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.

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.

As the private credit boom is hitting a major speed bump, the ripples are being felt from Wall Street to Asia. The private credit slowdown intensified sharply in April as US Business Development Company (BDC) fundraising plunged to its lowest monthly total since mid-2023. According to Robert A. Stanger & Company, a consecutive monthly slide has dragged year-to-date inflows down […]

The post Wealth investors eye infra rotation as private credit pullback deepens appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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.

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.

Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) more than doubled its net new money (NNM) in North Asia for 2025 while capturing surging brokerage and wealth planning revenues, North Asia region head and Hong Kong CEO Teresa Lee told Asian Private Banker. Revenue for the North Asia business grew nearly 15% yoy in Swiss franc terms, driven by brokerage fees — which accounted […]

The post UBP doubles North Asia NNM as brokerage and wealth planning surge appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Citi Private Bank has promoted a managing director to a market executive role. Sarah Courtney Dockett has been named market executive for the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand at Citi PB, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Dockett joined Citi PB in 2011 and brings more than 25 years of experience in ultra high net worth client advisory, franchise development and strategic […]

The post Citi PB names market executive for Philippines, Australia, New Zealand appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Onshore Thailand client portfolios have shifted toward global and alternative investments, prompting private banks to expand their offerings and strengthen relationships with global managers to meet rising demand. Speaking at Asian Private Banker‘s Thailand Global Wealth Summit 2026, with over 150 attendees, leaders in Thailand’s private banking space focused their discussion on the evolution of the typical private banking client […]

The post Thai private banks race to meet demand for global, alts investments 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.

Raffles Family Office has hired two wealth planning heads for Greater China and Southeast Asia.  Based in Hong Kong, Daniel Lai has joined the US$2 billion AUM multi-family office firm as an executive director, head of wealth planning, Greater China. Lai began his role today, according to an internal memo seen by Asian Private Banker. He will focus on cross-border […]

The post Raffles Family Office hires wealth planning heads in Hong Kong, Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

China’s persistent real estate market slump is pushing wealthy Chinese individuals to demand liquidity like never before, Benny Chong, chairman of VMS Group, told Asian Private Banker. This, coupled with the nation’s weaker economy, ongoing US-China trade tensions, and the Middle East conflict, has made high net worth Chinese investors more risk-averse. It also underscores why family office firms must […]

The post Hong Kong MFO shifts to liquid alts amid UHNW liquidity push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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.

As the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed and oil prices remain elevated, the Middle East conflict has exposed the fragility of the global energy supply. The tensions also underline how renewable energy infrastructure and specifically private capital could address such crises, says David Chang, managing director, head of Asia wealth at Macquarie Asset Management. “It is a simple demand‑and‑supply […]

The post Private capital key to closing US$106tn infra gap, says Macquarie wealth head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Bank has made a senior appointment to its private banking business, Asian Private Banker has learnt Effective 1 June 2026, Eric Li will assume the role of market head for Hang Seng Private Banking, reporting to Theodore Mak, head of retail distribution at Hang Seng Bank, according to an internal announcement seen by APB. In response […]

The post Hang Seng Private Banking appoints HSBC veteran as market head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Singapore’s move to shorten private bank account opening times from around six weeks to four is a positive development for the industry. As a leading wealth management hub and key booking centre alongside Hong Kong and Dubai, Singapore plays an important role for private banks serving global and ultra high net worth clients. Faster onboarding can improve client experience and […]

The post Singapore speeds up private bank onboarding — but can scrutiny keep pace? 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.

The Carlyle Group has set its sights beyond the traditional wealth hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore, identifying Taiwan and Thailand as key regional growth targets for 2026, according to Brad McCarthy, head of Asia Pacific for Carlyle Global Wealth.  “In Taiwan, we see a regulatory tailwind driven by a desire to develop the onshore market — one we are […]

The post Carlyle eyes Taiwan and Thailand for 2026 expansion appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A veteran senior executive at Bank of Singapore is set to depart the lender after a tenure spanning nearly 19 years, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Rodney Sin, who is currently vice chair for ultra high net worth client coverage, is retiring from the bank, sources familiar with the matter told APB. Bank of Singapore confirmed Sin’s retirement. “We would […]

The post Bank of Singapore vice chair for UHNW coverage Rodney Sin retires appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Since the start of the year, the private banking industry in Singapore and Hong Kong has recorded more than 150 senior executive departures, according to Asian Private Banker data. Many of these exits involve senior bankers and investment specialists moving directly to rival firms or transitioning into asset management roles. That marks a sharp increase from the same period last […]

