A 2020 vision for independent wealth management in Asia

We are delighted to host our 5th annual event for the independent wealth management community in Asia.

Given the uncertainly and volatility in the markets, a lot of private banks face a tough time in providing any real value or advice to clients. Further, with many private banks now fearful of doing the wrong thing given the regulatory spotlight, this might have a negative impact on service levels.

As a result, the next couple of years probably represent the best-ever opportunity for independent wealth managers to shine and attract net new money.

The value of a differentiated approach in the form of genuinely independent advice is also becoming clearer – both to clients as well as private bankers who might feel restricted in what they can do for their clients within the current environment.

Now, therefore, is the time for the small – but gradually increasing – number of independent asset management (IAM) firms and multi-family offices (MFOs) in Asia to play a much greater role in what is becoming a polarising industry within wealth management.

This requires independents to raise their game and address the ongoing challenges they face in scaling their businesses.

These include: more clearly defining business models; finding more clients; creating more clarity over fee models; attracting more competent and experienced private bankers, along with other professionals; and offering appealing – typically private – investment prospects to clients.

The burdens of regulation and compliance also continue to press heavily on independent firms, given their smaller size. Plus, the need for more bespoke and user-friendly digital tools and systems is a costly exercise.

At the same time, independent firms need to re-assess their expectations of custodians and what they get from them – not just use the private banks as an extension to a middle and back office. Further, independent firms should consider other viable custody options.

We have therefore designed this forum to bring together key market participants to discuss and debate the current positioning, role, opportunities, challenges and outlook for independent wealth management in Asia.

Mar 9

Independent Wealth Management Forum 2017

Fullerton Hotel, Singapore

Featured Partners
All Partners

A community of leading organisations within Asian Wealth Management

Featured speakers
All event speakers

Senior figures in Asian Wealth Management are speaking at this event

Rohit Bhuta

Riccardo Lehmann

Will Lawton

Acalution

Anthonia Hui

AlTi Tiedemann Global

Vinit Sarangdhar

Alpha Quest

Vineet K Vohra, CFA

Arete Consulting

Nigel Rivers

Capital Solutions

Patrick Busse

Credit Suisse Wealth Management

Why you should attend Hubbis events

Connect

Connectivity across Private Banking, Independent Wealth Management, Retail Banking, Asset Management, Insurance, Technology, Professional Services and other communities.

Learn

Find out how the industry can develop further & lessons it can learn from elsewhere. Improve skills and knowledge through a practical, enjoyable and interactive learning experience.

Enjoy

Hubbis events are not only consistent, relevant, engaging and unique but also highly positive, and fun experiences.

Latest event content
All event content

Experience our latest event for yourself

INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM – DUBAI 2024

Fullerton Hotel, Singapore

We are thrilled to announce that Hubbis w...

read more

Get involved in Hubbis events

Sponsor an event

I’m looking to sponsor an event
I’m looking to become a speaker

Contact Us
Event Agenda
download pdf
  • 8.40am

    Registration

  • 9.00am

    Welcome Address

    Sascha Zehnter
    Managing Director, Head of External Asset Managers, South-east Asia Private Banking Division, and Head External Asset Managers, Asia Pacific Platform
    Credit Suisse

  • 9.05am

    Welcome Address - Taking Singapore’s independent community to the next level

    Steve Knabl

    Chief Operating Officer & Managing Partner

    Swiss-Asia Financial Services

    • How to drive greater industry collaboration
    • Creating a more inclusive Association
    • Fostering best practices in relation to regulation, digital, risk management
  • 9.15am

    Panel Discussion

    Survival of the fittest: thriving as independent wealth managers

    • What can we do as an industry to refine the value proposition?
    • How can firms build more of a franchise?
    • How should independent firms decide which type of business they should be in?
    • What’s still missing in the client acquisition process?

    Chair

    Michael Stanhope
    Chief Executive Officer & Founder
    Hubbis

    Panel members

    Mandeep Nalwa
    Founder, Chief Executive Officer
    Taurus Wealth Advisors

    Yai Sukonthabhund
    Chief Executive Officer
    Crossbridge Capital

    Sanjay Guglani
    Managing Director
    Silverdale Capital

    Steve Davies
    Chief Executive Officer
    Javelin Wealth Management

    Rolf Haudenschild
    Co-Founder, Head of Compliance and Internal Audit Services
    Ingenia Consultants

    Tobias Bland
    Chief Executive Officer
    Enhanced Investment Products 

    Speakers

  • 9.55am

    Keynote Presentation - Dedicated EAM expertise - growth through partnership

    Sascha Zehnter
    Managing Director, Head of External Asset Managers, South-east Asia Private Banking Division, and Head External Asset Managers, Asia Pacific Platform
    Credit Suisse

