Rich Asian investors enjoy trading: Barclays Wealth

[SINGAPORE] Rich Asians like to trade, especially in foreign exchange (FX) and derivatives, and they do it well, said Didier von Daeniken, chief executive of Barclays Wealth, Asia Pacific. "Asian clients have the ability to move from asset class to asset class," he said.

The perception that they are gamblers is misconceived, as most understand their trades and end up making money, Mr von Daeniken said in a recent interview. "Having been in Singapore 12 years, I don't think they gamble; they understand financial markets, as well as the companies they follow," he said.

Many would have 20 years of experience in financial markets and there is strong demand for derivative products for the companies these clients follow, said Mr von Daeniken, who has been a private banker for 24 years, the last seven with Barclays.