The post Bottom Line: Over 150 senior exits — is ‘retention’ private banking’s weak spot? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

More stringent regulatory compliance checks are stretching account opening times for North Asian clients in Singapore to upwards of six months, yet independent wealth managers report that capital inflows show no signs of slowing. Compliance requirements such as know-your-customer (KYC) and supporting documentation, for example, can appear especially frustrating for first-generation wealth owners, Vincent Ming, co-founder of Azura Partners, told […]

The post Singapore tightens KYC, yet wealthy Chinese capital shows no retreat appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian Private Banker honoured the winners of the Technology Awards 2025 at a celebratory event today, recognising the firms driving innovation in the region’s private banking and wealth management space. As wealth management undergoes rapid transformation in Asia, this year’s winners were chosen for their efforts to modernise platforms, reduce operational friction, and prioritise the client experience. With categories such […]

The post Asian Private Banker recognises digital leadership at 2025 Technology Awards appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Imagine an important client representing a substantial family office calls. They want a structured product, a tailored bet on a few shares they follow, built to pay more than cash if those shares hold firm or rise in value. Not so long ago, finding the structured product that matched a client’s precise needs was a headache. An RM might spend […]

The post In structured products, FinIQ wants AI to say “this is the trade” appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In the summer of 2015, as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index surged 60% in a liquidity-fuelled “junk rally,” Anthony Wong found himself in a rare position for a long-only fund manager: he was lagging behind. Wong was referring to the 2015 A-share frenzy, when RMB 2.2 trillion (US$354 billion) in margin debt with brokerages fuelled a 150% market surge in […]

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

LGT has hired several former private wealth professionals at China Merchant Bank International (CMBI) in Hong Kong, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Liu Jihu, Yang Peng, Dong Ting, and Li Yipan have recently joined the Liechtensteinian boutique private bank, sources told APB. Their HKMA licenses with LGT took effect recently. LGT declined to comment when contacted by APB. APB has […]

The post LGT hires former CMBI bankers in Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As women assume central roles in family wealth succession in China, HSBC Private Bank is sharpening its focus on this strategic client base, which has traditionally been underserved by the wealth industry. “These women are not passive beneficiaries; they are active decision-makers who demand clarity, structure, and real-world execution,” said Edith Wong, head of the southern region for the private […]

The post HSBC PB bets on women as key drivers of family wealth in China appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Independent wealth managers in Australia have been propelled by the downsizing of wealth businesses at the country’s Big Four following findings of systemic misconduct in 2019. Since then, by targeting an underserved ‘forgotten middle’ of high net worth (HNW) clients, one such firm, Koda Capital, has amassed A$16.5 billion (US$11.9 billion) in AUM. When veteran operators Paul Heath, Steve Tucker […]

The post Koda Capital nets US$11.9bn as Australia’s HNWs look beyond Big Four appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Three decades ago, Paul Chua, now the head of family office and wealth advisory at Bank of Singapore, avoided the word “death” when consulting with clients. At the time, the subject was considered a conversational third rail in the world of private wealth. Today, that cultural barrier has largely dissolved. A shift is underway in the industry as high net […]

The post Bank of Singapore wealth planning hits record as insurance take-up doubles appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

J.P. Morgan Private Bank (J.P. Morgan PB) has promoted an internal talent to a senior investment management role, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Xinhui Su was appointed as head of portfolio solutions for Asia, reporting to Joshua Lewin, the bank’s head of investment strategy for Asia. J.P. Morgan PB confirmed Su’s appointment to APB. In the team, which was rebranded […]

The post J.P. Morgan PB appoints head of portfolio solutions for Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

It’s Q1 results season, and while the usual financial metrics naturally take centre stage, one thing that caught my attention this time was the way private banks report net new assets (NNA) versus net new money (NNM). On the surface, it sounds straightforward. But the more you look into it, the clearer it becomes that these terms are both clear […]

The post Bottom Line: NNM or NNA? What counts as ‘new’ money appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Following a period of stagnation fuelled by the pandemic and a cooling Chinese market, private banks in Asia are resuming active hiring as wealth creation in the world’s second-largest economy regains momentum. However, competition for talent is also intensifying, with professionals with Mainland China experience in particular demand. Alongside increasingly competitive pay packages, banks are broadening their hiring criteria and […]

