From record North Asia flows and the resumption of full-force hiring to digital assets and evergreen funds, Asian Private Banker looks back at the big stories that dominated headlines in 2025. 1. Hong Kong’s comeback: Record North Asia wealth flows Asia’s private banks experienced unprecedented growth in North Asia, with Hong Kong’s wealth industry bouncing back to near pre-pandemic levels, making the city […]

The post APB Wrapped: The top 10 Asia private banking trends in 2025 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Indosuez Wealth Management (Indosuez WM) has appointed a new head of North Asia. Chua See Piu will oversee business development for Indosuez WM’s North Asia region across markets including China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. He began his role on 28 October 2025 and is based in Singapore. Chua previously held senior private banking and investment advisory roles at BNP Paribas […]

The post Indosuez WM adds to talent roster with North Asia head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

DBS Private Bank (DBS PB) aims to expand its headcount in North Asia, targeting 40 new relationship managers (RMs) in 2025, and continuing its strong growth momentum in Hong Kong following its hiring push last year. The bank’s asset under management (AUM) in the city increased by 20% while net new money surged by 130% year-on-year in the first five […]

The post DBS PB hits 130% NNM in Hong Kong, targets 40 RM hires appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Global Private Banking (GPB) has announced leadership changes for North Asia, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Subjecting to regulatory approval, Bryce Wan, market head for North Asia, will become market head for Hong Kong in April, according to an internal memo seen by Asian Private Banker.  Rachel Wei, who was previously appointed Hong Kong market head in 2018, will take […]

The post HSBC GPB reshuffles North Asia leadership appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Credit Suisse has extended its North Asia hiring spree with a second market team leader for Greater China Singapore and several senior banker appointments, according to an internal memo seen by Asian Private Banker. Stella Lau has rejoined the bank as market leader for Private Banking Greater China Singapore, effective 23 August. She will be co-leading the team with John […]

The post Credit Suisse makes a slew of senior appointments for North Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The effort made by Deutsche Bank Wealth Management to optimise its onboarding process has yielded results: newly joined RMs are able to open client accounts and move assets with greater ease, despite pandemic-induced restrictions on in-person meetings with clients. Deutsche Bank’s determination to overhaul its onboarding process began in 2018 after an Asian Private Banker COO roundtable. Lok Yim, Deutsche […]

The post More new clients, significant NNA: Deutsche Bank WM reaps the fruits of its onboarding transformation appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Under the leadership of Eric Morin, Union Bancaire Privée’s North Asia franchise is making deep inroads into the subregion’s coveted UHNW segment. How? Morin, UBP’s head of North Asia and Hong Kong branch chief executive, tells Asian Private Banker it’s all about product diversity, close collaboration with the bank’s asset management arm, and smart hiring — and the progress shows […]

The post UBP’s Eric Morin: “Real progress” appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Asia is poised to be the brighter spot as the global economy recovers from COVID-19 in 2021, according to Nomura. Asia will enter a “reflation” and Asian currencies may appreciate against the US dollar. The equity rally in North Asia will likely persist and price in the region’s effective response to COVID-19. The Japanese bank posted an optimistic outlook for […]

The post Risk premia allocated to North Asian equities are too high: Nomura appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered Private Bank kept its 3Q20 profits in positive territory despite a slight downturn. Greater China and North Asia spearheaded a recovery as business capacities in the region almost returned to levels before the global pandemic hit. Profit turnaround During 3Q20, the British lender’s wealth management business underwent a recovery with a marked 16% YoY increase in income, though […]

The post StanChart PB profit stabilises; Greater China/North Asia almost back to pre-COVID level appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Despite the uncertain economic environment and a large business impact left by COVID-19, a majority of finance professionals in North Asia remain confident about their job security for the next six months. According to a survey conducted by recruitment firm Selby Jennings, 60% of employees foresee a worsening economic situation in the next 12 months. Yet, 63% are still confident […]

The post Finance professionals confident on job security in the face of gloomy economic outlook appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Capital Group has named a new marketing director to lead its financial intermediary marketing business in both Hong Kong and North Asia. Reporting to Hannah Aymé, managing director, financial intermediaries marketing, Europe and Asia, Debbie Fok will lead Capital Group’s financial intermediary marketing strategy in Hong Kong, raising awareness among investors of the firm’s brand and range of Luxembourg-domiciled funds. […]

The post Capital Group names new marketing director for intermediary business for North Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Indosuez Wealth Management has internally recruited to replace its current Hong Kong CEO, who is retiring after three decades with the group. Olivier Livenais has today been named chief executive officer of the Indosuez Wealth Management Hong Kong branch. He will be in charge of leading the firm’s Hong Kong and North Asia business and will report to Omar Shokur, […]

