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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Standard Chartered’s 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The post Bespoke structured products gaining traction in US$420bn market: Julius Baer’s Rishabh Saksena appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

The post Goldman Sachs: Private credit’s “moment of education” favours major players appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

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

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

Since geopolitical escalations began in late February, client meeting volume at J.P. Morgan Private Bank has surged. However, the tone of these conversations has shifted significantly compared to the panic during last year’s Liberation Day, according to Yuxuan Tang, the US bank’s Asia head of rates and FX strategy. “Clients are relatively calm this time around. We don’t really see […]

The post “Our view is a bit contrarian”: J.P. Morgan PB sticks to China bet through mounting Middle East tension appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Kiatnakin Phatra Securities (KKPS) is seeing its 2019 entry into private markets pay off as the business reaches a new phase of maturity. Early investments made by clients, particularly private equity, are now maturing, allowing KKPS to roll liquidity into new vintages. In this new strategic phase, many long-term clients have seen their penetration into private markets hit “optimal exposure,” […]

The post Thailand’s Kiatnakin Phatra hits US$2.5bn alts milestone as reinvestment cycle kicks in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Despite prolonged geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Asia’s CIOs remained confident in US equities and gold, extending the trend seen in 1Q26, according to Asian Private Banker‘s review of major house views. While bullish sentiment on equities and gold lingered on, the constructive view on private markets from the previous quarter weakened amid recent headlines of private market stress. […]

The post CIO views 2Q26 visualised: PBs bullish equities, gold, but turn cautious on private markets appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

With the private assets space becoming more crowded, it is “only logical” that private banks will start arguing for a share of the carry, says Meng Keet Wong, UOB Private Bank’s head of managed products and alternative investments. Wong said that while general partners (GPs) that entered the private wealth arena early once dictated terms through perceived scarcity, they are […]

The post Alts boom: UOB PB says it’s “only logical” private banks take performance fees 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Amid high performance dispersion, a weakening US dollar, and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, private bank fund selectors across the region are taking different approaches. Some are focused on optimising and refining their fund shelves, while others aim to capture broader opportunities through innovative, expanded fund offerings. Fund selectors from UBS, Morgan Stanley, and UBP, who also serve as members of Asian Private […]

The post UBS, Morgan Stanley, UBP: 2026 fund selection focus – optimise or expand? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Despite the dramatic capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro by US forces, Asia’s private banks are urging UHNW clients to stay the course, dismissing the event as a “localised” shock with minimal impact on global supply chains. In a major escalation on 3 January 2026, US forces launched a military raid in the capital city of Caracas, capturing Venezuelan President […]

The post Venezuela raid or not, private bank CIOs see a clear path to 2026 growth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks in Asia have been encouraging clients to increase allocations to alternative investments. However, one very familiar hurdle continues to dog client conversations: illiquidity. Alts tech firm iCapital believes it may have a solution with the introduction of a secondary market to allow investors to exit their positions. The firm’s Marco Bizzozero told Asian Private Banker more. “With a […]

The post A proper exit? iCapital brings secondaries to private wealth to unlock liquidity appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Janus Henderson Investors announced today the launch of a thematic global equity fund that will be available exclusively to HSBC clients, according to a statement shared with Asian Private Banker.  The actively managed fund, named the Janus Henderson Horizon Discovering New Alpha Fund (DNA), is a globally diversified portfolio of roughly 50 stocks focused on themes such as automation, mobility, […]

The post HSBC Private Bank secures exclusive on Janus Henderson’s new global equity fund appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

KGI is targeting US$1 billion in inflows for its recently onboarded Binance Coin-linked fund over the next two to three years as the firm elevates digital assets to a crucial value proposition to court high net worth clients. “Digital assets are becoming an integral part of our broader wealth strategy. They not only attract a new generation of investors but […]

The post Digital assets ‘integral’ to KGI’s wealth strategy as it targets US$1bn inflows appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private credit has moved from niche alternative to core portfolio anchor for Asia’s wealthy, as private banks increasingly embed the asset class into discretionary mandates to replace traditional fixed income. As allocations scale up, careful manager selection is becoming critical, with performance gaps widening across the field.  That shift is already evident in portfolio construction at major private banks. “Private credit […]

The post Private credit boom widens performance dispersion in Asia: J.P. Morgan PB and Nomura IWM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banking CIOs from Bank of Singapore, Lombard Odier and HSBC reveal their strategies going into 2026. Among the more popular calls are Asia, gold, and the broader AI ecosystem, betting on a Fed-driven weakening of the US dollar to fuel a rotation into faster-growing emerging markets.  While CIOs generally expect the US to avoid a recession, as a base […]

The post Asia, gold and AI lead CIO bets for 2026 amid weakening dollar appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

J.P. Morgan Private Bank (J.P. Morgan PB) is urging clients to make active management the foundation of their portfolios as markets continue to grapple with persistent macroeconomic pressures. Alejandro Gonzalez, the bank’s international head of fixed income and multi-asset investment research, said investors must remain attentive to the current inflation and interest rate landscape. He noted that “some of the biggest […]

