Investing in tomorrow

Shaping the future of asset and wealth management

Navigating the future of banking: Resiliency, innovation and technology
  • Event
  • October 16, 2024

Post event insights from PwC Singapore’s Asset and Wealth Management Conference 2024

This blog aims to share our comprehensive recap of our Asset and Wealth Management Conference 2024, where we delved into the intricate and dynamic landscape of the Asia Pacific region. This event offered an in-depth analysis of the multifaceted forces shaping the future of this vibrant region, and we hope these insights served as a valuable resource, sparking meaningful dialogue and fostering collaboration across the region.

We were also honoured to have Assoc. Prof. Simon Tay join us as the keynote speaker for our conference. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the geopolitical and economic landscape in the Asia Pacific region, highlighting significant geopolitical tensions, societal shifts, and the growing importance of ASEAN’s digital economy.

These factors are crucial for asset managers as they navigate the evolving nature of the region. Asia Pacific’s role as a neutral intermediary in global trade, along with the strengthening of its digital economy, offers both opportunities and challenges for investment strategies.  

Read more about the key highlights discussed at the conference in the blog below.  Together, we can harness the opportunities and address the challenges that lie ahead, steering the Asia Pacific region towards a stronger and resilient future.

Key themes discussed at the conference

Tomorrow's leading asset manager

The panel explored the future of asset management amidst a dynamic macroeconomic landscape and geopolitical risks. Discussions focused on emerging regional markets, the shift towards private wealth, growth of alternatives and private markets, and the evolution of asset managers.

Asset managers have observed that alternative assets benefit from the evolving landscape as investors seek diversification in their portfolios, products with lower volatility, and enhanced returns. Infrastructure and technology, in particular, are anticipated to see an influx of capital. Real estate may see a turnaround in the coming year as the cost of financing reduces and the behavioral changes from work-from-home arrangements during COVID dissipate. Real estate transactional activities have picked up during the year. Due to ASEAN's neutrality, emerging markets within the region will be key beneficiaries of investor interest.

In identifying the best portfolio mix, asset managers need to leverage AI's data-crunching capabilities to provide useful insights. This is crucial given the wealth of available data. More data has been created in the last three years than in all of human history combined. Trend analysis is key to identifying market gaps.

Major asset managers have partnered with universities and tech companies to integrate artificial intelligence into their investment processes. Ensuring data quality and fine-tuning algorithms to reflect investment purposes has been a painstaking process for many. However, there is consensus that AI is beneficial and necessary for the industry's future.

The growth in wealth potential within the region and the anticipated generational shift in wealth to next-gen investors are shifting asset managers' focus towards private wealth and individual client assets with varying expectations. The higher the client's net worth, the more demanding and sophisticated their requirements. Ultra High Net Worth Individuals seek bespoke investments rather than cookie-cutter solutions. As investors become more informed, their demands will evolve, further accelerated by AI. Asset managers need to stay ahead of these changing expectations and understand that the emotional attachment to every dollar is high. Personal understanding of each investor's needs and wants, and leveraging technology to enhance the customer experience, is key to retaining and attracting investors.

Capital raising continues to be challenging as asset managers explore new and emerging regional markets for capital. Select foreign asset managers are re-entering India and we are seeing a growing expansion into the Middle East for fund raising. Ongoing governmental support for the growth of the financial services industry in the Middle East has increased its attractiveness as an investment hub and destination for asset managers. This also holds true for Japan, where barriers to entry for asset managers are softening and government efforts are changing the perspective of private wealth.

Closer to home, there is still untapped wealth in emerging countries. To stay relevant, it is crucial to understand clients, their cultural background, needs, and wants, to fine-tune products that meet their investment purposes. 

The future of private markets in Asia and the role of private capital

The panel discussion focused on the increasing demand for alternative investments as investors aim to diversify their portfolios. Key areas of discussion included the evolving landscape of private capital, geographic diversification, and the inclusion of retail investors.

The panel highlighted a growing focus on alternative asset classes such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and venture capital. These asset classes are becoming increasingly attractive to investors seeking diversification and higher returns. Additionally, there is a rising interest in geographic diversification, particularly in Southeast Asia. The region's economic tailwinds are drawing investors looking for new opportunities beyond traditional markets.

