Navigating generational wealth: How UOB Private Bank’s DPM delivers stability through market cycles

ASIA’S wealth engine is accelerating. The region’s population of individuals with assets exceeding US$10 million grew by 5 per cent last year and is projected to rise by 8.7 per cent by 2028, according to Knight Frank’s 2025 Wealth Report.

At the same time, a McKinsey study revealed that Asia is on the cusp of a major wealth transfer, with an estimated US$5.8 trillion expected to change hands among Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) and High-Net-Worth (HNW) families by 2030.

“As more families seek professional support to manage their wealth, we are seeing strong growth in the DPM sector,” says Benny Lee, Head of DPM at UOB Private Bank. “Clients appreciate having a trusted team to oversee their portfolios, with the discipline and transparency that give them peace of mind.”

Best positioned for Asian generational wealth

Against this backdrop of generational transition, UOB Private Bank is well placed to support the ambitions of Asia’s families, combining foresight, regional connectivity, and disciplined investment stewardship.

As a third-generation bank, UOB understands first-hand the values, discipline and long-term vision needed to build and preserve wealth across time. This perspective resonates strongly with Asian families, many of whom are navigating their own growth, succession and legacy planning.

UOB’s extensive footprint across Asean and Greater China gives clients direct access to the region’s growth corridors. The bank combines its on-the-ground market expertise with cultural fluency, recognising that in Asia, wealth decisions are often shaped not only by investment outcomes but also by family dynamics, intergenerational priorities and business considerations. This ability to balance financial strategy with cultural understanding is an advantage few global players can match.

“As Asia’s prosperity grows, so do our clients’ aspirations – whether in business, family or legacy,” says Lee. “Our deep roots in Asean allow us to connect those ambitions to meaningful opportunities, helping families not only safeguard their wealth but also shape their legacy.”

The bank’s One Bank approach further integrates corporate banking, investments, and advisory into a seamless experience, making it easier for clients to manage their financial affairs and focus on what matters most.

These strengths complement UOB Private Bank’s DPM offering. It embodies the bank’s philosophy through a structured, insight-led approach, helping clients stay focused, make informed decisions, and navigate market cycles with confidence.

Meeting evolving client needs

As second- and third-generation HNWIs take the reins, expectations are changing, with many coming in with deeper market familiarity and a stronger preference for transparency and control. For them, digital engagement has become the standard, with clients expecting real-time visibility into their portfolios and personalised solutions that reflect not only their financial objectives but also their lifestyles, family priorities and legacies.

While some are setting up their own family offices for greater autonomy, many continue to seek institutional expertise, insights, and risk frameworks that a private bank can provide.

“Our role is to fill the gaps and provide support where needed,” says Lee.

CIO philosophy anchors DPM approach

UOB Private Bank’s DPM business was launched nine years ago, covering fixed income, balanced, and growth strategies. At its core is the philosophy of its Chief Investment Office (CIO), which champions advisory excellence that supports diverse investment journeys, from income generation and capital growth to legacy planning and philanthropy.

“We take a long-term view, managing our clients’ wealth with the same care as we would our own,” says Dr Neo Teng

Hwee, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Investment Products and Solutions at UOB Private Bank. “Our strategies are shaped by each client’s risk appetite and investment objectives, with the agility to seize opportunities even in volatile markets.”

This disciplined approach helps clients stay focused by filtering out short-term market noise. By entrusting investment

decisions to the DPM team, it reduces emotional reactions and cognitive biases ensuring portfolios remain strategically aligned with long-term goals.

Built on trust, proven in results

Trust is the cornerstone of DPM. When clients delegate the responsibility of managing their wealth, they expect foresight, integrity and accountability at every step. At UOB Private Bank, this trust is earned through transparency, consistent delivery, and open communication – giving clients the assurance that their wealth is in capable hands.

That assurance is also reinforced by performance. Clients often highlight the consistency of returns and the lower volatility in their DPM portfolios, which have consistently delivered top-quartile results.

This combination of trust and outcomes sets UOB Private Bank apart. It allows clients to focus on what truly matters – growing their businesses, nurturing their families and preserving legacies.

This commitment to stewardship has also been recognised externally, with UOB Private Bank named Best DPM in Singapore and Asia at the Euromoney Private Banking Awards 2025.

For Lee, the accolade is more than industry recognition. “It reflects the trust our clients place in us, and our responsibility to honour that trust every day,” he says.

Delivering peace of mind

For many clients, peace of mind comes not just from performance, but from knowing their wealth is guided by discipline through every market cycle.

One such client, supported by senior client adviser Shawn Ang, had a demanding career and little time to actively manage his wealth.

“We worked closely with our portfolio managers to tailor a strategy that fit his needs, and kept him updated regularly,” Ang says. Over time, the client shared that having professionals oversee his portfolio gave him stability and the confidence to stay the course, without the stress of day-to-day decisions.

That same steady approach was instrumental in navigating the pandemic-induced market correction in 2020. The team acted decisively to reduce risk exposure and later redeployed capital as conditions improved.

“We acted with conviction, and that made a difference,” Lee says.

These timely actions helped preserve client confidence in the team’s ability to safeguard and grow wealth, even in the most turbulent periods.

Confidence through transparency

Transparency and engagement remain central to the DPM experience. Clients have access to real-time dashboards via mobile and Web, along with timely CIO insights through reports and podcasts. They also receive periodic and ad hoc performance reports with commentary that provides clarity on positioning and progress.

This visibility, Lee says, goes hand in hand with active oversight. Portfolios are reviewed quarterly or semi-annually to ensure alignment with client goals and market conditions, with rebalancing carried out as needed.

Proactive dialogue during major market events or life milestones further ensures that portfolios remain resilient and responsive.

Looking ahead

To serve clients in an increasingly complex environment, the team is enhancing its toolkit with technology that improves timeliness and insight.

This includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) productivity tools to help portfolio managers track corporate developments as well as curate both macro and company-specific research. They are also assessing AI-driven portfolio optimisation and risk analytics.

At a broader level, UOB Private Bank is exploring AI applications such as chatbots and digital assistants for client engagement, as well as predictive analytics to better anticipate client needs and market shifts.

Yet even as innovation reshapes the industry, the bank remains anchored in its role as a trusted steward of wealth. With deep regional insight, disciplined investment and risk frameworks as well as a commitment to long-term generational success, UOB Private Bank continues to stand alongside its clients, helping families navigate change and build legacies that last.

The material contained in this publication is intended for information only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, recommendation or advice for investment as it does not take into account personal investment objectives, specific investment goals or financial situation. UOB does not accept any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage howsoever caused, in particular, by any use of or reliance on the opinions or views expressed, or information contained, in this publication which may be subject to change due to dynamic market conditions.