The post Indosuez WM replaces outgoing HK CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the Sino-US trade negotiations linger on, some Mainland Chinese entrepreneurs are considering expanding their business into ASEAN countries to diversify risks and avoid the impact of possible economic sanctions from the US. In an interview with Asian Private Banker, Teresa Lee, Bank of Singapore managing director and market head of Greater China and North Asia, asserted that Bank of […]

The post BoS prepped to capture Chinese HNWIs as they expand to ASEAN appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Deutsche Bank has appointed the head for its China onshore wealth management business, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Jeffrey Peng has joined Deutsche Bank Wealth Management from Bank of Singapore as Shanghai-based managing director and head of China onshore. He is responsible for developing and executing the bank’s onshore expansion strategies and advising on Greater China for Deutsche Bank’s North […]

The post DB WM makes China inroads with hire of onshore head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Banking has hired a senior advisor from UBS Global Wealth Management to its family office advisory service in North Asia, Asian Private Banker has learnt. Aik-Ping Ng has joined HSBC’s Private Wealth Solutions (PWS) division as head of family office advisory, North Asia and family governance advisor. Based in Hong Kong, he reports to Connie Ho, head of family governance […]

The post HSBC PB nets senior family office advisor from UBS GWM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Gone are the days when Bank of Singapore leaned hard on its ‘pure play’ branding in a market dominated by large integrated lenders. Today, it is at pains to play up its intragroup capabilities — and nowhere more so than in Greater China, where Bank of Singapore as part of the wider OCBC Group, feels it has the most room […]

The post Bank of Singapore sheds ‘pure play’ skin as Tan plots Greater China growth appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The investment counsellor (IC) lead for Greater China and North Asia at Bank of Singapore has resigned from the bank, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Tom Chen, executive director and IC lead for Greater China and North Asia, is currently serving notice after nearly five years with the Singaporean lender. Asian Private Banker understands that arrangements have been made within Chen’s team to […]

The post IC lead for Greater China and North Asia exits Bank of Singapore appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As competition for China’s wealth management pie heats up amongst foreign players, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management has set clearly defined targets for asset gathering and hiring, according to Kanas Chan, the bank’s head of wealth management, North Asia. “We aim to double our assets under management in North Asia in the coming three years, building upon a year-on-year AUM growth […]

The post Deutsche Bank WM looks to double North Asia AUM in three years appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Amid a raft of hires for its North Asia team, Deutsche Bank Wealth Management has appointed a former team head from DBS Private Bank to take on the role of managing director and group head, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Jackie Lit has been named managing director and group head for the German lender’s North Asia team, reporting to Kanas Chan, head of […]

The post Deutsche Bank WM bolsters North Asia team with group head and front office hires appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

When Benjamin Cavalli and François Monnet took up the reins of Credit Suisse’s Asia Pacific private banking franchise late last year as heads of South Asia and North Asia, respectively, the industry was quick to ask how the bifurcated leadership structure would further promote integration and agility at a bank recognised for its unitary approach to business. At the time […]

The post Credit Suisse’s Cavalli and Monnet expect new leadership structure to increase PB potency appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Banking has appointed a new North Asia head of Private Wealth Solutions (PWS), as part of its efforts to expand its trust-related services and in anticipation of the region’s major intergenerational wealth transfer. Cynthia Lee has joined the private bank as head of PWS, North Asia, effective 14 January. In her new role, she will support clients across the […]

The post HSBC PB appoints Private Wealth Solutions North Asia head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A Singapore-based market head for North Asia, Hong Kong, at HSBC Private Banking has stepped down from his role, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Tim Yu is no longer with HSBC Private Banking, where he was a market head for the bank’s Hong Kong coverage. He was based in Singapore. A spokesperson for the bank declined to comment on Yu’s […]

The post HSBC Private Banking loses North Asia market head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered Private Bank has made another addition to its Greater China and North Asia (GCNA) business with the appointment of a Singapore-based managing director, the bank said in a statement today. Michelle Ho has joined the bank as managing director, GCNA. Ho reports to Teddy Kwong, market head for GCNA, and Andrew Ho, market head for South & Southeast […]

The post StanChart PB adds another MD to Greater China and North Asia team appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In February this year, EFG announced that it will acquire private bank BSI from BTG Pactual for US$1.34 billion. The deal should catapult EFG into the big leagues by making it one of Switzerland’s largest private banks with around CHF170 billion (US$176 billion) in assets under management (AUM). It should also bring scale to EFG’s Asia business, according to the […]