The post “China has been red hot”: Private banks in “high stakes talent war” for Mainland talent appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A desk head for the Taiwan offshore market has resigned from HSBC Private Bank, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Hong Kong-based Kendrick Lee is leaving the UK lender, according to sources familiar with the matter. HSBC declined to comment. Lee was part of the Taiwan offshore team under Eng Chien Chan, the former market head for Taiwan, who left HSBC Private […]

The post HSBC Private Bank Taiwan desk head resigns  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$200bn market: Julius Baer’s Rishabh Saksena appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A former senior investment executive at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in Asia has joined HSBC Asset Management (HSBC AM), Asian Private Banker has learnt. Hong Kong-based Yvonne Leung, who was most recently the US bank’s head of managed solutions for Asia, has taken up the role of head of multi-asset investment specialists for Asia at HSBC AM, sources told APB. In her new […]

The post Ex-J.P.Morgan PB Asia fund selection head joins HSBC AM  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

An increase in private wealth in Taiwan, underpinned by the booming semiconductor market, has prompted private banks to scramble to meet the growing demand for first-rate onshore wealth management, spurring many to kick-start their digitalisation efforts or fall behind their peers. The TAIEX, the main index of Taiwan’s stock exchange, is up 42% YTD, outperforming the S&P 500’s 9.2% YTD […]

The post Taiwan private banks ramp up digital push amid chip-fuelled wealth boom appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

While several private banks have chosen to divest their trust businesses, Kotak Mahindra stuck to its guns in the belief that trusts would become the key vehicle for legacy planning in India’s growing wealth market. Kotak first unveiled a wealth management business in 2004. A year later, it established a dedicated trust business, Kotak Mahindra Trusteeship Services (KMTSL), and hired Gautami […]

The post Kotak’s US$5.4bn trust business bucks private banking divestment trend 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.

A senior investment executive has departed Citi Wealth in Hong Kong, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Ken Peng, head of investment strategy for Asia at the US bank, recently left the firm, according to sources familiar with the matter. Citi has confirmed the departure. Peng’s next move could not be ascertained at the time of reporting. Peng joined Citi Private Bank in […]

The post Citi Wealth’s Asia investment strategy head Ken Peng departs 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.

Singapore’s Variable Capital Company (VCC) structure has become a key pillar of the city-state’s fund management ecosystem, widely used by fund managers and family offices to organise investments with flexibility and legal segregation between sub-funds. Since its launch in 2020, adoption has expanded rapidly, reaching about 1,200 VCCs by March 2025 and managed by roughly 600 regulated financial institutions. But […]

The post Bottom Line: Singapore turns up the heat on VCCs — what went wrong 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.

When Rajmohan Krishnan picked up his first paycheque in 1993, India was a different place. A liberal-minded premier, PV Narasimha Rao, was reforming a fragile economy. The country’s first private lender, IndusInd Bank, wouldn’t open for business for another 12 months. Anyone with wealth and ambition moved to Hong Kong, London or New York. He moved up the financial value […]

The post India’s wealth dilemma: Who grinds, who inherits and who squanders appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

A senior private banking executive will depart Bank of China (Hong Kong), Asian Private Banker has learnt. Judy Chan, private banking market head for China, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, is leaving the lender, sources told APB. Bank of China (HK) has been contacted for comment. APB has been unable to determine Chan’s next career move. Chan joined the Chinese […]

The post Bank of China (HK) private banking market head to depart appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The post-bonus exodus intensified in April, following the wave of exits in March. Bank of Singapore was among the hardest hit, with numerous market and team leaders parting ways with the bank. The top moves in the private banking industry in April included the resignation of Reto Marx, co-head of the Singapore branch and chief risk officer for Asia at […]

The post Movers & Shakers: Who’s in, who’s out, and what’s next for Bank of Singapore? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The US-Israeli joint military offensive on 28 February 2026 has significantly cooled the war for talent in the Middle East, as private banking candidates hesitate to make long-term commitments to the region. While banks remain committed to aggressive expansion targets, the record-breaking momentum of the first two months of 2026 is now meeting a new layer of candidate hesitation. January […]

The post Geopolitics stalls Middle East talent war as candidates think twice appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Asian Private Banker has entered a new market at a timely moment. Taiwan is moving beyond its identity as a technology hub and is becoming an increasingly important wealth market in Asia.  With our inaugural Taipei Global Wealth Summit, APB brought together more than 450 delegates, marking our entry into a market attracting interest from private banks, asset managers, and […]