    • Observations and outlook on the EAM market development in Asia
    • Mutual challenges for our industry
    • Key success factors in servicing EAMs
  • 10.15am

    Panel Discussion

    Attracting new talents: building greater capabilities in independent firms

    • How do the approaches of private bankers to acquiring clients differ from those of advisers at IAMs?
    • How do we get more capable people to join independent firms?
    • What types of bankers are best suited to this type of model?
    • How do bankers capitalise on their existing client book when moving to an IAM?
    • Are private bankers staying put within their institutions for the right reasons?
    • Where will the next generation of independents come from?

    Chair

    Michael Stanhope
    Chief Executive Officer & Founder
    Hubbis

    Panel members

    Anthonia Hui
    Chief Executive Officer
    AL Wealth Partners

    Philipp Piaz
    Partner
    Finaport

    Anthony S. Casey
    Executive Director, Wealth Management
    Swiss Asia

    Vineet K Vohra, CFA
    Director & Practice Leader
    Arete Financial Partners

    David Varley
    Chief High Net Worth Officer
    Sun Life Hong Kong 

    Speakers

  • 10.50am

    Refreshment & Networking

  • 11.20am

    Panel Discussion

    EAM Desk debate: should we bank on growth in independent wealth in Asia?

    • What’s the tangible opportunity that the IAM / MFO business represents for private banks?
    • How much will scale of the IAM platform determine which banks will succeed?
    • Do independent firms need large players? Or are more boutique banks better-placed to service them? 
    • How can banks create a competent platform qualified to serve IAMs / MFOs and their clients? What will be the differentiators in the offering going forward?
    • Is there enough business for everyone?
    • Some banks have either exited this business, or have never entered in the first place. Do they know something the others don’t?
    • What direction will EAM Desks take going forward?

    Chair

    Michael Stanhope
    Chief Executive Officer & Founder
    Hubbis

    Panel members

    Sascha Zehnter
    Managing Director, Head of External Asset Managers, South-east Asia Private Banking Division, and Head External Asset Managers, Asia Pacific Platform
    Credit Suisse

    Thomas Jost
    Executive Director, Head Intermediaries South East-Asia & Pacific
    Bank Julius Baer

    Olivier Parriaud
    Head of Financial Intermediaries, Singapore
    Indosuez Wealth Management

    Sylvain Gysler
    Executive Director, Head of Intermediaries & Multi Family Offices, Asia
    VP Bank (Singapore) Ltd

    Eduard von Kymmel
    Head of VP Fund Solutions 
    VP Bank

    Speakers

  • 12.00pm

    Presentation - Building family legacy through citizenship and residence programmes

    Dominic Volek

    Group Head of Private Clients

    Henley & Partners

    • What’s driving investor migration for Asia’s wealthy families?
    • Key considerations for HNW families in relation to residence and citizenship planning
    • Global trends and developments in investor migration
  • 12.10pm

    Presentation - HNWI and UHNWI clients - how a Variable Life Insurance can address their needs

    Christopher Albrecht

    Head of Representative Office, Hong Kong, Global Private Wealth

    Swiss Life Global Solutions

    • Diversification/choice in insurance solutions for HNW clients 
    • VUL value proposition to HNW clients and private banks
    • Understanding why some HNW clients have avoided life insurance as a planning solution
    • What does VUL bring to the market that currently is not available
  • 12.20pm

    Presentation - The case for gold

    Jeffrey Rhodes

    Director

    Global Precious Metals

    • Investing in gold
    • The role of gold in portfolios 
  • 12.30pm

    Presentation - RAIF, a Luxembourg alternative to offshore funds

    Eduard von Kymmel

    Chief Executive Officer, VP Fund Solutions - Luxembourg

    VP Bank

    • What is a RAIF?
    • Advantages
    • Asset classes
    • Requirements
    • Time to market & costs
  • 12.40pm

    Panel Discussion

    What do clients think about independent wealth managers?

    • What are wealthy families and UHNW clients looking for from their wealth managers today? 
    • What adds real value to these clients? 
    • Who is best-placed to deliver this?
    • How do they select their advisers?

    Speakers

  • 12.55pm

    Lunch & Networking

  • 1.40pm

    Panel Discussion

    Singapore vs Hong Kong: how is the landscape evolving?

    • What’s the development of independent wealth management in each of Singapore and Hong Kong?
    • What are the respective Associations in each city doing to help drive larger, more inclusive industries? 
    • What are regulators doing to facilitate independent wealth management? What more could they do?
    • What are the main reasons to be positive for growth of independent firms in both cities?

