

Indian Family Offices Turn to Singapore Despite RBI Regulatory Uncertainty
Indian family offices Singapore structures are gaining renewed interest as some private banks resume facilitating offshore remittances despite continuing regulatory uncertainty in India. The Economic Times reported that around INR15bn (USD171m) had been transferred over the past two months, with a Singapore bank, two law firms and a wealth manager advising families across major Indian cities. Banks had largely stopped facilitating such transactions after a Reserve Bank of Ind
Aug 26


Family Offices Back Azalea Evergreen Private Equity Fund with USD350m
The Azalea evergreen private equity fund has attracted family offices, private banks and wealthy individuals from across Asia as the Temasek-linked investment manager raised more than USD1bn across three vehicles. Azalea All Access secured more than USD350m in initial commitments and offers exposure to private equity secondaries and co-investments through monthly subscriptions and quarterly redemptions. Azalea also closed Altrium Private Equity Fund III at USD526m in June and
Aug 26


Hang Seng Wealth Network Expands to Capture High-Net-Worth Demand
The Hang Seng wealth network is expanding across Hong Kong as the bank seeks to capture stronger demand from high-net-worth clients despite uncertainty surrounding Beijing’s scrutiny of mainland residents’ overseas investments. Hang Seng Bank has opened a 6,300-square-foot wealth centre at Hysan Place in Causeway Bay, its second new facility this year, and plans further openings over the next 12 to 18 months. The lender also aims to increase its relationship-manager workforce
Aug 25


China Offshore Wealth Tax Push Forces Family Offices to Reassess Trusts
The China offshore wealth tax push is prompting wealthy mainland families to review offshore trusts and investment structures as Beijing strengthens scrutiny of overseas assets and capital flows. Rules introduced in late July impose a 20% tax on gains when shares, property or other assets are transferred into offshore trusts, while income generated by trusts is taxed annually at the same rate. Unpaid taxes relating to assets settled since January 2023 and income received befo
Aug 24


Singapore Family Office Onboarding Target Cut to About One Month
Singapore family office onboarding could be shortened to around one month by the end of 2026 as regulators and private banks streamline checks while retaining stronger scrutiny of wealth sources. The Monetary Authority of Singapore and Private Banking Industry Group initiative follows a review that found onboarding procedures had become excessive after the city-state’s 2023 money laundering scandal. Current processing can take more than six weeks. Lawyers said the reform repr
Aug 20


Asia Wealth Transfer Drives Singapore Banks to Court Next Generation
The coming Asia wealth transfer is encouraging Singapore banks and wealth managers to build relationships with the children of affluent clients well before family assets change hands. DBS, UOB and OCBC now operate three- to four-day programmes covering investing, entrepreneurship, leadership and personal development for younger members of wealthy families. UOB’s sixth PriviGen programme attracted 63 participants aged between 18 and 25 from Singapore and Southeast Asia, while
Aug 19


Hong Kong Treasury Centre Tax Proposals Generate New Corporate Interest
Proposed Hong Kong treasury centre tax reforms are generating one to two enquiries a month as companies assess whether enhanced concessions could make the city more competitive with Singapore, according to PwC. The government consultation proposes expanding tax deductions for interest expenses to cover a broader range of corporations, bringing Hong Kong’s corporate treasury framework closer to Singapore’s arrangements. The measures form part of wider efforts to reinforce the
Aug 19


Prosper Family Office Hong Kong Presence Expands with New Office
Prosper Family Office Hong Kong operations have expanded with the opening of a new Tsim Sha Tsui office as affluent families seek more integrated succession planning and governance services. The multi-family office opened the premises on Aug. 12, with around 150 representatives from banking, asset management, trust, legal and accounting firms attending the ceremony. Prosper coordinates wealth structuring, trusts, succession planning, family governance and next-generation educ
Aug 18


B2C2 Family Office Expansion Strengthened by Jason Lai Appointment
B2C2 family office expansion across Asia-Pacific is being strengthened through the appointment of former Schroders Wealth Management Asia chairman Jason Lai as senior adviser in Singapore. Lai founded wealth manager Thirdrock Group in 2009 and became chief executive of Schroders’ Asian wealth business after the FTSE 100 company acquired Thirdrock in 2019. He subsequently served as chairman before retiring in 2026. B2C2 said Lai will help deepen relationships with family offic
Aug 18


Singapore Family Office Tax Rules Eased as Wealth Checks Tighten
Singapore family office tax rules have been relaxed to provide greater operational flexibility while stronger checks are introduced on the origins of family wealth. The Monetary Authority of Singapore said revised conditions for single-family office funds took effect on Aug. 1. Applicants will receive more time to recruit investment professionals and greater flexibility in meeting requirements covering local expenditure and capital deployment. MAS has also removed continuous
Aug 17