The post Straight Talk: Albert Chiu, chief executive, Asia Pacific, EFG Bank appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Pictet Wealth Management has undergone a management restructure, splitting the roles of Hong Kong and Asia CEO, in what the Swiss pure play calls a reaction to “increased business growth” in Asia. Sharon Chou has absorbed the new title of Hong Kong CEO, in addition to her existing roles of Pictet Wealth Management North Asia CEO and executive officer of […]

The post Pictet splits leadership role, names new Hong Kong CEO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Facing squeezed margins and tough competition, RBC Wealth Management is looking to consolidate its platforms in Hong Kong and Singapore into a single platform, Asian Private Banker has learnt.  According to individuals who are close to the matter, RBC Wealth Management is doing this to increase efficiencies and slash operating costs. “The idea is to leverage Hong Kong’s brokerage model and Singapore’s private […]

The post RBC Wealth Management to consolidate platforms in Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Over the first quarter of 2016, Credit Suisse has added more than 30 private bankers including market group heads to Asia, Asian Private Banker can reveal. Among the new hires are private banking veterans Stella Kong and Carole Cheung, who join the Swiss major as market groups heads for China and the Philippines, respectively. Kong, who boasts a 30-plus year career in […]

The post Credit Suisse adds 30-plus private bankers in Asia including two market group heads appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A veteran Hong Kong-based private banker has exited Standard Chartered Private Bank to pursue opportunities elsewhere, Asian Private Banker has learnt. According to industry sources, Stella Kong, head of relationship management, China and deputy regional head of private banking for Greater China and North Asia, has left Standard Chartered Private Bank, having first joined the British lender in 2010. A […]

The post Veteran private banker exits Standard Chartered appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

BSI’s head of private banking for Asia has resigned against a turbulent backdrop that includes the bank’s acquistion by Swiss peer EFG, and an ongoing probe into Malaysian state investment fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) that has netted one former BSI banker.  Raj Sriram has resigned as head of private banking, Asia, for BSI in Singapore.   Sriram took the […]

The post BSI head of private banking Asia resigns appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

After more than a year at the Swiss pure-play, a Hong Kong-based senior banker on Pictet’s expatriate desk has left the bank. James Hughes, erstwhile managing director covering the British expatriate community in Hong Kong has resigned. His exit was confirmed by a Pictet spokesperson when contacted by Asian Private Banker. A career banker and something of a name amongst Hong […]

The post Senior expatriate banker at Pictet exits appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Two years after joining RBC Wealth Management, the Canadian private bank’s head of North Asia has stepped down to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Michael Yong-Haron, managing director and head of RBC Wealth Management, North Asia, has left the Canadian lender after joining from Credit Suisse in early 2014. In the interim, Yong-Haron’s role is believed to have been taken over by […]

The post RBC Wealth Management’s North Asia head exits appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Mainstream media may have jumped on the J.P. Morgan Private Bank job loss bandwagon, but exits from the high net worth segment —  what one inside source has labelled “strategic attrition”—  highlight a much more critical industry-wide issue – that of the cost of servicing smaller accounts with expensive infrastructure. This publication first revealed that the exit of Edwin Lim, former […]

The post Don’t believe the hype: J.P. Morgan Private Bank talent outflows just “strategic attrition” appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

The market manager for North Asia at J.P. Morgan’s private banking arm has exited, reportedly bringing with him a handful of bankers. Edwin Lim, a former DBS banker, has left his position as managing director and a market manager for North Asia covering the bank’s high net worth (HNW) segment. Only recently, the American wealth house stopped distinguishing between the HNW […]

The post J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s market manager for North Asia exits appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Another former DBS NRI banker has left the Singaporean lender, resurfacing at a rival private bank, Asian Private Banker has learned. Chandan Gupta has joined Bank of Singapore as an NRI banker. Gupta is based in Hong Kong, reporting to Sanjeev Sharma executive director.   When contacted, a spokesperson from Bank of Singapore confirmed the hire. Gupta had spent two years […]

The post Former DBS NRI banker reappears at rival PB appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A relationship manager (RM) covering the non-resident Indian (NRI) client segment at DBS Private Bank has reportedly left the Singaporean lender to join a Swiss private bank, Asian Private Banker has learned. Divya Menon joined Credit Suisse Private Banking as vice president and RM covering NRI clients based in Hong Kong, as of 1 April 2016. When contacted, a spokesperson from […]

