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.

External asset managers (EAM) are discovering that small-scale economics are severely choking their ability to adopt the game-changing AI capabilities needed to survive in Asia’s harsh EAM market. Three-quarters of EAMs in Singapore and Hong Kong manage less than US$1 billion in assets and are struggling with compressed fees alongside rising talent, technology, and compliance costs, according to a recent […]

The post Can Asia’s sub-US$1bn EAMs afford the AI revolution? 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.

Delays in account opening and the uncertainty of residency applications in Singapore are deterring Chinese ultra high and high net worth (U/HNW) individuals from booking their assets in the city-state. This is according to Jiang Yan, CEO, Hefeng Family Office, who told Asian Private Banker that it “still takes much longer to open bank accounts for clients” amid increased document […]

The post “Takes much longer” — “But these policies are necessary”: MFO on Singapore’s stricter checks appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Julius Baer has made a few senior hires in Hong Kong across its relationship management and financial intermediaries businesses, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Hong Kong, Kelly Ho has joined Julius Baer as a senior relationship manager in the Southeast Asia team, reporting to Agatha Chan, group head for Southeast Asia, according to sources familiar with the matter. […]

The post Julius Baer boosts Hong Kong bench with rival bank hires appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

While hiring remained muted after an intensified talent war in the Greater China market in May, two major private banks restructured their leadership benches in June to position themselves for growth in Asia. Movers in June Elsewhere, RBC Wealth Management continued its hiring spree with the appointment of former China Construction Bank (Asia) deputy general manager and deputy head of […]

The post Movers & Shakers: Hiring cools as UBS, UOB reshape leadership benches appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Morgan Stanley is expanding its efforts to engage the next generation of wealthy families in Asia, hosting a week-long programme in Hong Kong as private banks seek to strengthen relationships with future wealth owners ahead of the region’s expected intergenerational wealth transfer. The initiative, in partnership with the University of Hong Kong, comes as banks across the region increasingly compete […]

The post Morgan Stanley courts Asia’s heirs ahead of US$5.8tn wealth transfer appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Taiwanese lender Taishin International Bank has appointed KGI Securities’ former head of wealth management to lead its onshore investment strategy and advisory team for its private banking business. Jeffrey Juan joined Taishin International Bank as senior vice president on 2 July 2026, Asian Private Banker has learned. In his new role, he will head the onshore investment strategy and advisory […]

The post Taishin hires ex-KGI Securities wealth management head for investment advisory appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

J.P. Morgan Private Bank (J.P. Morgan PB) has hired an industry veteran with a strong background in FX advisory, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Hong Kong, Edward Lam has joined the US bank, sources told APB. Lam’s license with J. P. Morgan PB on the HKMA website took effect this week. J. P. Morgan PB confirmed Lam’s appointment […]

The post J.P. Morgan PB hires ex-Deutsche Bank PB FX advisory head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Clients in Asia are reluctant to abandon the artificial intelligence rally despite growing fears of over-concentration, forcing private banks to deploy sophisticated diversification tactics. Speaking at Asian Private Banker’s Alternatives Selection Nexus 2026 in Hong Kong on Tuesday, managed solutions heads from LGT, Bank of Singapore and Standard Chartered revealed the strategies they are using to insulate portfolios against geopolitical […]

The post Caught between AI FOMO and concentration risk? LGT, Bank of Singapore, StanChart reveal portfolio strategies appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

RBC Wealth Management (RBC WM) Asia has appointed a financial intermediaries expert from UBS, continuing a string of hires in the region. Based in Singapore, Thomas Jost has joined RBC WM Asia as head of the financial intermediaries desk, the bank said on Tuesday. Jost has over two decades of industry experience in financial intermediary services. He was most recently […]

The post RBC WM hires ex-UBS banker to lead financial intermediaries desk appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC has appointed a veteran banker from its corporate and institutional banking unit to lead wealth platforms. Based in London, Nick Elias has been appointed as head of wealth platforms, wealth and premier solutions, effective 15 August 2026, according to a recent statement. Elias will report to Singapore-based Lavanya Chari, head of wealth and premier solutions, HSBC. Elias is currently the […]

The post HSBC appoints wealth platforms head to accelerate AI build out appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A Hong Kong-based multi-family office has appointed a banking veteran to spearhead the expansion of its external asset management (EAM) platform, marking the latest sign of a broader talent shift from traditional banks to independent wealth spaces. Atlas Capital Asset Management (HK) announced on Tuesday the appointment of Alex Cheung, the former head of the institutional banking group and alternate […]

The post Ex-DBS exec joins MFO to drive EAM growth 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.