Kuala Lumpur Family Office Hub Expands as Marvel Capital Opens Regional Office
The Kuala Lumpur family office hub is gaining another regional wealth platform after Marvel Capital Holdings opened an office to expand private trust, wealth structuring and succession services across Asia. Located at Mercu Aspire in KL Eco City, the new operation will provide services covering succession planning, wealth protection, insurance and cross-border family office structures for affluent families and business owners. Managing Director Jayden Wong said demand is incr
Aug 17


Hong Kong HNWI Travel Overtakes Property as Wealthy Residents' Priority
Hong Kong HNWI travel is becoming a greater lifestyle priority than property ownership as affluent residents increasingly value experiences, personal development and early retirement, according to Standard Chartered. The bank's Hong Kong Travel Value Report 2026 found that only 24% of respondents ranked purchasing a first or dream home among their major life goals. By comparison, 48% prioritised immersive travel and 49% selected early retirement. Among high-net-worth individu
Aug 17


Asia Wealth Flows Rise as Middle East Tensions Drive Diversification
Asia wealth flows are strengthening as escalating Middle East tensions encourage wealthy families and high-net-worth investors to diversify more capital into financial centres such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Bankers and advisers said geopolitical uncertainty has prompted some Gulf-based investors to reconsider regional concentration and increase exposure to Asian markets. Singapore has been a significant beneficiary, with deposits rising SGD66.2bn (USD51.6bn), or 7.2% year o
Aug 14


Hong Kong Fund Tax Breaks to Exclude Proprietary Trading Firms
Proposed Hong Kong fund tax breaks for asset managers and family offices will exclude proprietary trading firms because businesses investing their own capital do not meet the government's definition of an investment fund. The clarification potentially excludes firms such as Jane Street, Citadel Securities and Jump Trading from incentives being introduced as Hong Kong competes with Singapore and Dubai for investment managers and financial talent. The government plans to broade
Aug 14


China Offshore Trust Tax Changes Prompt Singapore Wealth Review
China offshore trust tax changes are prompting wealthy mainland families and their advisers to review Singapore-based structures as Beijing strengthens scrutiny of overseas wealth. Rules announced on July 24 reinforce China's ability to tax offshore structures according to an individual's tax residence rather than simply the jurisdiction where assets are held, according to lawyers. Advisers have subsequently received enquiries from high-net-worth families, private banks, trus
Aug 13


Global-Asia Family Office Summit Returns to Singapore in October
The Global-Asia Family Office Summit 2026 – Partners Forum will be held in Singapore on Oct. 6, bringing together family principals, investors, entrepreneurs and industry specialists to examine priorities shaping family capital. The event at the Grand Hyatt Singapore will focus on investment strategies, wealth governance and approaches to managing capital across generations. Organisers said participants will hear directly from family principals and practitioners with experien
Aug 12


Asia Millionaire Migration Drives Demand for Second Passports and Residency
Asia millionaire migration is increasing demand for second passports and overseas residency as wealthy families incorporate geographic diversification into broader wealth and succession strategies. An estimated 165,000 millionaires could relocate globally in 2026, compared with a record 142,000 expected in 2025, according to private wealth migration estimates. Singapore has become a major destination for internationally mobile wealth, supported by its private banking, asset m
Aug 11


Family Office Impact Investing Rises as Younger Wealth Holders Seek Results
Family office impact investing is increasing as younger wealth holders seek measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside competitive financial returns. A report by The Venture Network and 220dots said traditional philanthropy remains widespread, with 71% of family offices globally supporting charitable activities. However, many families are expanding into investments designed to generate both financial performance and broader societal benefits. Global impact investi
Aug 6


Thailand Family Offices Expand as Private Wealth Continues to Rise
Thailand family offices are expanding as rising private wealth increases demand for specialised investment management, succession planning, tax structuring and philanthropic services. A recent report said affluent families are increasingly adopting formal family office structures to manage more complex financial needs and preserve capital across generations. Thailand's growing wealthy population, expanding middle class and continued foreign investment are creating favourable
Aug 5


Family Business Succession Should Separate Ownership and Leadership, Says UOB
Family business succession should focus on developing capable stewards rather than automatically transferring management control to an heir, according to Angela Koh, UOB Private Bank's head of wealth planning and family office advisory services. Koh said future leaders need sound judgement, emotional maturity, resilience and a commitment to preserve and grow family capital. Families can reduce conflict by separating ownership from management and creating clear governance stru
Aug 5