The post Former DBS NRI banker resurfaces at Swiss lender appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As part of a string of hiring announcements, HSBC Private Bank names its new head of sales management, Asia. Lionel Kwok takes on the role of managing director, head of sales management, Asia, based in Hong Kong at HSBC Private Bank. His responsibilities include driving and coordinating various aspects of sales management and ensuring the process is in line with […]

The post HSBC Private Bank names new Asia head of sales management appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Julius Baer’s chief executive North Asia and deputy head Asia Pacific has retired with immediate effect, with the Swiss bank wasting no time in naming his successor. Kaven Leung, who first joined Julius Baer in 2012 and played an integral part in the integration of the Merrill Lynch International Wealth Management business in Hong Kong, has stepped down. His replacement is David Shick, a […]

The post Julius Baer CEO North Asia retires, replacement named appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Coutts’ Asia business is to lose one of its most senior private bankers to retirement in the midst of the pure-play’s integration with Union Bancaire Privée, according to an internal memo seen by Asian Private Banker.  The note confirms that David Lam, Coutts’ head of North Asia market covering Greater China and the Philippines, will retire after three years on the job and […]

The post Coutts market head steps down, UBP head steps in appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Standard Chartered (StanChart) is launching a new wealth management centre this year in Sheung Shui – the Hong Kong district bordering the mainland – as it targets more Chinese high net worth (HNW) clients. “Retail banking is a huge income pool in the mainland,” Mary Huen, StanChart’s retail banking head for Greater China and North Asia, told local media. “And […]

The post StanChart eyes Chinese HNW with border wealth centre appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Following a town hall meeting in Asia with staff of both Coutts and Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), Michel Longhini, UBP executive managing director, private banking, gives Asian Private Banker an update of ongoing developments of the integration. “Clearly, the teams are being reinforced by some of our people but as you know, UBP in the region has had a limited set […]

The post More than 90% of UBP Asia staff to be imported from Coutts appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As the industry continues to witness senior management shuffles in the region, an ex-Coutts executive has moved to RBC Wealth Management as its new team head. Shirley Tang is the new managing director and team head, Asia for the Canadian lender based in Hong Kong, as of January 2016. She is now responsible for leading a team of relationship managers […]

The post Former Coutts exec moves to RBC WM as Asia team head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

A former UBS manager has moved to Bank of Singapore (BOS) to cover ASEAN growth markets including Thailand and Indochina. Stephan Lickert is the new team head of Bank of Singapore’s Thailand and Indochina team. He will be based in Singapore as he looks to expand his team and tap into the growth markets in ASEAN. When contacted, a spokesperson […]

The post BOS names Thailand/Indochina team leader appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

While such jobs have been coveted particularly in recent years, with regulatory requirements forcing many private banks to expand their compliance headcount, added anti-money laundering (AML) concerns have raised the pressure on compliance officers, says a veteran expert at a global legal and professional financial services firm. “In some countries, a compliance manager is not an attractive role because of […]

The post AML concerns instill fear in compliance officers appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Two months after this publication reported on the departure of a veteran ABN AMRO private wealth banker, the Dutch lender has named a new North Asia head of international clients as his replacement. Charles Humpleby is ABN AMRO Private Banking’s new head of international clients, based in Hong Kong. He is promoted to the new role after serving as an executive director, […]

The post ABN AMRO Private Banking promotes senior banker appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Shortly after a veteran banker and his team decided to move from ABN AMRO Private Bank to J Safra Sarasin, Asian Private Banker has learnt that another banker will join them. Kara Walsh has resigned from her post at ABN AMRO Private Banking where she worked on the international desk, then reporting to Feroze Sukh, to join J Safra Sarasin. […]

The post J. Safra Sarasin takes another from ABN AMRO appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Increasingly extensive reporting requirements, a limited pool of trained anti-money laundering (AML) specialists and technology not keeping pace with increased demands. These are the three main challenges that financial services firms in Asia Pacific face heading into the new year, a joint study shows. According to Michael Thomas, director North Asia at Wolters Kluwer Financial Services, some 64% of respondents cited […]

The post Reporting requirements to be even bigger AML challenge in 2016 appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

As part of its overall strategy to expand its footprint in Asia and particularly target Greater China, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management has recently set up a China desk in Singapore. The US lender is eager to tap the growing wealth onshore and Singapore’s status as a wealth management hub in Asia, the bank tells Asian Private Banker. “Our Greater China […]

The post Morgan Stanley targets Greater China wealth with new Singapore desk appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Six months after Coutts announced a replacement for its chief executive officer, it is understood that he will be relocated again to head UBP Asia’s operations once the acquisition of Coutts in Asia is complete. Michael Blake will be the new head of UBP Asia and he will move from Zurich to Singapore to take on the role. David Lam, Coutts’ head […]

