Singapore AML guidance has been refined to clarify that property developers should apply enhanced anti-money laundering checks only to higher-risk home buyers, reinforcing a risk-based approach to customer due diligence rather than blanket scrutiny across all property transactions. In a circular, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) said standard identity verification and database screening would generally be sufficient for most purchasers. Additional due diligence, includ

Family office technology is becoming a defining factor in the next stage of Hong Kong's wealth management development as increasingly sophisticated portfolios require stronger operational infrastructure alongside investment expertise. A commentary published on Wednesday said technology and operating capability, rather than capital alone, will determine how effectively family offices manage growing cross-border complexity. The report said family offices are increasingly adopti

Atlas Capital family office services have expanded following the appointment of former DBS Bank (Hong Kong) institutional banking head and alternate chief executive Alex Cheung as strategic adviser. The move supports the firm's evolution from a single-family office into an investment-led wealth management platform serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices across Asia. Hong Kong-based Atlas Capital Asset Management said it has broadened its multi-family offic

Singapore wealthy individuals continue to face the world's highest cost of living, with the city retaining its position as the most expensive location globally for high-net-worth individuals for a fourth consecutive year, according to Julius Baer's latest Global Wealth and Lifestyle Report. The Swiss private bank ranked Singapore ahead of Zurich and Monaco, while Hong Kong placed fourth, Shanghai sixth, Sydney eighth and Bangkok tenth. Asia-Pacific cities accounted for five o

The Hong Kong wealth hub is reinforcing its position as one of the world's leading centres for offshore wealth management, supported by rapid growth in family offices, recovering capital markets and stronger cross-border investment flows. According to Boston Consulting Group, Hong Kong managed USD2.95tr in offshore assets at the end of 2025, overtaking Switzerland to become the world's largest offshore wealth centre. Government figures showed the number of family offices incr

Indonesia is considering sweeping tax incentives to support a proposed international financial centre as the government seeks to attract global capital, financial institutions and family offices. The Indonesia financial hub proposal includes extensive fiscal incentives aimed at strengthening the country's competitiveness as a regional investment destination. Lawmakers discussed legislation that would provide a 100% corporate income tax reduction for qualifying businesses and

Hong Kong family office services are continuing to expand as law firm Oldham, Li & Nie (OLN) launches a dedicated practice to support the growing needs of international families using the city as a base for wealth planning and succession. The new multidisciplinary offering reflects rising demand for integrated legal, tax and governance advice as Hong Kong strengthens its position as a regional wealth management hub. OLN said the practice will advise clients on family office e

APAC private credit fundraising is expected to slow during the next 12 to 18 months as higher interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic pressures reduce investor appetite for illiquid assets, according to Moody's Ratings. Despite the softer outlook, the agency believes long-term demand for private credit across Asia-Pacific will remain supported by economic growth and structural financing needs. Moody's said increased redemption requests affecting global priv

Singapore family offices are attracting growing inflows of wealth from Taiwan as high-net-worth families diversify assets in response to rising geopolitical tensions across the Taiwan Strait, according to advisers and wealthy investors interviewed by Bloomberg News. The trend reflects increasing demand for politically stable jurisdictions offering sophisticated wealth management, succession planning and cross-border investment capabilities. An E.Sun Bank and KPMG Taiwan repor

HP Wealth Management has strengthened its Singapore family office business by appointing veteran private bankers Michael Sutter and Alex Grindley as senior relationship managers. Both executives join the independent wealth manager and multi-family office from UBS Singapore, bringing extensive experience advising affluent individuals and family office clients across Asia. Sutter spent more than 25 years at UBS and said HP Wealth Management's fee-based, bank-agnostic model offe

Hong Kong wealth remains among the world's highest after the city ranked fourth globally for wealth per adult in the latest UBS Global Wealth Report, highlighting its continued strength as an international financial and wealth management centre. The report underscores Hong Kong's importance for private banks, family offices and investment managers serving affluent clients across Asia. UBS reported average wealth per adult in Hong Kong of USD648,267, placing the city behind on

China family wealth has reached RMB145tr (USD20.2tr), with Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong remaining the country's leading centres for affluent households, according to a report by Bank of East Asia and the Hurun Research Institute. The findings underline the concentration of wealth in China's major financial hubs and reinforce the importance of the Greater Bay Area as a key market for private banks, family offices and wealth managers. Hong Kong recorded around 521,000 afflue

Family offices are increasingly adopting formal wealth-purpose frameworks as they prepare for one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in history, according to preliminary findings from the 2026 AlTi Tiedemann Global and Campden Wealth Family Office Operational Excellence Report. The family office wealth purpose trend reflects a growing focus on governance, succession and preserving family values alongside financial capital. The survey of 126 family office princi

Family offices across Asia-Pacific are adopting a more institutional investment approach, moving beyond traditional trophy properties and wealth preservation strategies into sectors offering stronger long-term growth and recurring income, according to the Asia Pacific Real Assets Association (Aprea). The shift in family office real estate investment reflects growing demand for diversified portfolios supported by professional governance and specialist investment teams. The rep

Ares Management is seeking commitments for a new Asia private credit fund as global alternative asset managers compete to capture expanding lending opportunities across the region. The proposed Asia private credit vehicle, Asia Direct Lending II, is expected to finance leveraged buyout transactions throughout Asia-Pacific and could exceed the USD1.7bn raised by its predecessor. People familiar with the fundraising said details remain under discussion and Ares declined to comm

Asia has become the world's dominant centre for wealth creation, now accounting for 58% of the global billionaire population, according to Josh Gardner, chief executive of data consultancy Kung Fu Data. The Asia wealth creation trend highlights the region’s growing influence on global entrepreneurship, investment and family wealth. Gardner said New York remains the world's leading billionaire city, but Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing now occupy the next three positions, while

The global population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals expanded at its fastest pace in eight years during 2025, driven largely by rapid wealth creation across Asia, according to Altrata’s World Ultra Wealth Report 2026. The ultra-high-net-worth individuals population increased 14.4% to a record 556,850 people worldwide. Combined wealth reached approximately USD63.8tr, including around USD26tr in investable assets. The United States remained the largest UHNW market with 37%

Fundraising has overtaken exits as the biggest challenge confronting Asia-Pacific private equity and venture capital firms, according to new research by DealStreetAsia and Vistra Fund Solutions. The APAC private capital survey found investors have become increasingly selective as geopolitical uncertainty and tighter liquidity reshape fundraising conditions. Among 105 senior industry executives surveyed, 57.5% identified fundraising as the principal source of friction, compare

Hong Kong banks should broaden their Hong Kong family office services as a new generation of wealthy Asian entrepreneurs increasingly seeks strategic advice that extends beyond traditional investment management, according to KPMG. The recommendation comes as family offices become more prominent across the region amid rapid wealth creation and growing succession-planning needs. KPMG’s 2026 survey found that 46% of Asian family offices were established within the past five year

Asian ultra-high-net-worth families are increasingly embracing the family office model as they seek more personalised advice, international expertise and long-term wealth stewardship. According to Ardenwood Advisors founder Flora Dong, the rise of cross-border wealth is driving demand for more sophisticated structures capable of managing complex family and financial affairs. Dong said the trend is particularly evident among globally connected families with assets and business