The post Bottom Line: APB breaks new ground in a key North Asian wealth hub appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A former senior private banking executive at Bank of Singapore is set to join EFG, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Dubai-based Ranjit Khanna will take up a senior role at EFG, sources told APB. EFG declined to comment when contacted by APB. Khanna is a wealth management and private banking veteran with over three decades of industry experience. He was […]

The post Former Bank of Singapore executive Ranjit Khanna to join EFG appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Maybank Private is leaning into the ongoing migration of manufacturing across Southeast Asia to fuel its growth, as the firm seeks to institutionalise its internal referral engine across the ASEAN corridor. Maybank Private has assets under management (AUM) of US$30.2 billion in Asia as of end-2025, up 29.1% from US$23.4 billion in 2024, and ranks 20th in APB‘s 2025 AUM […]

The post ASEAN industrial migration drives Maybank Private’s 29% AUM growth 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.

A senior executive at Standard Chartered Private Bank (Standard Chartered PB) will soon retire after nearly a decade-long tenure with the British lender, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Vivian Chan, global vice chairman at Standard Chartered PB, will retire from the bank, sources told APB. Standard Chartered PB confirmed Chan’s upcoming retirement, adding her last day with the bank will be on […]

The post StanChart PB’s global vice chairman to retire appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian Private Banker held the inaugural Taipei Global Wealth Summit this Tuesday, drawing more than 500 delegates for a day of high-level discussions on Taiwan’s fast-evolving financial landscape. In its inaugural edition, the summit comes at a time when Taiwan’s wealth management sector is undergoing a strategic transformation, supported by a wave of government reforms. It also coincides with a […]

The post APB debuts Taipei Global Wealth Summit amid AI-driven wealth surge appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Bank of Singapore is shifting back into “aggressive” recruitment mode for 2026, betting that its investments in its talent and platform will bring a “second year of harvesting” for its Greater China business. The Singapore-based lender’s Greater China AUM grew by more than 20% year-on-year, with UHNW assets increasing by 50% in 2025. Revenue growth was over 25%, driven by […]

The post Bank of Singapore to resume “aggressive” hiring as Greater China UHNW assets jump 50% appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Lombard Odier is continuing its Asia regional push with a senior hire, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Singapore-based Edwin Tan will join Lombard Odier as market head for Southeast Asia, reporting to Omar Shokur, regional head of private clients, Asia, effective 13 July 2026, the firm confirmed. “Edwin will be responsible for launching and leading a new Southeast Asia market […]

The post Lombard Odier hires ex-DBS PB Thailand and Philippines head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Hong Leong Bank (HLB) plans to double its relationship manager (RM) headcount in Malaysia over the next 18 months as the lender pivots to an advisory-led model for ultra high net worth (UHNW) clients. “Specifically on RMs, we also want to be quite deliberate. I plan to double the RM account in Malaysia in the next 18 months,” Jeffrey Yap, […]

The post Hong Leong Bank to double Malaysia RMs in advisory, tech pivot appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

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

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

Asian Private Banker’s 2025 AUM League Tables point to an industry in the midst of an identity shift. On the surface, it was a record year, with Asia’s private banking AUM crossing US$4 trillion. But beneath the headline figure, the composition of growth tells a more complicated story, one where scale is expanding faster than structural change. Discretionary portfolio management […]

The post Bottom Line: Size vs skill — Who wins when private banking splits in two? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank has delivered two consecutive years of high double-digit growth in net new assets and revenue, supported by productivity gains and a more selective hiring approach, even as senior departures continue across the industry. Under Lok Yim, HSBC PB’s Asia Pacific head, the bank has shifted away from rapid expansion toward more measured, longer-term growth, with corresponding adjustments […]

The post “I’m hiring for attitude”: Lok Yim on HSBC Private Bank’s long-term reset appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Deutsche Bank Private Bank’s discretionary portfolio management (DPM) business in Asia Pacific continued to grow in 2025, supported by both market gains and sustained inflows into managed solutions amid higher volatility. DPM assets in the region rose to US$6.8 billion, up from US$5 billion in 2024, according to APB data. “We had a pretty good year in DPM. We are […]

The post “Pretty good year”: Jacky Tang unpacks Deutsche Bank’s DPM push in APAC appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Having drafted UBS’s first private banking e-business strategy in 2001, Wiwi Gutmannsbauer has witnessed the development of a 25-year strategy that continues to drive the bank’s digital transformation efforts today. “Going to a bank should not be like going to a dentist. It should be an interaction that is convenient, fast, and tailored to what clients really need,” said the […]

The post Agentification and Lego blocks? Inside UBS’s digital transformation appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

The post Family offices must prioritise governance over gains, says Landmark CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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.