The post Coutts’ CEO to head UBP Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Shortly after its North Asia head of international clients left the Dutch lender, along with three colleagues, this publication has learnt that the team is joining a Swiss pure play. Feroze Sukh will join J. Safra Sarasin, sources say, along with his colleagues at ABN AMRO Aditya Jayaraman, Jyoti Jain and Amit Singh. When contacted, a J Safra Sarasin spokesperson declined […]

The post Former ABN AMRO Private Banking international clients team resurfaces appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

After setting up the international clients private banking desk to service high net worth investors in Asia and the Middle East, ABN AMRO’s North Asia head of international clients has left the bank. Feroze Sukh has resigned from his post in Hong Kong with the Dutch lender. He joined as part of the bank’s creation of an international desk to […]

The post ABN AMRO’s North Asia head of international clients exits appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Five years after running Bank Hapoalim’s private wealth business in North Asia, the 23-year vet has joined Rothschild Wealth Management (WM) in Hong Kong. Audrey Zau will run the business’ North Asia unit to drive what the bank says is an offering, or “nest egg”, that is “increasingly finding favour with wealthy Asian families” who are constructing diversified portfolios. Zau […]

The post Hapoalim’s North Asia PWM head shifts from Rothschild Boulevard to Rothschild WM appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

More than three years after joining from Credit Suisse, Pictet’s South Asia head of wealth management has exited. Anuj Khanna leaves the Swiss pure play after first joining in January 2012. When contacted, a spokesperson for the bank confirmed the move, adding that tomorrow would be Khanna’s last day. Prior to his latest role, Khanna spent six years with Credit […]

The post Pictet’s South Asia head leaves appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Compliance hiring hardly slows in Asia as Credit Suisse nets a new head of compliance for its private banking unit in North Asia. Debbie Man joins Credit Suisse as its private banking head of compliance for North Asia, based in Hong Kong. When contacted, a spokesperson from the bank declined to comment on the hire. Man brings with her over a […]

The post Credit Suisse hires new private banking head of compliance for North Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Not long after DBS Private Bank’s NRI head for South Asia left the bank to join Credit Suisse, another banker follows to join his team. Vijay Solomon who was north Asia head, NRI and international clients at DBS Private Bank based in Hong Kong, will join Credit Suisse Private Banking’s NRI team in Hong Kong. He will report to Balakrishnan […]

The post Credit Suisse Private Banking bulks NRI team with ex-DBS hire appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Accelerator programmes for fintechs in Asia are becoming an increasingly popular avenue for banks tapping into the space, with Standard Chartered (StanChart) today saying that it will sponsor one in Hong Kong that focuses on both startups and established companies. The regional bank has partnered Chinese technology giant Baidu and technology and innovation hub TusPark Global Network (TGN) to launch […]

The post StanChart joins fintech foray with new programme appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In a bid to strengthen its footprint in the Greater China region, Standard Chartered (StanChart) Private Bank has created a new role. Vicky Lin joins as managing director and head of Taiwan market, private banking, effective 4 September 2015. Her role, a newly-created position, will involve managing the Taiwanese market as part of the broader Greater China and North Asia […]

The post StanChart Private Bank names ex-Morgan Stanley banker as Taiwan head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This article first appeared in Issue 91 of Asian Private Banker’s monthly print magazine, published in the first week of September 2015. It was an auspicious start when Cavalli stepped into his present role ten months ago, with 2014 being arguably the best year ever for Credit Suisse Private Banking’s Southeast Asia franchise. For one, net new assets (NNA) grew […]

The post Straight Talk: Benjamin Cavalli, Credit Suisse Private Banking Southeast Asia head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In a bid to bolster its Greater China coverage, RBC Wealth Management has appointed a former Coutts director to focus on the Hong Kong market. Anita Wong joins the Canadian lender as an executive director and a member of the North Asia relationship management team. She reports to Ignatius Chong, the Greater China managing director. The hire underscores RBC Wealth […]

The post RBC Wealth Management hires one from Coutts appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Julius Baer’s Asian business continues to be in expansion mode, this time with the hire of a former China head of HSBC Private Bank. The Swiss pure play has appointed Richard Hu as one of its heads of special markets. In Hu’s new Hong Kong-based role, he reports to the bank’s North Asia CEO Kaven Leung. When contacted, a spokesperson […]

The post Julius Baer hires former China head from HSBC Private Bank appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

It is one thing to be bearish on Chinese equities and another to expect prices to return to 2008 levels. Such has been the case, say Asia-based gatekeepers of structured products who are seeing peculiar strike levels for Chinese blue chip stocks. Asian Private Banker has learnt that private banks in Asia have been offered fixed coupon equity-linked notes tracking […]