    Chair

    Michael Stanhope
    Chief Executive Officer & Founder
    Hubbis

    Panel members

    Etienne Billaud
    Senior Relationship Manager
    SingAlliance

    Patrick Busse
    Director, Head of EAM South East Asia & International
    Credit Suisse

    Jessica Cutrera
    Managing Director
    The Capital Company

    Riccardo Lehmann
    Managing Director
    Swiss Asia

    Nigel Rivers
    Founder and Chief Executive Officer
    Capital Solutions

    Speakers

  • 2.25pm

    Presentation - Capital is NOT the problem

    Julian Kwan

    Co-Founder and CEO

    InvestaX

    • Challenges for real estate Investors in 2017
    • What do HNW clients want in real estate investments?
    • What real estate is shown to clients and why is this not really working?
    • Previous obstacles to offering real estate products to clients
    • The pie just got bigger
  • 2.35pm

    Panel Discussion

    Fintech: are IAMs investing the right way?

    • How are we investing as an industry in fintech and digital tools?
    • Are we making the most of this to drive growth for our businesses? 
    • Does anyone have a clear and differentiated digital strategy? 
    • What should be your priority when investing in technology?
    • How can ensure you are well-placed to evolve and move past critical mass?
    • How do you collaborate with fintechs to achieve your goals in terms of innovation and enhancing the client experience? 

    Chair

    Michael Stanhope
    Chief Executive Officer & Founder
    Hubbis

    Panel members

    Steve Knabl
    Chief Operating Officer, Managing Partner
    Swiss Asia

    Martin Young
    Chief Executive Officer
    Farringdon Asset Management

    Julian Kwan
    Chief Executive Officer
    InvestaCrowd

    Frank T. Troise 
    Managing Member
    SoHo Capital LLC

    Will Lawton
    Co-Founder
    Eigencat

    Speakers

  • 3.20pm

    Refreshment & Networking

  • 3.45pm

    Panel Discussion

    Year 2020: Asia’s independent wealth management industry

    • Where will Asia’s independent wealth management industry be in 2020?
    • What are the structural opportunities to move the business forward to the next level?
    • Is it realistic to grow organically and reach the desired scale?
    • How do we even define the right size?
    • What are the opportunities to collaborate in a more meaningful, coordinated and tangible way?

    Chair

    Michael Stanhope
    Chief Executive Officer & Founder
    Hubbis

    Panel members

    Urs Brutsch
    Managing Partner & Founder
    HP Wealth Management

    Rohit Bhuta
    Chief Executive Officer
    Crossinvest

    Yash Mishra
    Managing Director, Head, Private Clients
    Taurus Wealth Advisors

    Sascha Zehnter
    Managing Director, Head of External Asset Managers, South-east Asia Private Banking Division, and Head External Asset Managers, Asia Pacific Platform
    Credit Suisse

    Ernest Ong
    Senior Consultant
    Mercer

    Speakers

  • 4.25pm

    Panel Discussion

    Looking ahead: what will affect investment portfolios in 2017?

    • 2017 is supposed to be an equities year – will it actually happen? 
    • Will this be another year of turbulent markets? A replay of 2016? 
    • How will investors generate performance in 2017?
    • How do clients think today? And how do you manage their expectations?
    • What are the biggest risks for 2017?
    • How will geo-political risks impact the landscape?

    Chair

    Andrew Hendry
    Managing Director, Asia
    Westoun Advisors

    Panel members

    Juerg Kiener
    Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer
    Swiss Asia Capital

