Wealth
Executive Appointments: Investor Pointe, Walkers, and M&G
Global wealth and infrastructure firms are reshuffling their leadership ranks, with new high-level appointments at Investor Pointe, Walkers, and M&G’s Infracapital division. These strategic changes reflect a broader push to strengthen client relations, regulatory compliance, and private market investment capabilities across international financial hubs.
Family Offices Pivot Toward Outsourced Expertise
Managing a combined $119.37 billion, family offices are increasingly looking beyond their own walls to handle complex financial tasks. A survey of 200 industry professionals reveals that 77 percent plan to ramp up their reliance on third-party specialists over the next three years to meet growing operational demands.
Family Offices Pivot to Outsourcing to Scale Sophisticated Operations
With $119.37 billion in combined wealth, family offices are shifting away from internal management, as 77 percent of surveyed institutions plan to increase their reliance on third-party specialists. This trend marks a decisive move toward external expertise to handle the rising complexity of modern investment and security landscapes.
Family Offices Pivot to Outsourcing for Specialized Expertise
Managing a combined $119.37 billion in assets, family offices are increasingly shedding in-house operations in favor of third-party specialists. A new survey of 200 institutions across 16 countries reveals that 77 percent of firms intend to ramp up external support to navigate complex investment landscapes and heightened security threats.
HSBC Private Bank Maintains Bullish Stance on US Equities and Dollar
Despite a recent sharp sell-off in semiconductor stocks and persistent geopolitical volatility, HSBC’s private banking division is holding firm on its core strategy. The firm remains overweight on US equities and bullish on the dollar, citing resilient economic growth and the enduring competitive advantage of American artificial intelligence leadership.
NatWest Wealth Profit Climbs Following Evelyn Partners Integration
NatWest Group’s private banking and wealth management division posted an operating profit of £212 million for the first half of the year, a marked rise from the £179 million recorded during the same period in 2023, as the bank aggressively pivots toward fee-based income streams.
Wealth planning in the shadow of UK tax reform
As speculation mounts over potential tax shifts under the new government, high-net-worth individuals are facing a period of intense policy uncertainty. Nick Ritchie of RBC Wealth Management warns that while the temptation to react is strong, the most effective strategies rely on long-term planning rather than sudden financial maneuvers.
New York’s Property Data Release Sparks Privacy Backlash
New York City’s publication of a massive property database to support a new pied-à-terre tax has triggered accusations of doxxing. While officials frame the release as a transparency measure, critics argue that aggregating sensitive ownership data—including names and addresses—creates significant security risks for high-net-worth individuals and lacks necessary oversight.
CaixaBank Overhauls Wealth Division Structure
With over €200 billion in assets under management, the Valencia-based banking giant is restructuring its wealth and asset management units to sharpen its advisory focus. The shake-up includes a leadership transition for the wealth division and a direct reporting line for its asset management arm to the retail banking head.
RBC Wealth Management Targets European Expansion With 70 New Hires
RBC Wealth Management plans to recruit over 70 client-facing advisors across the UK, Jersey, and the Republic of Ireland by the end of 2027. This aggressive hiring drive serves as the latest pillar in the firm’s strategy to solidify its presence in Europe following the major acquisition of Brewin Dolphin.
Julius Baer Taps Former Bank of Singapore Manager for Southeast Asia
Nira Tanoko, a seasoned veteran of the wealth management sector, has been named the new market head for Southeast Asia at Julius Baer. Based in Singapore, she will report directly to region head Jimmy Lee, taking charge of the bank’s efforts to service high and ultra-high net worth clients across the territory.
Schroders Pre-Tax Profit Doubles Amid Nuveen Acquisition
UK asset manager Schroders reported a statutory pre-tax profit of £396.8 million for the first half of 2026, more than double the £196.9 million recorded a year prior. The surge comes as the firm nears its acquisition by the US-based Nuveen, reflecting a broader trend of transatlantic consolidation in wealth management.
PIMCO Brings StocksPLUS Strategy to UCITS ETF Market
PIMCO is expanding its European fund lineup by converting its long-standing StocksPLUS strategy into a UCITS ETF format. The new PIMCO Advantage StocksPLUS US Large Cap UCITS ETF aims to marry US equity exposure with active fixed income management, marking a significant shift in how the firm distributes its flagship investment products.
Societe Generale Private Banking Profits Jump 18 Percent
Societe Generale’s private banking division posted a robust €363 million in net income for the second quarter of 2026, marking an 18 percent year-on-year increase. This growth reflects a broader trend of rising performance across the French lender's business units as the group pivots toward higher profitability targets.
St James's Place Profit Dips Amid Fee Restructuring and Refunds
St James's Place reported a decline in adjusted pre-tax profits to £278.4 million for the first half of 2026, down from £307.0 million a year prior. While assets under management climbed to a record £240.8 billion, the wealth manager faces ongoing pressure from charging controversies and a shift in its fee model.
