priority for Asia’s UHNWs appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singaporean independent wealth manager WRISE Group has partnered with CTF Life Bermuda to deliver integrated wealth management and legacy planning solutions for clients. In this strategic partnership, WRISE will use CTF Life Bermuda’s solutions to provide tailored strategies addressing the global integrated wealth, health, and legacy planning needs of clients, the wealth manager announced in a statement on Wednesday. This […]

The post WRISE, CTF Life Bermuda team up on legacy planning for private clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Lioner International Group has appointed a group strategic advisor who previously worked as HSBC Global Private Bank’s APAC wealth planning head. Lioner has appointed Henry Lam as a group strategic advisor, the firm, which specialises in insurance, trust, and family office advisory, said in a media note on Monday. In his new role, Lam will provide senior counsel on long-term […]

The post Ex-HSBC GPB wealth planning head resurfaces at Lioner appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Raffles Family Office (Raffles FO) has appointed two industry veterans for its Hong Kong relationship management team to serve ultra high net worth (UHNW) clients. Effective immediately, Michael Tung has been appointed as a managing director, the Asia multi-family office announced in a statement on Monday. With experience across Greater China and Southeast Asia, Tung joins from venture capital and […]

The post Raffles FO taps PE talent for Hong Kong RM team appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has admitted that processing times for its tax incentive scheme for single-family offices (SFOs) have been too slow, and has vowed to simplify and speed up the process. During a speech at the Global-Asia Family Office Summit organised by the Wealth Management Institute (WMI) on Monday, Chee Hong Tat, MAS deputy chairman and minister […]

The post MAS vows to improve wait times for SFO tax incentive scheme appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UOB Private Bank (UOB PB) is leveraging its strength in the ASEAN markets to offer external asset managers (EAMs) differentiated solutions beyond traditional trade execution and custody as the bank looks for sustainable EAM business growth amid increasing market competition. “One of the strategic pillars for our private wealth transformation is focusing on the EAM business because we see there’s […]

The post UOB PB sees 30% EAM AUM boost on ASEAN strength appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

DBS Private Bank (DBS PB) is on track to double the assets under management (AUM) for its multi-family office (MFO) solution that offers an alternative way for ultra high net worth (UHNW) families to manage wealth in Singapore. The DBS Multi Family Office Foundry VCC (DBS MFO), launched in 2023, has achieved S$1 billion  (US$780 million) in AUM, according to […]

The post DBS PB “on track” to double VCC AUM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singaporean independent wealth manager WRISE has expanded its presence with the opening of a new office in an inland Chinese city. WRISE Academy, an initiative under the firm’s affluent segment, WRISE Prestige, has been launched in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, according to a statement on Thursday. This is WRISE Academy’s second location following the launch of its Shenzhen […]

The post Singapore IAM WRISE ventures into inland China with new office launch appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UBP has launched a dedicated external asset management (EAM) dealing team to support its Singapore and Hong Kong desks, targeting Asia’s surging EAM market. To lead the new team, Mark Ruddock joined the bank as head of EAM dealing Asia on 8 September 2025. He will report to Dimitri Platonoff, head of treasury and trading Asia at UBP, according to […]

The post UBP bolsters Asia EAM push with dedicated dealing team appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Three months ago, Ling Pong – a Goldman Sachs veteran of nearly 20 years – took the helm as head of North Asia for its Private Wealth Management (PWM) division. Facing an expanding mandate, she told Asian Private Banker how the US bank is capitalising on recent market momentum, while highlighting investment trends among family office clients. With a strong […]

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Singapore-headquartered multi-family office Farro Capital has launched philanthropy advisory services to help families build legacies beyond financial wealth. The new platform provides tailor-made plans, governance structures, and impact measurement frameworks, with Farro Capital advising families in collaboration with vetted partners. Managing over US$2 billion, Farro Capital already advises ultra high net worth families on investment management, legacy planning, and philanthropy. […]

