Singapore wealth management firms are expanding recruitment beyond private bankers as rapid industry growth fuels demand for technology, investment, compliance and risk professionals. Recruiters said experienced relationship managers serving Greater China and Southeast Asia remain in short supply, prompting banks to broaden overseas hiring while investing in stronger operational capabilities. Russell Reynolds Associates reported that technology-related executive searches supp

LEAP East Hong Kong has secured a long-term future in the city after organisers confirmed a three-year partnership that will keep the technology and innovation summit in Hong Kong through 2029. The inaugural three-day event attracted approximately 25,000 participants, including 600 investors overseeing more than USD6.5tr in assets, alongside 340 speakers, 450 exhibitors and 300 startups. Organiser Tahaluf, together with the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Innovation, Technolo

Lighthouse Canton wealth management is accelerating its regional expansion after appointing Angela Saik as managing director of wealth management to support the firm's ambition of doubling assets under management to USD10bn by 2027. The appointment strengthens the Singapore-based independent wealth manager's presence across Southeast Asia. Saik brings more than two decades of experience advising wealthy Asian families and previously held senior positions at Royal Bank of Cana

The Malaysia IPO market led Southeast Asia during the first half of 2026 after recording 36 new listings that raised USD1.3bn, according to Deloitte. Across the region, 47 initial public offerings generated USD3.07bn, more than doubling the USD1.41bn raised from 53 listings during the corresponding period a year earlier. Average deal size increased significantly to USD65m from USD26m, reflecting stronger investor demand for larger and more established issuers. Three transacti

Schroders Wealth Management Asia has appointed former Coutts Chief Executive Peter Flavel as chair and independent non-executive director of Schroder & Co (Asia) Ltd, subject to regulatory approval, as the firm accelerates its expansion across one of its fastest-growing wealth markets. Flavel brings more than 30 years of experience in private banking and wealth management and will work closely with recently appointed Schroders Wealth Management Asia Chief Executive Evonne Tan

Family office digital assets are becoming an increasingly important component of investment portfolios, although regulatory compliance and reporting remain major obstacles for many wealth managers, according to a survey by Ocorian. The study covered 200 family members and senior executives representing family offices with combined assets of approximately USD119.37bn. The survey found that 86% of respondents already include cryptocurrencies and other digital assets within thei

GPIF asset allocation is unlikely to undergo a major overhaul despite recent government calls for Japan's state pension funds to increase investment in domestic assets, according to people familiar with the matter. The comments ease speculation that the Government Pension Investment Fund could significantly redirect capital into Japanese financial markets. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama recently suggested pension funds should substantially increase investment in domestic a

GIC leadership is being strengthened through a series of senior investment appointments designed to improve coordination across private markets, portfolio strategy and multi-asset investing as global market conditions become increasingly complex. Singapore's sovereign wealth fund has appointed Choo Yong Cheen and Liew Tzu Mi as deputy group chief investment officers, effective 1 October 2026. Choo will continue serving as chief investment officer for private equity while assu

Hong Kong's position as a leading Hong Kong wealth centre has strengthened after the city overtook Switzerland to become the world's largest offshore asset management hub, supported by rising mainland Chinese capital and rapid expansion in family offices. According to Boston Consulting Group data cited by Nikkei, offshore assets under management reached USD2.95tr in 2025, an increase of 11% from a year earlier. Mainland Chinese investors accounted for 59% of total assets unde

Private markets data is set to become more transparent and standardised after MSCI and UBS announced a strategic partnership aimed at improving reporting quality, analytics and benchmarking across private assets. The collaboration responds to growing industry demand for more consistent performance measurement as private markets continue to expand. Under the agreement, UBS will adopt MSCI's artificial intelligence-powered private markets platform, contributing expertise from i

Singapore expat wealth continues to grow despite higher living costs and currency volatility, with most expatriates saying overseas employment has accelerated both their financial independence and retirement plans. According to a survey by St James's Place Asia, 93% of respondents believed relocating abroad had brought financial freedom closer, while 83% said it had helped them retire sooner than expected. The study found that 96% earned more than they would in their home cou

Asia-Pacific venture capital delivered the region's strongest private-market performance in 2025, although investors remain cautious about increasing allocations amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Reports from MSCI and Coller Capital showed global venture capital generated returns of 22%, ahead of private equity's 13.3%, while Asia-Pacific venture capital produced regional returns of 15.3%. Globally, venture capital achieved a 19% internal rate of return, helped by its st

Asia wealth transfer is becoming a strategic priority for private banks as an estimated USD5.8tr in family wealth is expected to pass to the next generation across the region. Morgan Stanley is responding by expanding efforts to engage future wealth owners through a week-long programme in Hong Kong developed with the University of Hong Kong. The initiative combines education and networking to build long-term relationships with younger family members before they inherit signif

Chinese banks continue to dominate the global banking industry, occupying seven of the world's top 10 positions by Tier 1 capital in The Banker magazine's 2026 Top 1000 World Banks ranking. Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China and Bank of China retained the top four positions globally, while Postal Savings Bank of China entered the top 10 for the first time. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citi were the only non-Chin

Korean insurance acquisitions are accelerating as banks, insurers and securities firms compete for strategic assets to strengthen earnings and diversify their financial services businesses. Several major sale processes involving Lotte Non-Life Insurance, KDB Life Insurance and Yebyeol Non-Life Insurance are expected to reach important milestones during July and August. Banks are seeking to expand non-bank revenue streams, while securities firms are pursuing insurance licences

Singapore supply chain resilience is stronger than in other major developed markets, with local businesses better prepared to withstand prolonged disruptions, according to Proxima's 2026 Global Supply Chain Resilience Outlook. The findings highlight Singapore's continued focus on operational resilience and business continuity amid increasing geopolitical and technology-related risks. The survey found that 23% of Singapore companies could continue operating for between four an

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

Hong Kong overseas expansion remains a strategic priority for local companies despite weaker business confidence, according to UOB's Business Outlook Study 2026. The survey found that nearly four in five businesses intend to expand internationally during the next three years as they strengthen resilience and pursue long-term growth opportunities. Business sentiment declined to 63% in 2025 from 73% a year earlier, reflecting a more challenging economic environment. Nevertheles

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