    Vinit Sarangdhar
    Managing Director
    Alpha Quest

    Noli de Pala
    Chief Investment Officer
    TriLake Partners

    Carlo Rossi
    Managing Director
    Trendlab

    Speakers

  • 5.15pm

    Forum Ends

Mar 9

Independent Wealth Management Forum 2017

Fullerton Hotel,Singapore

Speakers

Rohit Bhuta

Riccardo Lehmann

Will Lawton

Acalution

Anthonia Hui

AlTi Tiedemann Global

Vinit Sarangdhar

Alpha Quest

Vineet K Vohra, CFA

Arete Consulting

Nigel Rivers

Capital Solutions

Patrick Busse

Credit Suisse Wealth Management

Sascha Zehnter

Credit Suisse Wealth Management

Yai Sukonthabhund

Crossbridge Capital

Thomas Jost

EFG Bank

Tobias Bland

Enhanced Investment Products

Irene Lee

Equiom Group

Martin Young

Farringdon Asset Management

Philipp Piaz

Finaport

Jeffrey Rhodes

Global Precious Metals

Urs Brutsch

HP Wealth Management

Dominic Volek

Henley & Partners

Olivier Parriaud

Indosuez Wealth Management

Rolf Haudenschild

Ingenia Consultants

Julian Kwan

InvestaX

Steve Davies

Javelin Wealth Management

Jessica Cutrera

Leo Wealth

Ernest Ong

Mercer

Sanjay Guglani

Silverdale Funds

Etienne Billaud

SingAlliance

David Varley

Sun Life

Christopher Albrecht

Swiss Life Global Solutions

Juerg Kiener

Swiss-Asia Capital

Steve Knabl

Swiss-Asia Financial Services

Anthony S. Casey

Swiss-Asia Financial Services

Yash Mishra

Taurus Wealth Advisors

Mandeep Nalwa

Taurus Wealth Advisors

Carlo Rossi

Trendlab

Noli de Pala

TriLake Partners

Sylvain Gysler

VP Bank

Eduard von Kymmel

VP Bank

Andrew Hendry

Westoun Advisors

Mar 9

Independent Wealth Management Forum 2017

Fullerton Hotel,Singapore

Partners

platinum

gold

silver

bronze

partner

Mar 9

Independent Wealth Management Forum 2017

Fullerton Hotel,Singapore

Event Highlights

We were delighted to host our annual independent wealth management event in Singapore. Over 300 senior individuals attended – including leading professionals from the independent industry, international and local Private Banks, Retail Banks, Multi-Family Offices and IFAs, as well as relationship managers and investment advisers from the industry.

Below for your interest and reference are links to various content we captured from the day. Please click on the orange headlines – and do send any comments or feedback to [email protected].

 

Content Highlights 

Video Highlights
Photos
Event summary
Event Content

 

Post-event Report

You might also like to view the full Post-Event Report – which is a consolidated summary, including photos of speakers & delegates, the attendee profiles & some delegate feedback, polling results, and more.

 

Event Summary 

Towards a 2020 vision for independent wealth in Asia

Our 5th annual event for the independent wealth management community in Asia, hosted in conjunction with the Association of Independent Asset Managers (Singapore), drew more than 300 senior practitioners – from a mix of independent wealth managers and multi-family offices, as well as senior private bankers wanting to learn more about this increasingly influential and expanding segment.

 

Survey 

Are Asia’s independent models up to the task?

An exclusive Hubbis survey of independent wealth managers in Singapore and Hong Kong puts a question-mark over whether this increasingly influential community has the required advisory models and processes to deliver on the promise to clients of zero conflict of interest and consistent performance.

 

Presentations 

Driving collaboration and inclusion for independent wealth in Singapore
Steve Knabl highlights some of the specific initiatives that the Association of Independent Asset Managers (Singapore) is pursuing, to further the reach and influence of this segment of the wealth management industry.

Survival of the fittest - how to thrive as an independent
Independent wealth management firms in Asia need to take a close look at their business models and value proposition to ensure they are positioned in a way which will make them sustainable and profitable going forward.

A need for greater capacity in independent firms
Creating the next generation of advisers for these types of organisations is one of the main objectives – and hurdles – for the industry as a whole. Doing it and attracting experienced private bankers and other suitable candidates requires the right mind-set.

Banking on growth in independent wealth in Asia
For those custodians which can get it right, independent firms present a growing and potentially lucrative opportunity amid an otherwise challenging environment. A platform with the right people to deliver on the need for flexibility is a good starting point.

Singapore vs HK - a polarising landscape emerging?
Both financial hubs have growing communities of independent asset managers (IAMs) and multi-family offices (MFOs), despite the segment developing at a different pace and separate times. Yet Hong Kong is showing some signs of lagging when it comes to competitiveness.

Fintech: are IAMs investing the right way?
The right systems and tools seem to be inevitable even at the independent end of the wealth management spectrum, given a market landscape where survival depends on staying up-to-date with the many reporting, risk management and disclosure obligations.

Not missing an investment trick in 2017
A panel of market experts at the 5th annual Hubbis event for Asia’s independent wealth management community look around the world to give their outlook for various regions and asset classes for investment portfolios in 2017.

A 2020 vision for independent wealth management in Asia
The pace of growth of independent firms in Singapore and Hong Kong hasn’t been as fast as many players initially expected it might be. But the achievements of this segment bode well for what it can achieve going forward – especially with collaboration.
 

Mar 9

Independent Wealth Management Forum 2017

Fullerton Hotel,Singapore