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CTF Services (CTFS), part of Hong Kong’s billionaire Cheng family, is expanding into wealth management with the acquisition of a majority stake in Blackhorn Group, a rising independent external asset manager (EAM) headquartered in Hong Kong. The firm announced on Tuesday that it has signed a conditional agreement to acquire a 65% equity interest in Blackhorn. Financial terms of the […]

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Bank of Singapore has rolled out a new solution for ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs), designed to give them access to benefits traditionally associated with a single-family office (SFO) without the burden of setting up and running one. The Family Office Catalyst will see the bank appointed as the fund manager of an investment vehicle that can qualify for tax exemptions […]

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A former senior banker at Julius Baer has joined a Swiss pure-play in Singapore. Meanwhile, another veteran private banker from the city-state has resurfaced at an external asset manager (EAM), Asian Private Banker has learnt. Chern Pei Pei joined Lombard Odier as managing director in late July, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) licence records. Lombard Odier confirmed […]

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A Singapore private banking veteran has joined a fund firm specialising in green impact investing to grow its family office business, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Singapore, Kimmis Pun has started a new role as a managing director, family office at Beijing-headquartered Asia Green Fund Management. Pun has over two decades of experience in the private wealth management […]

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Two former HSBC private bankers have resurfaced at an external asset manager (EAM) in Singapore, Asia Private Banker has learnt. Jack Koo and Sanjay Shah have both recently joined Merliance Capital, a Singapore-based EAM. Koo joined as managing partner and head of wealth management, whereas Shah has been named as a strategic advisor for the firm. Merliance Capital was founded […]

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Once cautious about digital assets, private banks in Asia are now inching towards crypto exposure, with several institutions in the region preparing to onboard their first crypto-linked products, Asian Private Banker has learnt. “While crypto markets move fast, distributors like private banks have been cautious to access and reference this asset class. But we see the mindset starting to change,” […]

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What are the first names that come to mind when considering financial hubs in Asia Pacific? Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo? But could we be about to add… Kaohsiung to that list? If the Taiwanese government has anything to do with it, we might be. Emboldened by an artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor boom, and promising a series of […]

The post Deep Dive: Why cultural Kaohsiung could be the next frontier for wealth management appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The Middle East has been the epicentre of geopolitical uncertainty over the past six months, with flare-ups of tensions between Israel and Iran and in the wider region impacting markets and client portfolios. With clients geographically closer to conflict, WRISE Private Middle East CEO told Asian Private Banker how he has been advising staying “tactically agile” to seize opportunities where […]

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Deutsche Bank is being sued by a Singaporean external asset manager (EAM), according to legal documents seen by Asian Private Banker. According to a statement of claim dated 11 July 2025, Invest Partners Capital Group (IPCG) is suing Deutsche Bank, Singapore branch, for alleged breach of an external asset management agreement, as well as for breach of duty of care […]

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A private banking veteran in Singapore has joined a multi-family office (MFO) as CEO, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Sen Sui recently joined Singapore-based Luminas Financial as CEO, according to licence records from the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Sui confirmed the appointment when APB reached out for comment. Prior to this, Sui spent over five years at HSBC Global Private […]

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Hong Kong-listed DL Holdings, which owns DL Family Office, has expanded its leadership team for its North America business as part of its plan to grow globally amid tougher market competition. Victor Ai, the group’s executive director and chief marketing officer, has taken on the additional role of chief executive officer of DL Holdings (USA), the company said. In this […]

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UBS Global Wealth Management (UBS GWM) has restructured its financial intermediaries (FIM) team in Asia Pacific, including the appointment of new co-heads, as well as a new head of A&S (advisory & sales) FIM APAC, according to an internal memo seen by Asian Private Banker. Philippe Spielhofer and Stefan Berger have been appointed as the new co-heads of FIM APAC, […]

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Indian family offices are doubling down on private equity and venture capital, with a growing focus on formalising governance and succession planning, according to a recent joint report by EY and Julius Baer. The report, The Indian family office playbook, which surveyed more than 25 niche family offices in India, highlighted that 26% of those surveyed allocate more than 20% […]