Barclays Private Bank has made a senior appointment to strengthen its coverage of the global Indian community. Based in Singapore, Nikhil Jha joined the UK bank as head of Non-Resident Indian (NRI), according to a statement. Jha will lead the continued build out of Barclay’s NRI franchise and also become a member of the private bank’s Singapore management committee. “Singapore […]

The post Barclays PB nets Bank of Singapore banker for NRI head role appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

William Fok, country head of HSBC Private Bank in Thailand, is making no secret of his ambitions: he wants to turn the British banking giant into the country’s dominant private bank, and he is restructuring the local business to do it. Just five months into the role, Fok is already shifting the bank’s lean Bangkok operation into growth mode. To […]

The post HSBC Private Bank plans to scale in Thailand—but how? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

India’s robust economic growth and strong equity market performance have minted a larger pool of first-generation entrepreneurs, and with it, a growing class of emerging high net worth individuals, wealth managers told Asian Private Banker. “India’s wealth creation story over the past five years has been remarkable, and I believe the underlying drivers are structural rather than purely cyclical. Several […]

The post Indian wealth managers ride the bull run to HNW growth 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.

With the first half of 2026 now behind us, a review of Asian Private Banker’s most-read feature stories over the past six months highlights what has captured readers’ attention. The results point to a few clear themes shaping interest across the industry. At a high level, the most read stories span senior executive interviews, regulatory developments, cost and fee pressures, […]

The post Bottom Line: What readers clicked on H1 2026 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This is a sponsored article from HSBC Private Bank. HSBC Private Bank in mainland China has put the market’s entrepreneurs – who make up an impressive two-thirds of its clients – at the heart of its vision, strategy and values. This has led to a holistic focus on their goals, needs and legacy aspirations. It’s a focus that thrives in […]

The post HSBC bridges global network to empower Chinese entrepreneurs 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 hedge fund assets under management (AUM) have multiplied fivefold over the past 16 months, driven by high net worth (HNW) investors correcting underweight allocations to the asset class. “Many clients were massively underweight hedge funds. They are catching up now, and we are seeing a normalisation in allocation,” Mischa Bitton, head of alternative investments, wealth solutions, told Asian […]

The post StanChart logs 5x hedge fund AUM surge as HNW clients play catch-up appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

With artificial intelligence-driven enthusiasm creating potential concentration risks, BNP Paribas Wealth Management (BNP Paribas WM) is leveraging an advisory model to steer onshore clients to long-term portfolio diversification. The bank’s onshore Taiwan business has achieved double-digit revenue growth every year, according to Che-Kun Hsu, head of wealth management for Taiwan at BNP Paribas WM. “Looking ahead, we aim to maintain […]

The post Concentration risks drive BNP Paribas WM’s advisory push in Taiwan appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Spotlighting energy infrastructure as its highest-conviction theme, DBS Private Bank is advising ultra high net worth (UHNW) clients to utilise private funds to capture the structural electricity boom driven by artificial intelligence. The bank is encouraging its UHNW clients to adopt a portfolio construction model similar to that of large institutional investors, where alternative assets account for a significantly larger […]

The post DBS CIO picks energy infra as high conviction for UHNW portfolios appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Chinese wealth manager GROW Investment Group has made a senior appointment to drive its digital and artificial intelligence push, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Hong Kong, Alan Lau has been appointed Chairman of the Board of GROW Digital Wealth (GDW), the firm’s digital asset platform, GROW Investment Group told APB. Lau will guide GDW’s strategy as it scales, […]

The post Chinese wealth manager GROW boosts AI push with senior hire appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Two senior UBS private bankers have joined Singapore-based independent asset manager and multi-family office HP Wealth Management, highlighting continued movement of relationship managers from private banks to independent firms in the region. Michael Sutter and Alex Grindley have been appointed senior relationship managers at HP Wealth Management. Sutter brings more than 25 years of wealth management experience at UBS, while […]

The post Two UBS private bankers join Singapore multi-family office appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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The post Deutsche Bank exits onshore India private banking in Kotak Mahindra deal appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