The post Asian gatekeepers ponder “sensationalist” derivatives appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This article first appeared in Issue 91 of Asian Private Banker’s monthly print magazine, published in the first week of September 2015.   I almost did it. Write an entire edition of The Scoop without mentioning Julius Baer, that is. Almost. And then Boris Collardi dips into his Credit Suisse address book and taps Jimmy Lee for the bank’s most […]

The post The Scoop with Shruti Advani: Change is constant appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Global economic uncertainty and the promise of Asian riches have motivated foreign inflows into private banks in Asia, the result of which is that relationship managers (RMs) here have “disconcertingly” limited or zero face time with overseas clients. “Asia is benefiting from foreign investors betting on the markets here,” says a private banker who wanted to remain anonymous, adding that he […]

The post “Faceless” DPM clients on the rise in Asia appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

This article was first published in the first week of August 2015. As the annual exodus West from Hong Kong and Singapore leaves both cities fallow of clients, private bankers have found inspired outlets for their time and talent. While some of these aspiring musicians, photographers, artists and athletes would do well to hold on to their day jobs, some others have proved that those who excel, excel […]

The post The Scoop with Shruti Advani: Who needs the day job? appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

After leaving the post earlier this year, an industry veteran and a former Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (AWM) head has joined Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Ken Tam is the managing director and head of Asia for RBC Investment Management (Asia) overseeing the Asia Pacific business, excluding BlueBay Asset Management of RBC Global Asset Management (GAM). He reports to Clive […]

The post Ex-Deutsche AWM head moves to RBC appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

It’s time for a midyear review of the industry. Asian Private Banker takes a look at the top five defining moments not just across the private banking board, but also in the specific niches of Products, Regulations, Technology and People Moves. We look at people moves in this article. A new wave of Asia leadership at HSBC Private Bank Few weeks after HSBC’s […]

The post APB Midyear Review – People Moves appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In a bid to strengthen its private banking presence in the region, Nomura has made an ex-Julius Baer veteran banker as its new head of wealth planning in Asia. Harry Ng is Nomura’s head of wealth planning strategy and solutions, Asia ex-Japan. In his new role based in Singapore, he will be responsible for building the trustee services business by managing […]

The post Nomura names Asia wealth planning head appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Deutsche Asset and Wealth Management (Deutsche AWM) grew its Asia Pacific assets to €96 billion (US$105 billion) in Q2 2015, a 28% year-on-year rise. This was down marginally from €97 billion in the first quarter, which many saw as a result of Q2 market volatility. Net new money came to €2 billion, marking the first new business for the unit following […]

The post Deutsche AWM H1 Asia AUM up 28% appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

In a bid to reduce cost and speed up decision making, Standard Chartered (StandChart) has restructured its client-facing and geographic segments with new banking and regional heads. The bank’s client segments will be split into three parts: corporate and institutional banking, commercial and private banking, and retail banking. The private banking segment is unchanged since the bank announced its business […]

The post Standard Chartered Bank streamlines geographic and client segments appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

After over five years with the bank, a relationship manager (RM) who covers the Middle East market has left HSBC Private Bank. Victoria Martin covered HNWIs and UHNWIs residing in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region including UAE, Bahrain and Qatar. When contacted, a spokesperson from the bank declined to comment. Martin worked on the Middle East desk […]

The post HSBC Private Bank loses RM on Middle East desk appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

One year after the Private Wealth Management Association (PWMA) launched its Enhanced Competency Framework (ECF) for industry practitioners, more than 1,500 seasoned individuals have applied for an exemption through a grandfathering route in the past eight months. Individuals with at least 10 years’ relevant client-facing experience on or before December 31, 2014 are qualified for the grandfathering applications. Thus far, […]

The post More than 1,500 private banking veterans race to obtain PWMA exemption in Hong Kong appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Less than a week after this publication reported the appointment of HSBC’s co-heads of North Asia for the private bank, the British lender continues to promote internal talent, naming new heads for Taiwan, the Philippines and the international segment. Former team head of Taiwan, Fiona Hsu, will now oversee coverage over the full segment, having first joining HSBC 16 years […]

The post New faces at the top of HSBC Private Bank’s Asia unit appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

HSBC Private Bank appoints two internal veterans to lead the British lender’s private wealth business in North Asia. HSBC Private Bank appoints Chingyee Yau and Kevin Herbert as co-heads of global private banking, North Asia, reporting to Bernard Rennell, regional head of private banking. In addition, the recently exited Richard Hu has been replaced by Philip Wong who will take […]