The inclusion of retail investors in private capital markets was discussed as a significant trend. This shift is opening up alternative investment opportunities to a broader base of investors, democratising access to private capital. Technological advancements, particularly in AI and data analytics, are enhancing due diligence processes and streamlining operations, helping investors make more informed decisions and improve investment management efficiency.

The introduction and growing popularity of perpetual funds were discussed as a response to evolving investor needs for income and sustainability. These funds offer continuous investment opportunities, aligning with long-term investment goals. The panel emphasised the importance of collaboration to maximize impact, with partnerships with local players seen as a strategic approach to navigate and capitalise on regional opportunities effectively.

Key sectors identified for potential investment opportunities include technology, healthcare, and consumer goods, expected to offer significant growth prospects and returns for investors. In conclusion, the demand for alternative investments is on the rise as investors seek diversification and new opportunities. Emerging asset classes, geographic diversification, and the inclusion of retail investors are key trends shaping the landscape. Technological innovations such as AI and perpetual funds are enhancing investment processes and meeting evolving investor needs. Strategic collaboration and focus on high-growth sectors like technology, healthcare, and consumer goods are essential for maximizing investment impact.

Harnessing the power of GenAI and emerging technologies for tomorrow

The final session of the day centered on the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on asset and wealth management. The discussion focused on several key areas, including customer experience, investment strategies, and ethical challenges. Panellists shared their experiences and insights into specific use cases and broader industry-wide implications.

AI can be used to provide personalised financial advice by analysing customer data and offering tailored recommendations, enhancing the customer experience. Additionally, AI plays a crucial role in automating routine financial tasks, leading to faster and more efficient customer service. In terms of investment strategies, AI technologies are optimising portfolio management through advanced algorithms that analyse market trends and data, enabling better investment decisions. The use of AI in managing investments is also improving operational efficiency by handling large volumes of transactions and data processing with minimal human intervention.

The discussion highlighted future breakthroughs in AI, such as advanced predictive analytics expected to bring more precise investment strategies, and sophisticated personalisation techniques that will further enhance the customer experience. From an industry-wide perspective, the panel emphasised the need to balance new AI-driven skills with traditional financial expertise, requiring a workforce proficient in both areas. The industry must also foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptation to keep pace with rapid advancements in AI technologies.

Ethical challenges were a significant point of discussion, with the panel stressing the importance of maintaining transparency, accountability, and fairness in the application of AI to ensure trust and integrity within the industry.

The session underscored the profound impact AI is having on asset and wealth management, particularly in enhancing customer experience and optimising investment strategies. While AI offers numerous advantages, it also presents challenges, particularly in terms of ethics and the need for a balanced skill set. As AI continues to evolve, the financial services industry must adapt and address these challenges to fully leverage the technology's potential.

We hope this conference served as a valuable resource, sparking meaningful dialogue and fostering collaboration across the region. Together, we can harness the opportunities and address the challenges that lie ahead, steering the APAC region towards a prosperous and resilient future.

Take a glimpse of the event

PwC professionals

Asset and Wealth Management Leader, PwC Singapore

Partner, Asset and Wealth Management Tax, PwC Singapore

Partner, Asset and Wealth Management – Private Equity, PwC Singapore

Partner, Asset and Wealth Management Tax, PwC Singapore

Partner, Asia Pacific Digital Assets and Support Services, PwC Singapore

Partner, Asset and Wealth Management ESG, PwC Singapore

Global Asset and Wealth Management Leader, PwC United Kingdom

Asset and Wealth Management Global Assurance Leader, PwC US

Asset and Wealth Management - Europe, Middle East and Africa Leader, PwC Luxembourg

Director, Asset and Wealth Management, PwC Singapore

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Contact us

Paul Pak

Paul Pak

Asset and Wealth Management Leader, PwC Singapore

Tel: +65 9622 4233

Christina Mason

Christina Mason

Partner, Asset and Wealth Management ESG, PwC Singapore

Tel: +65 9018 1559

Xing Yao Kek

Xing Yao Kek

Director, PwC Singapore

Tel: +65 8368 3173