Nominations Open for 2027 WealthBriefing WealthTech Americas Awards
The Sixth WealthBriefing WealthTech Americas Awards have officially opened for entries, inviting firms across North and Latin America to showcase their latest innovations. The program highlights leaders in the wealth technology ecosystem, spanning critical sectors from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to digital client onboarding and regulatory compliance.
Lighthouse Canton Targets NRI Wealth with Cross-Border Platform
With the Indian diaspora reaching 35 million people and remittances hitting a record $135 billion, Singapore-based Lighthouse Canton is launching a dedicated platform to consolidate fragmented wealth. The initiative aims to provide non-resident Indians with a single advisory relationship spanning global and domestic financial holdings.
Bloomberg Acquires Canoe Intelligence to Automate Private Markets Data
Bloomberg has reached an agreement to acquire Canoe Intelligence, an AI-driven platform specializing in the automation of private market data. The deal, for which financial terms remain undisclosed, marks a strategic push by the financial information giant to modernize how wealth managers process and interpret opaque, non-listed asset information.
Standard Chartered Posts Record Profit as Wealth Unit Revenue Soars
A 38 per cent surge in wealth solutions income has propelled Standard Chartered to a record pre-tax profit of $4.8 billion for the first half of 2026. The performance, bolstered by record affluent net new money, exceeded analyst expectations and prompted the bank to announce a new $1 billion share buyback program.
Deutsche Bank Private Banking Stagnates Despite Asset Inflow Surge
A 39 percent jump in net flows failed to budge the bottom line for Deutsche Bank’s private banking division in the second quarter of 2026. While the arm captured €9 billion in new client money, pre-tax profit stalled at €605 million, matching the performance recorded during the same period last year.
Julius Baer Partners with Dubai to Attract Global Wealth
With private wealth entities in the Dubai International Financial Centre surging by 61 percent annually, Swiss lender Julius Baer has formalized a strategic agreement with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to act as a bridge for international family offices and business owners relocating to the emirate.
Ardian Reshuffles Leadership as Infrastructure Chief Steps Back
Private investment giant Ardian is restructuring its top-level management, appointing François Jerphagnon and Marion Calcine as executive vice-presidents. The transition, effective September 30, marks a significant shift for the Paris-based firm as it balances long-term succession planning with the continued expansion of its core infrastructure platform.
Trimontium and Citi Investment Management Announce Key Executive Hires
Alternative asset manager Trimontium has tapped legal veteran Graham Morrison as general counsel, while Citi Investment Management has recruited Rob Lunn to head its portfolio solutions unit in the EMEA region, signaling a strategic focus on cross-border growth and expanded institutional reach for both firms.
UBS Wealth Management Revenue Climbs as Profits Beat Forecasts
UBS posted a robust second quarter in 2026, with group net profit rising to $2.8 billion, comfortably outpacing analyst expectations. The Swiss banking giant’s wealth management division served as the primary engine for this growth, reporting a 13 percent year-on-year revenue increase alongside significant gains in invested assets.
New York Data Centre Ban Tests AI Infrastructure Ambitions
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s one-year moratorium on major data centre construction has ignited a global debate over the sustainability of the AI boom. As local pushback against resource-heavy facilities intensifies, investors are grappling with whether regulatory hurdles will stifle growth or merely shift the competitive landscape for power and water.
J Stern & Co Expands Swiss Footprint With bvo capital Merger
Independent asset manager J Stern & Co will absorb Geneva-based bvo capital to consolidate its Swiss operations, a move that pushes the firm’s total managed assets past the $2.8 billion mark. The deal reflects a broader trend of industry consolidation across Europe as firms seek greater scale and shared research capabilities.
Barclays Wealth Profits Dip as Operating Costs Climb
Barclays’ private banking and wealth management division saw attributable profit slide 20 percent to £148 million for the first half of 2026. While total income grew to £713 million, a sharp 11 percent rise in operating expenses to £524 million squeezed margins and widened the division’s cost-to-income ratio.
State Street Recruits BlackRock Veteran for Digital Wealth Push
Henry MacLeod has been named managing director and head of Direct Retail and Digital Wealth International at State Street Investment Management. Tasked with accelerating the firm's international retail strategy, he joins from BlackRock, where he previously spearheaded digital distribution efforts across the EMEA region for years.
Objectway Moves to Acquire French Software Specialist SLIB
European wealthtech provider Objectway has entered exclusive negotiations to purchase the stakes held by BNP Paribas and Natixis in SLIB. This strategic bid for the Paris-based capital markets software firm marks the company's second major acquisition in less than a month, signaling an aggressive expansion of its European footprint.
J Stern & Co Expands Swiss Footprint via Merger with bvo capital
Independent asset manager J Stern & Co is consolidating its Swiss operations by merging with Geneva-based bvo capital, a move set to push the firm’s total assets under management beyond the $2.8 billion mark. The deal reflects a broader trend of industry integration across European wealth management markets.