Chinese Family Office Flows to Singapore Slow Amid Tighter Rules

Chinese family office flows Singapore slowdown has emerged as tighter anti-money-laundering checks and stricter residency and tax incentive rules deter some investors. Industry sources said applications from Chinese clients have halved since 2022, following a USD2.4bn money-laundering scandal in 2023 that led to tougher due diligence standards. Some clients have shifted plans to Hong Kong, Dubai or Japan, though observers said Singapore will likely retain appeal if it continues to attract larger and more committed investors. The number of single-family offices in Singapore still rose to more than 2,000 last year, up from 1,400 in 2023 and 1,100 in 2022. Lawyers noted fewer inquiries but higher-quality, longer-term commitments from clients.