When Tucker York first started as a private wealth advisor four decades ago, the firm’s average account size was nearly US$5 million. Today at Goldman Sachs, that figure wouldn’t even get you through the front door. Driven by global wealth creation, the veteran has seen average account sizes rise to about US$90 million. But he says the bigger change is […]

The post Goldman’s Tucker York on AI, talent crunch and high bonuses appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s tax authorities are increasingly utilising Common Reporting Standard (CRS) disclosures to review the offshore wealth structures of mainland UHNW individuals, prompting greater scrutiny among families who have traditionally viewed trusts as “set-and-forget” vehicles. Clifford Ng, managing partner at Zhong Lun Law Firm in Hong Kong, told Asian Private Banker recently that tax rules and their enforcement can change quickly, […]

The post China tax shift: Offshore trusts face reality check as CRS disclosures bite appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealthy European clients who would traditionally have favoured Switzerland as an alternative booking centre are increasingly looking to wealth hubs in Asia, Lucie Hulme, chief executive officer, TriLake Partners, told Asian Private Banker. “An increasing number of wealthy clients in Europe and other parts of Asia want greater diversification,” Hulme said. “Back then, when European clients said they wanted diversification, […]

The post Wealthy Europeans increasingly choosing Asia over Switzerland – US$5bn EAM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Kelvin Tay has started his new role as chief investment officer for Asia at Pictet Wealth Management (Pictet WM), the Swiss pure play announced on Wednesday. Tay, who was most recently CIO South Asia Pacific at UBS Wealth Management, left the bank in the second quarter, with Asian Private Banker first reporting both his departure and subsequent appointment at Pictet WM, which took […]

The post Kelvin Tay starts new role as Asia CIO at Pictet Wealth Management appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the initial AI hardware rally cools, leading wealth and asset managers are pivoting toward AI data centre infrastructure and the application layer to capture the next wave of tech-driven growth, industry leaders shared at Asian Private Banker‘s China Global Wealth Summit. Private equity firm Warburg Pincus is “heavy on AI data centres” within its real estate and infrastructure portfolio, […]

The post Next phase of AI? China investors pivot to AI infra and applications appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank (HSBC PB) has hired a former senior market head at DBS Private Bank to strengthen its Taiwan coverage, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Hong Kong, Gloria Sun will join HSBC PB as market head of offshore Taiwan, reporting to Kanas Chan, head of private banking for North Asia and Hong Kong, effective 13 July 2026, […]

The post HSBC PB taps ex-DBS private banker to strengthen Taiwan push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

One of Thailand’s largest lenders has made a senior appointment to its private banking business, Asian Private Banker has learnt.  Jaturont Usahacharoenporn recently took up the role of head of private bankers at Bangkok Bank, responsible for private banking relationship management. Bangkok Bank has been contacted for comment. Usahacharoenporn has over two decades of experience in the financial industry. He […]

The post Bangkok Bank appoints private banking relationship management head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A veteran UBS executive has retired from a senior leadership role in Asia after a long-standing career with the Swiss bank, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Dino Rinaldi, who co-led the APAC wealth management integration of Credit Suisse and UBS, has stepped down from the firm, sources told APB. UBS has been contacted for comment. With more than three decades of […]

The post UBS veteran Dino Rinaldi retires after decades-long career appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Stablecoins are the missing link that could bridge the multi-trillion-dollar gap between global private wealth and the burgeoning cryptocurrency market, which for years has spooked investors because of its volatility and lack of regulation, Chi-man Kwan, group CEO and co-founder of Raffles Family Office, tells Asian Private Banker. “Once you introduce stablecoins, you start linking both worlds,” Kwan said, referring […]

The post “I have 10,000 Bitcoins – can you manage that?”: Raffles Family Office CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian Private Banker’s second annual China Global Wealth Summit, held in Hong Kong last week, brought together around over 450 delegates from leading Chinese wealth management firms, banks, global private banks, asset managers and family offices to discuss the internationalisation of Chinese wealth and the evolving needs of global Chinese investors.  Across a day of panel discussions and fireside chats, […]

The post Bottom Line: China Global Wealth Summit — diversify, de-risk, go global appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior executive is set to leave UBS Global Wealth Management (UBS GWM) in Singapore amid a broader leadership reshuffle, Asian Private Banker has learned. Dominique Boer, head of private wealth Singapore and Australia International, will depart the bank, according to sources familiar with the matter. UBS GWM confirmed Boer’s departure to APB. Sources said Boer is expected to join […]