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Family offices in Asia Pacific may now lead the world in structured succession planning and responsible investing, challenging traditional perceptions of informal governance, according to a recent report by BNP Paribas Wealth Management (BNP Paribas WM). The French bank’s latest 2024 Asia-Pacific Family Office Report, which was jointly conducted by Campden Wealth, surveyed 360 family offices worldwide, including 76 from […]

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The external asset management (EAM) space in Asia may still be in its early stages, but its rapid growth is creating “tremendous opportunity” for private banks that know how to serve this emerging client segment, according to senior executives from leading private banks. While EAMs in Asia are less mature than their European counterparts, panellists at the Family Office Association […]

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Retaining top professionals is proving a major challenge for Asia Pacific family offices, pushing firms to cover their bases with outsourcing and hastening artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, a recent industry survey by Campden Wealth and AlTi Tiedemann Global has found. Talent is a top concern for Asia Pacific family offices, with 38% of respondents saying it is “difficult” or “extremely […]

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As Asia’s single-family offices (SFOs) embrace digital transformation, their top concern isn’t portfolio returns – it’s protection. A growing number of SFOs in the region, particularly in wealth hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore, are prioritising cybersecurity and risk controls as they modernise their operations, according to a recent industry report. The findings from Deloitte Private’s Family Office Insights Series: […]

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Singapore-headquartered digital wealth platform Syfe raised US$80 million in its Series C fundraising, marking another milestone for the firm as it seeks to expand across Asia Pacific. This round of fundraising included a new all-equity C2 of US$53 million at a significantly increased valuation, and a C1 raise of US$27 million in August 2024. It brings Syfe’s total funding to […]

The post UK family offices lead Syfe’s US$80m Series C fundraising appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Ionic Wealth is blending smart tech with human advice to scale fast in India’s competitive wealth space. The Mumbai-headquartered firm is tapping into the country’s digitally savvy population through a flexible model that offers access via app or adviser. Co-founded by CEO Srikanth Subramanian, the firm operates in nine Indian cities with a team of 166, including 57 relationship managers (RMs). It serves […]

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In a retrocession-driven industry, Paragon Capital Management has built a niche with its discretionary model in Singapore. Now, the independent asset manager (IAM) is setting its sights on replicating that success in North Asia, a region where clients remain more comfortable with the advisory approach. Spearheading the expansion is Hong Kong-based CEO Arthur Fong, who joined the firm about a […]

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Hong Kong’s independent asset manager Chartwell Capital is seeking to capture Singapore’s wealth by tapping an increasingly popular structure in the lion city. The firm said on Friday it launched a new investment vehicle structured as a Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) in collaboration with its onshore strategic partner Tembusu Partners. A Singapore VCC can be set up as a […]

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China’s ultra-wealthy families are expanding their businesses globally amid rising market volatility, while placing greater emphasis on family governance to ensure smooth wealth transfer to the next generation. That is according to leading private wealth advisors at Asian Private Banker’s inaugural China Global Wealth Summit, which was attended by about 500 high-profile delegates. Entrepreneurial families in the world’s second-largest economy […]

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Amid a rapidly evolving global investment landscape, Iqbal Khan, APAC president and co-president of UBS Global Wealth Management, revealed that more than half of family offices are seeking to diversify their investments beyond the US, with Asia emerging as a key destination. Speaking at the firm’s Asia Investment Conference — formerly a flagship event of Credit Suisse — Khan, who […]

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Dedicated EAM services have proven a tough nut to crack for private banks in Asia, with several banks scaling back in this area in recent years, including the likes of HSBC Global Private Banking and J.P. Morgan. But into this void have stepped a number of different regional players, from wealthtech platforms to securities firms, which believe their faster account […]

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Hong Kong multi-family office Peakhouse has appointed an industry veteran to lead its global expansion and boost its wealth management capabilities. Berry Wong has joined the firm as chief executive officer, effective immediately. He will lead Peakhouse’s teams across three hubs — Hong Kong, Chengdu, and Ho Chi Minh City — focusing on regional expansion and innovation, the firm said […]

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