Pictet Wealth Management (Pictet WM) has hired an industry veteran to strengthen its investment capabilities, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Based in Singapore, Kelvin Tay is joining the Swiss pure play in the same capacity as regional CIO, sources told APB. Pictet WM declined to comment. Tay is a seasoned wealth management professional with extensive investment experience. He was most […]

The post Pictet WM hires former UBS GWM regional CIO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia’s private banking AUM has crossed the US$4 trillion mark, according to Asian Private Banker‘s 2025 League Tables. With J.P. Morgan Private Bank entering the top three for the first time and Nomura International Wealth Management (IWM) making its debut in the tables, the 2025 rankings saw widespread movements. J.P. Morgan Private Bank led this growth with a 41% increase […]

The post Asia 2025 AUM League Tables: Assets cross US$4tn, JPM enters top three, Nomura debuts appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia’s private banking AUM reached US$4 trillion Aggressive growth reshapes the pecking order Asia’s private banking assets under management (AUM) surged to an unprecedented peak in 2025. Growing at an average of 23%, the latest rankings highlight powerful momentum and a new baseline for competition. A familiar name has entered the table, while another has made a historic leap into […]

The post AUM Tables Asia 2025 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Two senior executives have left DBS Private Bank in Hong Kong, Asian Private Banker has learnt.  Gloria Sun, a senior market head in the bank’s North Asia team in Hong Kong, has recently resigned, sources told APB. Separately, Daryl Wong, another Hong Kong-based senior market head covering the Greater China market, has left the bank. His license relating to his […]

The post Two senior market heads depart DBS Private Bank in Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The Asian Private Banker team was in Shanghai last week to celebrate the winners of the 2025 China Wealth Awards — recognising the firms and individuals who have gone the extra mile to deliver thoughtful, responsible wealth management solutions, and create meaningful value for China’s most affluent individuals, families and their businesses. Among the winners, Agricultural Bank of China Private […]

The post Bottom Line: China’s wealth boom enters a more demanding phase appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A Singapore-based senior executive is set to leave Liechtenstein-headquartered boutique private bank VP Bank after a seven-year tenure, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Reto Marx, co-head of the Singapore branch and chief risk officer for Asia at VP Bank, has resigned and will soon leave the bank, sources told APB.  VP Bank confirmed Marx’s departure to APB and added that […]

The post VP Bank’s co-head of Singapore to exit appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Wealth in India is no longer concentrated in a handful of big cities. It’s being created and amassed not just in tier-one hubs like Mumbai and Delhi, but in dozens of smaller cities once considered backwaters. Private banks and wealth managers are following the money, setting up shop in places they once ignored. Wealth management coverage in India used to […]

The post Why India’s private banks are chasing hidden regional wealth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asian Private Banker successfully hosted the China Wealth Awards 2025 gala dinner in Shanghai on Thursday, gathering the brightest minds in China’s private banking and wealth management industry. Against a glittering backdrop, the event brought together about 140 industry leaders and offered high-level networking, insightful discussion, and formal recognition of industry-leading excellence. Beyond celebrating individual and institutional success, the gala […]

The post APB’s 8th China Wealth Awards brings together industry leaders in Shanghai appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The market head for Thailand and the Philippines at DBS Private Bank is set to depart the Singapore-based lender, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Edwin Tan has resigned from DBS Private Bank, with the bank confirming his departure. Tan has over two decades of experience in wealth management and private banking. He joined DBS Private Bank in 2024 from UBS, […]

The post DBS Private Bank’s Thailand and Philippines market head resigns appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

US-headquartered data and AI platform Addepar is stepping up its push into Asia-Pacific, opening a regional headquarters in Marina Bay Financial Centre as it looks to tap rising demand from family offices and asset managers. The firm currently serves around 50 clients in the region, according to CEO Eric Poirier, with its base largely made up of single-family offices and independent asset managers. These […]

The post US data and AI platform opens Singapore hub as family offices drive growth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