The post “Biggest risks continue”: J.P. Morgan PB urges active management appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Even as the global economy was rocked by geopolitical flux and interest rate uncertainty throughout the year, Bank of Singapore’s fund selection chief defined 2025 as “a good year” in terms of client flows and performance across the board.  Significant growth has tracked across all asset classes, especially in the fixed income space, head of funds selection, Yazid Mahadi, told […]

The post Bank of Singapore eyes duration-hedged fixed income in streamlined fund shelf appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UBP has launched its first fund under the Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) framework to serve family offices and ultra high net worth (UHNW) clients. With the new fund, UBP aims to combine its investment capabilities with the flexibility of the VCC structure, the Swiss pure-play bank said in a statement on Wednesday. The investment strategy will be led by […]

The post UBP enters Singapore VCC space with debut fund for UHNW clients appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private banks and wealth managers in Southeast Asia are recalibrating their approach to alternative assets, sharpening risk models and stress-testing portfolios, as exit windows narrow and credit risk edges higher, experts at Bank of Singapore, BNP Paribas Wealth Management, Indosuez Wealth Management and HSBC Private Bank told Asian Private Banker. Across the region, the combination of sluggish IPO markets, muted M&A […]

The post Liquidity pressure in private markets? Private banks say yes appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Global Private Banking (HSBC GPB) onboarded income strategies this year amid periods of elevated volatility. The UK lender also looked to AI & disruptive tech and securitised credit strategies, while dropping some underperforming thematic funds. And with the sustainable funds market experiencing US$55 billion in global outflows, does HSBC hold onto its ESG conviction? Lina Lim, regional and Hong […]

The post HSBC GPB goes all in on AI and income: Lina Lim explains appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Private clients have a rapidly narrowing window to rotate out of cash and lock in yields before the Federal Reserve’s “easing bias” erodes income opportunities, according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s international chief investment officer, global fixed income, Iain Stealey. “In fixed income at the moment, we see a lot of opportunity. There’s definitely been a shift in sentiment over […]

The post Window to lock in yields closing, says J.P. Morgan AM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

J.P. Morgan AM (JPMAM) has expanded its strategic partnership with Kasikornbank (KBank) to bring its investment solutions to Thailand’s wealth segment through KBank’s wealth management brand, K Wealth, according to a statement today.  This latest partnership will grant KBank priority access to JPMAM’s investment solutions, market insights, and advisor training, with the two firms aiming to develop investment strategies for […]

The post JPMAM expands KBank partnership in Thai wealth push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Schroders has partnered with Krungthai Asset Management (KTAM) to roll out two catastrophe bond funds aimed at Thailand’s ultra high net worth (UHNW) investors, marking the latest move by global managers tapping into the country’s fast-expanding private wealth market. The open-ended funds, now available for ongoing subscription, are designed to give Thai UHNW individuals greater access to insurance-linked securities (ILS), […]

The post Schroders, Krungthai AM bring cat bond access to Thailand’s ultra-rich appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Swiss pure-play Pictet Wealth Management (Pictet WM) has been onboarding value and quantitative strategies to its product shelf, aiming to insulate clients from sharp market rotations. The large drawdowns many portfolios experienced since the 2022 correction were due to an over-reliance on growth stocks, explained Karen Tan, Pictet WM’s head of managed solutions, Asia. To mitigate this risk, her firm […]

The post Pictet WM adds AI-driven quant, value strategies to stay nimble appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Increasing allocations towards emerging market equities could provide another layer of diversification needed to weather current and future financial and macroeconomic challenges resulting from United States-led uncertainty. With the “Magnificent 7” US tech stocks now representing roughly 37% of the S&P 500, an increasing number of investors are sounding the alarm, cautioning that share prices – while having achieved upside […]

The post APB Summit 2025: UBS, Julius Baer fund selectors spotlight emerging market trends 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.

If there is one wealth market that warrants greater attention, it is China’s. The nation of 1.4 billion people currently has a total wealth of roughly US$91 trillion, making it the world’s second-largest holder of total household wealth after the United States, which maintains around US$163 trillion. The country’s ultra-wealthy, or the top 10%, alone make up nearly 68% of […]

The post APB Summit 2025: Standard Chartered, BNP Paribas on China’s changing investor risk appetite appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The US stock market has delivered three consecutive years of exceptional gains, a feat not achieved since the dotcom era, leaving some to wonder, can the party last? According to UOB Private Bank (UOB PB), there is still some way to go, with the Singaporean private bank upgrading equities from neutral to overweight for the fourth quarter. A combination of […]

The post Is the party over for US equities? UOB Private Bank thinks not 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.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management (BNP Paribas WM) has made a series of appointments and organisational updates to enhance its investment services capability in Asia. The French bank has aligned its two main investment service delivery channels—investment advisory for client-directed trades and discretionary portfolio management (DPM) for managed assets—into the broader context of an overall asset allocation approach, according to an […]

