As the wealth of Asia-Pacific's high-net-worth individuals continues to swell, so too does the size and reputation of the region's private banking industry. This is leading to speculation about whether its two main hubs – Singapore and Hong Kong – may be growing to such status that one day they will replace Switzerland as the global private banking capital.
Asia-Pacific
Latest articles from Singapore
Top 100 Asean banks ranking, 2014: Small countries, big growth
April 1, 2014The relatively small economies of Vietnam and Cambodia are punching above their weight in terms of growth in The Banker’s latest Association of South-east Asian Nations ranking. Meanwhile, Singapore’s banks retain their dominance in the ranking in terms of Tier 1 capital.
The economic restructuring of Singapore
January 2, 2014An ageing population and shrinking labour pool have put a strain on Singapore's economy, leading to calls for it to be restructured to raise productivity and bring about price stability. This will come through more productivity-led growth and a stronger focus on macroprudential policies.
Banks race to capture Asia's next-generation wealth
July 1, 2013With Asia’s post-war business moguls now well into retirement, an unprecedented amount of wealth is set to pass to the next generation, representing an enormous business opportunity for banks.
Balancing act for Singapore's central bank chief
June 3, 2013Large capital inflows and structural changes at home are just two of the challenges for Singapore's economy, says the Monetary Authority of Singapore's managing director.
Hong Kong tops inward financial services FDI ranking
June 3, 2013Hong Kong has shown impressive growth in its foreign direct investment attraction, recording the largest global inward investment in the financial services sector.
Emerging market banks stake claims in commodities
December 3, 2012With balance sheet clean-ups continuing in Europe and the US, banks in emerging markets have grabbed the opportunity to forge stronger relationships with local commodity producers.
ABN Amro finds favour in Singapore
December 3, 2012Needing to raise €3bn in Tier 2 capital at short notice, reborn Dutch bank ABN Amro broke new ground in the Singapore dollar market.
Merchant traders adapt to new financial landscape
December 3, 2012Despite well-publicised retrenchment in commodities finance by some European banks, merchant trading companies are still able to find sources of funding expand their business lines.
Asia's financial centres compete for wealth management supremacy
October 1, 2012As the economic scales tip in favour of emerging economies – particularly those in Asia – it seems increasingly likely that one of the region's leading financial centres will steal the status of global wealth management capital from Switzerland. The question is, which city will it be?