This is a sponsored advertorial from Swiss-Asia Financial Services.

As wealth structuring practices become increasingly sophisticated and international, seasoned independent asset manager Don Toh shares why external asset management (EAM) in Singapore is a prime strategy for cross-border growth.

From private banking to true independence

After decades within premier global private banks, including Standard Chartered Private Bank and Credit Suisse, Don Toh decided to enter a new phase of his wealth management career and continue supporting his clients under the EAM model. 

“The modern high net worth individual, particularly the younger generations, expect tailored, unbiased advice, but within traditional banks, that’s not always possible,” he explained. 

Having advised ultra high net worth clients across Asia, Don experienced the limitations of the traditional private banking model: bureaucracy that thwarts innovation and misaligned incentives.

“The turning point for me was simple,” he said. “I wanted to represent my clients, not the bank. The independence I experience through EAM enables me to act purely in my clients’ best interests.”

Bridging independence and institutional strength

For private bankers seeking independence, the challenge lies in finding a credible partner with a pro-business mindset. Following exploratory conversations with various EAMs in Singapore, Don chose Swiss-Asia Financial Services, his foremost motivator being that “they understood my needs as an independent wealth manager.”  

Headquartered in Singapore and backed by over two decades of experience, Swiss-Asia Financial Services holds licenses from the Monetary Authority of Singapore for fund management and exempt financial advisory. Supported by a core team of 25, the company empowers wealth and fund managers to operate with entrepreneurial freedom. 

The firm offers privileged access to a wide network of custodians, brokers, legal and tax advisors, ensuring seamless delivery of end-to-end solutions for both clients and managers. Alongside its excellent infrastructure, Swiss-Asia Financial Services is highly regarded for its deliberate high-touch approach, its ability to anticipate needs, and its agility in conflict resolution. 

“That ecosystem is critical,” Don added. “It allows us to deliver holistic solutions without being tied to any single institution. Swiss-Asia gives you independence, without compromising on credibility, infrastructure, or global reach.”

Swiss-Asia Financial Services: A strategic partner for Taiwanese wealth

With an established track record of serving Taiwanese clients, Swiss-Asia Financial Services is solidifying itself as the partner of choice for Taiwanese wealth managers and family offices diversifying their domestic operations.

Swiss-Asia Financial Services also benefits from Taiwanese representation at the senior management level. Pying-Huan Wang, the company’s chief executive officer, was born in Switzerland to Taiwanese parents and brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to the firm. Drawing on her heritage and extensive network, she plays a pivotal role in strengthening relationships with Taiwanese clients and asset managers. In collaboration with Don, she co-organised a seminar in 2025 in partnership with Bloomberg, LCS & Partners, and Deloitte to educate Taiwanese audiences about Singapore’s mature wealth management industry.

Singapore EAMs are working to align their operational models with Taiwanese regulatory and tax considerations. “Our deep understanding of Taiwanese culture and wealth planning priorities positions Swiss-Asia Financial Services as a highly effective partner for Taiwanese families and asset managers seeking diversification opportunities,” Don opined.

A natural evolution for Taiwanese family offices

With the establishment of the Kaohsiung-based special economic zone in Taiwan, the wealth management landscape for Taiwanese onshore clients is evolving meaningfully. Concurrently, Taiwanese high net worth families are institutionalising their wealth preservation structures, driven by the need for geographic diversification, governance, and long-term succession planning.

Singapore’s tax framework remains highly attractive, with no capital gains tax and no inheritance tax, complemented by well-established incentive schemes. This is further reinforced by a politically stable, business-friendly environment underpinned by transparent regulations and rule of law. Singapore’s diverse population, with Mandarin and English widely spoken, creates a natural cultural bridge for Taiwanese families and wealth managers.

“Singapore offers a rare combination of stability, connectivity, and opportunity with compelling structural advantages for investors and managers alike,” said Don.

Championing trust in wealth management

“Today, I focus almost entirely on clients, leveraging the company’s sophisticated ecosystem to construct highly customised portfolios,” Don shared. “Clients see there is no hidden agenda.  When clients understand that you are fully aligned with them, the relationship changes completely.”

For over two decades, Swiss-Asia Financial Services has supported clients across the full spectrum of family office structuring needs, seamlessly coordinating multi-generational succession with expertise in investment advisory, tax incentive frameworks, and cross-border solutions.

We welcome confidential discussions with professionals seeking to elevate their practice within an established and reputable partner.

This is a sponsored advertorial from Swiss-Asia Financial Services.