The post HSBC Private Bank names North Asia co-heads appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Some of Asia’s most powerful bankers swap ideas and share knowledge   The CEO panel discussions at Asian Private Banker’s Investment Advisory Summits, held in Hong Kong and Singapore last month, are the events’ most eagerly-anticipated feature.They did not disappoint, as candid and spirited discussions with some of the most powerful leaders in the private banking industry. In Hong Kong […]

The post View from the top: CEO panel discussion appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

  The Scoop is not supposed to be about chronicling M&A activity among Asia’s private banks. However, if the conversation du jour among those that matter in Hong Kong and Singapore is any indicator, it may well be headed in that direction. Divided between analysis of acquisitions that have or have not been successful and the sales that are about […]

The post The Scoop with Shruti: M&A chatter is getting louder… so let’s join the conversation appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (AWM) announces the hire of a new managing director. Thomas Hu will join the German lender, as managing director and head of global client group, Asia ex-Japan. Hu has 19 years’ experience at Deutsche Bank, and was most recently managing director and head of institutional client group, debt in Hong Kong. In his new position […]

The post Deutsche AWM continues hiring drive appeared first on Asian Private Banker.

Furthering its drive in North Asia, Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management appoints a new Greater China head of wealth management. Pauline Ko joins the German lender as managing director and group head of wealth management for the Greater China region reporting into Lok Yim, head of wealth management, North Asia.   When contacted, a spokesperson for the bank declined to […]

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After four years with the bank, a product specialist within the portfolio management group has left the bank to join an asset manager. Allen Chiu has joined Old Mutual Global Investors (OMGI) as a senior sales manager in Hong Kong. He will be responsible for strengthening relationships with local distributors and financial institutions in Asia. Chiu will report to Kylie […]

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The head of UBS Wealth Management’s India desk has left after almost five years with the Swiss bank. Jaya Jayaram was based in Hong Kong. She reported to Vinay Gandhi, the regional market manager for Malaysia, India, Indochina and Philippines, and the financial intermediaries group. When contacted, a spokesperson from the bank declined to comment on the departure. Prior to her […]

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Now that high-street brand RBS has chosen Swiss pure-play UBP as the worthiest beau for the international business of blue-blooded private bank Coutts, we can all get back to business. And what a lot of business there is to be had. Julius Baer, for one, has “been going gangbusters,” as one acquaintance rather elegantly put it. While Kaven Leung’s appointment […]

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A director in BSI’s wealth management services has left the private bank. Director and senior portfolio manager of Wealth Management Services, Jessica Xu, has moved on. When contacted, a BSI spokesperson confirmed the move. BSI has made some major hires in recent months, with Will Wang appointed as head of investment counselling in March, and Raj Sriram as the new head […]

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An estimated US$41 trillion is expected to pass down through generations over the next few decades, but an overwhelming 88% of Asian families surveyed by JP Morgan Private Bank are unprepared for this wealth transition. The Asia Family Enterprise Study by JP Morgan Private Bank polled 140 families in Asia with US$100 million or more with a family business, shared […]

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Two managing directors, including a family office head, have left Citi Private Bank. One managing director has resigned after 24 years with the bank. Richard Straus, managing director, head of family office and institutions and the North Asia platinum team for Citi Private Bank, based in Hong Kong, has resigned. Wayne Yang, who was a managing director at Citi Private Bank […]

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Swiss pure play Lombard Odier has added a former Citi private banker to its Hong Kong offices as head of private clients. The Geneva-headquartered private bank has hired David Loo as its head of private clients, North Asia, effective today (13 April), to oversee the region’s business development. In his new Hong Kong-based role, Loo will report to Vincent Magnenat, […]

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The external asset management (EAM) industry in Asia continues to grow in the same way it treats its clients’ assets: methodically, organically and assuredly. EAMs still only constitute about 2% of AUM in Singapore and Hong Kong, and consensus suggests that they are growing at 10-15% per annum. This is despite industry predictions of Asia accounting for US$100 billion of […]

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The head of Abu Dhabi Global Markets has declared the traditional Swiss private banking model “dead”, instead preferring the Singapore model. Ahmed Ali al-Sayegh, chairman of recently established Abu Dhabi Global Markets, the UAE’s international financial centre, said that Abu Dhabi will compliment rather than rival Dubai, which is currently centre of the Middle East’s private banking activities. Switzerland’s has […]