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EQT is taking a discerning approach to crack Asia’s vast and dynamic wealth market, looking to bring differentiated and complementary offerings to private banks and distributors across the region as competition heats up. After establishing distribution networks in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Australia since 2023, the Swedish private equity firm has expanded its footprint to Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, […]

The post EQT expands Asia wealth reach into Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The “One Bank” concept has become a central proposition for private banks in Asia, being widely adopted by international banks such as UBS and Goldman Sachs, as well as by regional private banks. While Morgan Stanley, too, adopts a ‘One Bank’ strategy, the US giant believes its central proposition is differentiated from its peers in its strategic emphasis on both […]

The post Morgan Stanley PWM reaps benefits of ‘integrated platform’ as deal flow returns appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore has onboarded a global macro hedge fund managed by PIMCO in a bid to shore up investor portfolio resilience amid anticipated market volatility in the near future. Asian Private Banker understands the fund was added to the OCBC wealth management arm’s platform in July, marking the first partnership between the two firms after discussions that began last […]

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As global markets wobble and interest rate cuts loom, Singapore’s money market and fixed income funds have become safe harbours for cautious investors. In the second quarter of 2025, fund flows into money market vehicles totalled S$2.8 billion (US$2.1 billion), accounting for nearly 60% of total inflows, while fixed income funds attracted just over S$918 million, according to FundSingapore/Morningstar. The […]

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With evergreen funds and numerous alternative managers flooding Asia, U/HNWs face a wealth of private market choices. For private banks, delivering real value means a discerning approach to manager selection. Jason Ng, Julius Baer’s alternatives specialist for Asia and the Middle East, explains how the Swiss bank selects partners and fine-tunes its alternatives platform. For Ng, the starting point is […]

The post To partner or pass? Julius Baer’s Jason Ng on private markets manager selection appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In a letter penned to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders in 1986, American investor Warren Buffett first and famously quoted: “Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful.” Referencing the market conditions that year, Buffett – a contrarian himself – posited that share price increases were likely driven by overexcitement instead of fundamentals. Sure enough, the Dow […]

The post Volatility fuels case for ‘contrarian’ plays, asset managers say appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The market dynamics seen this year could mean that there is no longer a single one-size-fits-all playbook that fund selectors can refer to when choosing funds and speaking to clients. Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, a declining US dollar, and the United States Federal Reserve announcing on 18 September interest rate cuts by 25 basis points in a bid to weather […]

The post FSN SG 2025: Citi, Morgan Stanley, and RBC’s portfolio allocation strategies amid rate cuts appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore rebooted its strategic asset allocation (SAA) framework in July of this year to help clients build more resilient and diversified portfolios to withstand market volatility. But does the new framework offer clients more value than competitor offerings? If so, how? And why now? Asian Private Banker sat down with the bank’s chief portfolio strategist, Dr. Owi Ruivivar, […]

The post What’s behind Bank of Singapore’s revamped SAA framework? Owi Ruivivar explains more appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

DBS Bank is advising clients to maintain portfolio diversification while adding selective exposure to emerging market assets to ride on potential Fed Reserve policy easing and the ensuing dollar weakness. The S&P 500 hit four record highs this month amid optimism on the development of artificial intelligence and anticipated interest rate cuts. Hou Wey Fook, the Singaporean bank’s chief investment […]

The post DBS CIO eyes EM upside on Fed cuts amid 32% valuation gap; further melt-up probability high appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

If there’s one asset class private bankers should be watching closely over the next few months, it’s gold, with silver following closely behind, experts at Nomura International Wealth Management and Jupiter Asset Management told Asian Private Banker. The price of gold has already increased by about 40% year to date. As of 17 September 2025, the spot price of gold stands […]

The post A golden opportunity? Up 40% YTD, private bankers should keep an eye on gold, experts say appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The United States may no longer be as exceptional as it once was – at least from a fund selection perspective. With the continued weakening of the US dollar and the perceived uncertainty that mega-cap companies are, in fact, overvalued, such factors, among many others, are casting an unnerving shadow over US-focused product offerings. This consternation is shaping investment strategies […]

The post FSN SG 2025: BoS, BNP Paribas, and UOB’s fund picks for US-led uncertainty appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UOB Private Bank (UOB PB) has begun offering an Asia-focused private equity evergreen strategy to its private banking clients. UOB PB says the new offering “fills the gap” on its product shelf by granting private investors access to Asia’s private equity market without long lock-up periods and expects strong fundraising. In partnership with US$958 billion alts firm Hamilton Lane, UOB […]

The post UOB PB offers clients first dibs on Hamilton Lane’s Asia evergreen fund appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

It can be argued that 2025 has been anything but predictable for private bank fund selectors. From the trade tariffs that wiped trillions off global equity markets in April, ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine – coupled with interest rate uncertainties in the United States amid a weakening US dollar – investors and fund selectors alike may […]

The post FSN HK 2025: HSBC, Nomura, J.P. Morgan fund selectors double down on resilience appeared first on Asian Private Banker.