UBS Global Wealth Management is doubling down on philanthropy in Asia Pacific, identifying Australia and Japan as its primary growth engines for 2026.  As part of this regional push, the Swiss banking giant has launched its donor-advised fund (DAF) in Australia in February, aiming to capture a larger slice of the nation’s rapidly evolving private wealth market. The Australia launch […]

The post UBS rolls out donor-advised fund in Australia, eyes Japan growth  appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Barclays Private Bank has tasked a long-term internal talent to lead its business growth in Singapore, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Alexander Harrison has been appointed as the interim head of private bank for Singapore at Barclays, sources told APB. A spokesperson for Barclays confirmed Harrison’s appointment to APB. The appointment comes as Evonne Tan, the current Singapore head of […]

The post Barclays Private Bank appoints interim Singapore head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Forget simple wills. For ASEAN ultra high net worth individuals, succession planning has morphed into a multi-jurisdictional arms race where common law trusts and civil law heirship rules run into direct conflict against a backdrop of 11 different legal systems and a combined GDP exceeding US$3.6 trillion. “Succession and transition conversations have become multi-faceted, shaped by asset situs, tax residency, […]

The post J.P Morgan, Indosuez, Julius Baer on Southeast Asia’s $3.6tn wealth puzzle 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.

A surge in demand from mainland Chinese investors is fuelling rapid growth in structured products at BNP Paribas Wealth Management, as clients seek higher yields and more transparent alternatives to domestic offerings. A significant driver behind the recent uptick is a new wave of mainland clients entering fixed-income structures, who accounted for the majority of new inflows in 2025, according to Gabriel […]

The post Mainland flows drive BNP Paribas WM’s structured products boom appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This week, we will announce the winners of the 2025 Asian Private Banker Technology Awards, spotlighting the most impactful innovations shaping Asia’s rapidly evolving financial technology landscape. We saw innovation at its most comprehensive, showcasing private banking technology that spans the full client journey, from end-to-end portfolio management to holistic total wealth frameworks, and increasingly, multi-dimensional views of a client’s […]

The post Bottom Line: Honouring wealth tech innovation. Questioning what’s next. appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

With hiring slowing down in March, the private banking industry saw a spike in exits over the past month, with retail-linked banks bearing the brunt of the turnover. Besides these departures, key moves for the month include former Citi Wealth head of partnerships and relationship management, Julie Koo, resurfacing at Allianz as head of distribution for Asia Pacific. Former UOB […]

The post Movers & Shakers: Wave of departures sets stage for next phase of talent war appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered Private Bank has hired a senior banker to strengthen its team in Hong Kong, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Lai Fai Yeung recently joined the emerging markets-focused lender as a team leader, reporting to Kenny Wan, market head for Greater China, sources told APB. Standard Chartered Private Bank confirmed Lai’s role to APB. Lai has nearly two decades […]

The post StanChart PB hires former senior Citi private banker in Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Citi Private Bank has tasked one of its market executives to strengthen its Southeast Asia coverage, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Singapore-based Lillian Liao, who was a market executive for China at the US lender, recently took on additional responsibilities to cover the Malaysia and Singapore markets, sources familiar with the matter told APB. Citi Private Bank confirmed Liao’s appointment covering […]

The post Citi PB strengthens Singapore-Malaysia coverage in regional push appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

A seasoned wealth management veteran in Singapore is set to move from Julius Baer to Bank of Singapore, Asian Private Banker can reveal. According to sources familiar with the matter, Vi Sun Yang, the Swiss private bank’s market head for Southeast Asia, will leave the firm to join Bank of Singapore. She is understood to be taking on a Singapore […]

The post SEA market head leaves Julius Baer for Bank of Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

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

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

Vietnam’s newly wealthy are beginning to hand control of their assets to professional managers, creating a vast new opportunity for firms such as Dragon Capital, the country’s largest independent wealth manager. Dominic Scriven, chairman and co-founder, says the shift has accelerated over the past year. “One of the most gratifying surprises of the last 12 months… is the number of […]

The post Succession and investor pivot spark Vietnam’s wealth boom appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management (PWM) division in Asia recorded a revenue increase of over 20% in 2025, largely driven by ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients, with assets under management (AUM) reaching new highs. Asian Private Banker spoke with Vincent Chui, head of wealth management for Asia Pacific, to understand the firm’s next steps. Chui said sustaining growth will depend on a […]

The post Vincent Chui’s Asia playbook for Morgan Stanley PWM’s next surge appeared first on Asian Private Banker.