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RBC Wealth Management has hired two former United Overseas Bank (UOB) relationship managers to strengthen its North Asia coverage. Joanna Koo and Gala Shiu join the Canadian lender as Singapore-based senior relationship managers. Koo and Shiu will focus on Greater China, reporting to David Tan, RBC Wealth Management’s North Asia team head. “The expansion of this team, together with our […]

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A former Standard Chartered banker has joined ANZ to cover the Hong Kong market, bringing with him 15 years of private banking experience. Ho Yan Kwan is ANZ Private Bank’s new market head, Hong Kong. He succeeds Ellen Tang, who will continue to contribute to the Hong Kong team as a senior private banker. Kwan will report directly to ANZ […]

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Lombard Odier’s head of investment services and advisory has left the bank after joining the pure play just over a year ago. Todd James has left the Swiss boutique private bank after joining in January 2014. When contacted, a spokesperson for the bank declined to comment on the departure. James has had more than a decade’s experience in private banking […]

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About a month after former Credit Agricole Private Banking Hong Kong CEO Serge Janowski resurfaced at Julius Baer, the Swiss pure play has selected a clutch of relationship managers as part of the industry veteran’s new Hong Kong team. Johann Santer joins from investment company C-Quadrat, Jinho Lee from Citibank, and Xavier Bosco from Commerzbank. Bosco will focus on institutional […]

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After 18 months in the role, the managing director of ANZ’s global private wealth arm leaves as the Australian bank merges its wealth and private bank Asia teams. Manfred Liechti, managing director, global private bank, has left the bank, an internal email from Joyce Phillips, CEO, global wealth confirmed today. He will be replaced by Bret Packard, currently managing director, wealth […]

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One of the bankers from UBS’ erstwhile non-resident Indian (NRI) team based in Hong Kong has signed on with another bank after the Swiss bank reorganised that part of its business in November of last year. Shruti Garg, formerly a director with UBS, has joined DBS as senior vice president in the NRI team, three months after her exit from the […]

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Following the news of a recent management shuffle at the private bank, BSI announces a new head of private banking for Asia. In a newly-created role, Raj Sriram is BSI Bank’s new head of private banking, Asia, based in Singapore, effective on the 2nd February 2015, in addition to being the bank’s deputy CEO Asia. In his expanded role, he […]

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In a bid to bolster its frontline and tap a market of investors with US$2.1 trillion in wealth, BNP Paribas Wealth Management hires a former ANZ non-resident Indian (NRI) banker to its team. Sumita Malik joins the French lender as a relationship manager covering Indian markets based in Singapore. She will report to Akshay Jaitley, managing director and NRI head […]

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Standard Chartered Private Bank hires one from Julius Baer’s Hong Kong offices to bolster its ultra-high net worth (UHNW) business. Alison May Chan joins the British private bank as a managing director of UHNW solutions for its Greater China business. In her new Hong Kong-based role, Chan reports to Stephen Richards-Evans, global head, UHNW, private banking clients and locally to […]

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Standard Chartered Private Bank adds one to its front office roster in the form of a North Asia non-resident Indian (NRI) team head from BOCI. Nitin Birla joins the British lender as an executive director of client advisory, based in Hong Kong. Birla’s new role is believed to be in similar capacity to his previous roles, servicing NRI clients from […]

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After serving as head of the French lender’s private banking unit in Hong Kong for three years, the industry veteran resurfaces at a pure play. Serge Janowski joins Julius Baer as managing director and head of special markets, based in Hong Kong. In his new role, he leads a team of relationship managers, focusing on institutional clients. He will report […]

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Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (AWM) bolsters its North Asia business with the addition of a new chief operating officer (COO). Andrea Wong joins the German lender from Bank of China, where she was COO for the private wealth business. Prior to that, she was at Macquarie Private Wealth where she was Asia regional COO. In her new Hong Kong-based […]

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Which regions and demographics in Asia look most attractive from a client acquisition perspective in 2015?   China is economically transitioning much faster than many investors realise, with new technologies coming on line, creating opportunities for growth. Earlier, we hosted our largest client event in Shanghai this year which is part of Julius Baer’s flagship Next Generation conference series. We […]

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Having noticed increasing interest in illiquid investments in the midst of an environment where investors lack directionality in the equity markets and remain uncertain in fixed income markets because of an imminent rate hike, Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management (DeAWM) have opted to offer bite-sized opportunities in private equity for its clients. According to Kwong Kin-Mun, head of wealth management, […]

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An industry veteran steps down as head of private banking North Asia, and will be replaced by an internal hire. Esther Heer has announced her retirement from the bank after three decades in private banking, a press release confirmed. Jonathan Lin has been revealed as the new head of private banking for North Asia. He is currently BSI’s head of Greater China and […]

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