What’s top-of-mind for intermediaries in 2026?

“Financial Intermediaries today face the dual challenge of helping clients reposition portfolios amid geopolitical and technological shifts, while building scale and diversification in their own businesses.”



Lim Leong Guan 
Global Head of Financial Intermediaries, 
Family Office & Wealth Advisory and Global Head of Investment Solutions Group
Bank of Singapore

Lim Leong Guan

Expansion and partnerships accelerate as client experience takes focus

Financial intermediaries (FIMs) across key Asian hubs are prioritising geographical expansion and strategic partnerships to capture growth, while elevating client experience through enhanced advisory and engagement.

Client experience

Client experience

63% of FIMs are prioritising their clients and expect growth to come from deepening relationships.
Expansion and partnerships

Expansion and partnerships

52% of FIMs adopt diversification mindset by exploring new markets and partners.
AI digital transformation

AI digital transformation

46% of FIMs recognise AI as beneficial for the organisation and signals long-term capability building.

Intermediaries see shift to fixed income ahead of rate cuts

The FIM Survey highlights a clear shift in investment preferences, with stronger demand for fixed income, growing interest in alternatives, and increased adoption of ETFs as efficient building blocks for diversified portfolios.

Fixed income

31% of FIMs expect rates to be normalised, prompting a renewed tilt toward fixed income for stable yield and risk‑adjusted returns.

Alternative investments

24% of FIMs see alternatives continue to gain traction as intermediaries look to reduce volatility and generate uncorrelated returns.

ETFs

23% of FIMs see ETFs as an accessible tool for cost‑efficient diversification, tactical adjustments, and thematic exposure.

Diversification as the core response to heightened geopolitical risk

With 47% of respondents citing geopolitical tensions as the biggest macroeconomic risk —and 35% pointing to economic uncertainty and market volatility as their biggest organisational challenge— financial institutions are sharpening their focus on resilience.

 
As a result, 42% of respondents plan to prioritise diversification as their primary strategy to mitigate geopolitical risk and enhance portfolio resilience.

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Bank of Singapore is recognised as Best Private Bank – Intermediaries at the Asian Private Banker 15th Awards for Distinction and the Citywire Asia Private Banking Awards.

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About the survey

Bank of Singapore’s latest survey uncovers the top-of-mind priorities for financial intermediaries (FIMs). The survey was carried out between November 2025 and January 2026, gathered perspectives from 90 FIMs senior leaders and client-facing professionals across Singapore, Greater China and Dubai.


FIMs, also known as independent asset managers, serve high net-worth individuals, family offices and institutional investors, and are gaining traction in Asia, driven by a new generation of clients who value autonomy, transparency, and tailored advice. 

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