The post Senior UBS GWM executive Dominique Boer to exit Singapore role 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.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management is tying its artificial intelligence (AI) ambitions directly to the bottom line, using a newly established Singapore hub to squeeze out “operational alpha” and lower the cost to serve the region’s wealthiest clients. Driven by a need to streamline complex onboarding, the bank is tracking strict operational metrics — including error rates and manual step reduction […]

The post BNP Paribas WM targets “operational alpha” as Singapore AI hub goes live appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Chinese high net worth (HNW) clients are prioritising liquidity preservation and a traditional 60/40 balanced portfolio over chasing tech-sector momentum. According to Asian Private Banker’s China Global Wealth Survey Summit 2026, conducted during the summit in Hong Kong, nearly half of wealth managers identify liquidity as the primary driver for portfolio shifts, with more than half favouring a balanced approach […]

The post Liquidity and 60/40 split shape Chinese HNW portfolios, APB survey finds appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Nomura International Wealth Management (Nomura IWM) is betting that its small scale will allow it to outmanoeuvre global mega-banks, targeting underserved families in the US$15-20 million bracket with bespoke solutions and an increasingly rare in-house trust entity. “Our wealth business continues to be strong – if not stronger – in the last many months,” Anurag Mahesh, head of coverage for […]

The post Nomura IWM targets US$20mn wealth segment with bespoke wealth play appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Hong Kong private bankers are streamlining client interactions, and rescheduling some mainland marketing events as compliance teams refine internal practices in response to Beijing’s closer scrutiny of cross-border capital flows. Following China’s recent US$330 million in cumulative fines against three online brokerages for unauthorised offshore trading, Hong Kong regulators have tightened oversight, requiring banks and brokers to enhance scrutiny of […]

The post Hong Kong wealth managers adapt as cross-border rules change appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered is doubling down on North Asian equities over Southeast Asia for the second half of 2026, while identifying compelling AI opportunities in the US IPO pipeline. For 2H26, the bank has upgraded Asia ex-Japan equities to overweight, citing compelling valuations relative to global markets and superior earnings-per-share growth compared to major regions. North Asian markets, such as Taiwan […]

The post StanChart CIO backs North Asia tech, AI IPO boom in the US appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

High taxes and geopolitical fears will continue to push Taiwan’s growing population of high net worth individuals to move their wealth offshore, despite recent government initiatives aimed at achieving the exact opposite, independent wealth managers told Asian Private Banker. Taiwan launched its Kaohsiung Asset Management Pilot Zone last July, with the aim of attracting global financial institutions to set up […]

The post Why Taiwan’s rich are still going offshore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore’s drive to shorten private bank onboarding timelines is lifting the role of AI and automation while reinforcing demand for experienced KYC and compliance talent.  The move follows new guidelines from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Private Banking Industry Group (PBIG) aimed at eliminating redundant vetting protocols. MAS managing director Chia Der Jiun said in a speech […]

The post Singapore’s four-week onboarding push puts AI and KYC hiring in focus appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A senior investment executive is leaving Raffles Family Office, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Hong Kong-based Julien Grunebaum, head of structured investments, is leaving the firm after five years, sources told APB. A spokesperson for Raffles Family Office declined to comment. APB has been unable to determine Grunebaum’s next career move. Grunebaum joined the firm in 2021 as the first […]

The post Raffles Family Office head of structured investments exits appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banking relationship managers (RMs) in Asia are overseeing larger books than at any point on record, reflecting a structural shift in how wealth management businesses are being run. In 2025, average assets under management (AUM) per RM reached a record US$473 million, with books growing by an average of US$62 million, or 15% – the fastest rate in five […]

The post Average private banking book size grew by US$62m in 2025 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Cathay United Bank’s offshore private banking unit is exploring opportunities for closed-end structures to expand its product shelf for the second half of 2026, according to Hyde Sun, section head of private banking investment consultant for the lender’s Hong Kong branch.  The move targets wealthy clients willing to lock up capital and endure the “J-curve” – the typical early period […]

The post Cathay United Bank eyes closed-end funds for offshore clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

India is facing a version of the same tension seen in other Asian markets, but expressed through a different stage of capital market development and regulatory design. For years, the idea in India was simple: as the economy opened up and grew, it was normal for wealthy individuals and companies to move money abroad. It was seen as part of […]

The post Bottom Line: India joins the clampdown on overseas money flows appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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