BNP Paribas’ European strength for Asian entrepreneurs and families
With dual hubs in Asia, the bank helps regional clients navigate wealth management challenges and achieve sustainable growth for generations
As Asia’s private wealth landscape continues to expand, families and entrepreneurs are seeking ever more sophisticated solutions to manage, protect and grow their assets. This dynamic environment is driving the evolution of family office strategies that move beyond conventional models to focus not only on wealth creation but also on long-term preservation and seamless succession.
Navigating Asia’s wealth hubs
BNP Paribas Wealth Management’s presence in Asia is built on dual hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore. This dual-platform approach enables the bank to offer clients flexibility and access to the region’s most important financial centres.
“Having strong bases in Hong Kong and Singapore allows us to address the unique opportunities and challenges within Greater China, Southeast Asia and beyond,” explains Arnaud Tellier, Asia Pacific CEO at BNP Paribas Wealth Management. “Each hub offers distinct strengths, but together they provide our clients with seamless access to the region’s most important financial centres.”
Hong Kong remains a key gateway, especially for the wealth being generated in Greater China. “The IPO boom in Hong Kong is a positive indicator for the region, and many entrepreneurs are choosing to list locally to access global investors. Despite domestic challenges, we continue to see substantial wealth creation flowing through Hong Kong,” Tellier notes.
Singapore, too, is experiencing strong momentum driven by larger-cap clients with complex mandates. “In Singapore, we are seeing some transactions from larger clients this year, which have helped boost our overall assets. Market volatility has helped us, and we have a high reputation for structured products and derivatives. With the backing of a strong investment bank, it’s helped boost revenue and assets,” Tellier adds.
By leveraging the complementary strengths of both hubs, BNP Paribas offers clients local expertise, innovative solutions and the stability of a leading international financial institution. Tellier notes that Asia’s economic landscape is being reshaped by rapid wealth creation in mainland China, the expanding role of Taiwan as an asset management hub, and the increasing demand for sophisticated planning in Southeast Asia. “We believe these markets – supported by demographic trends, entrepreneurial wealth creation, investment diversification and ongoing financial market development – will remain some of the most promising in the world.”
Building enduring partnerships
With a holistic approach, BNP Paribas Wealth Management aims to support families and entrepreneurs as they navigate the complexities of building, preserving and passing on wealth.
“We consider ourselves not only as a wealth manager but also as a connecting platform among generations and various communities,” Tellier says. “Above all, we are dedicated to building long-term relationships and supporting our clients’ ambitions with integrity, stability and expertise.”
Asia’s wealth management landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by entrepreneurial success, intergenerational transitions and a rising demand for sophisticated solutions. “As a leading European bank with a robust balance sheet, we offer financial stability and resilience – qualities that are particularly valued in today’s rapidly changing world,” Tellier observes.
The bank’s ambition is to be the leading Eurozone bank for entrepreneurs and families, focusing on delivering greater value, deepening client relationships and expanding market presence. This vision is underpinned by the “One Bank” approach, which integrates investment and corporate banking capabilities for a holistic client experience.
“The One Bank model is about bringing together all the expertise and resources within BNP Paribas to serve our clients holistically,” Tellier notes. “It ensures they get the benefit of our full capabilities, tailored to their ambitions and challenges.”
Asia family offices
As family office needs evolve across Asia, Asian family offices are setting new global benchmarks for thoughtful succession and governance. According to the 2024 Asia-Pacific Family Office Report, jointly published by BNP Paribas Wealth Management and Campden Wealth, APAC family offices now lead in structured succession planning. Rather than simply adopting international models, Asian families are creating a unique hybrid, which includes global best practices, cultural heritage and a multigenerational vision.
This drive for innovation and adaptation means there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Each family’s approach is shaped by its distinctive history, priorities and ambitions. As Lemuel Lee, head of wealth management, Hong Kong at BNP Paribas, points out, “Asian families are not only writing a playbook rooted in tradition, they’re firmly establishing themselves as future global leaders in wealth stewardship.”
Meeting evolving needs
Establishing a family office in Asia offers significant advantages: centralised control, tailored strategies, privacy and access to a wide range of opportunities. Naturally, different families have different needs. For many mainland Chinese clients – often first-generation entrepreneurs – the focus is on business operations, international diversification and preparing for generational transitions. In contrast, families in Hong Kong and Singapore, often further along the generational journey, concentrate on managing global portfolios and orchestrating complex succession plans.
The evolving priorities of Asian families are redefining investment strategies. As they seek to diversify beyond traditional markets and capture new sources of long-term value, there is a growing preference for direct private investments in transformative sectors such as artificial intelligence, healthcare and renewable energy, according to the 2024 Asia-Pacific Family Office Report.
BNP Paribas is uniquely positioned to empower clients to seize these opportunities. The Group’s acquisition of AXA Investment Managers has significantly enhanced its private asset capabilities, establishing BNP Paribas as a leading European asset manager with more than €1.5 trillion (US$1.76 trillion) in assets under management and a truly global platform across both traditional and alternative investments. Lee says the benefits of these expanded resources include “unparalleled access to private market opportunities, deep sector expertise, and innovative solutions that reinforce our leadership in the market and our commitment to supporting the ambitions and legacies of Asia’s entrepreneurial families.”
Beyond investment access, BNP Paribas Wealth Management assists family offices with tailored governance frameworks, cross-generational education and advisory services designed to meet the distinct priorities of each family. “We see Asian family offices not merely as clients but as strategic partners in shaping a more connected, resilient, forward-looking wealth ecosystem,” says Lee, adding that “our approach supports families in building not just wealth but enduring influence. Every family is unique, and our role is to provide solutions that evolve with their goals – helping them build a legacy that endures.”
As family offices in Asia continue to set new standards for stewardship and innovation, BNP Paribas Wealth Management stands ready to partner with clients – empowering them to navigate complexity, embrace new opportunities and secure their influence for generations to come.