Affluent investors globally are increasingly looking beyond their home markets to grow and diversify their wealth, with Singapore emerging as their top choice in Asia to open an overseas investment account, according to HSBC's 2025 Affluent Investor Snapshot (AIS).

Based on data gathered from 10,797 individual investors across 12 markets, the AIS provides insights into investors' asset diversification strategies, their confidence in achieving financial goals and preferred channels for wealth advice. It also reinforces Singapore's strong appeal as a trusted and stable international wealth hub, ranking alongside the United States and Hong Kong as one of the top three destinations globally.

While the United States ranks as the top market for boosting international exposure, affluent investors based in key wealth hubs - including Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, UK and US - intend to invest both domestically and diversifying globally.

Globally, four in 10 affluent investors say they plan to invest internationally within the next 12 months, with the highest appetite seen in the UAE (56%) and Singapore (50%).

Affluent investors are utilising a wider range of instruments, favouring gold

Globally, although cash is still the top allocation (20%), investors have cut their cash holdings by almost 40% since last year, signalling a stronger push to invest. Similarly, Singapore investors have reduced their cash holdings; however, cash remains the top asset class in their portfolios at 24%, followed by equities at 18% and bonds at 17%.

Compared with 2024, Singapore investors have increased their allocations to gold and precious metals by 40%, and showed greater interest in investing in alternative assets, such as private equity and hedge funds, as well as real estate investment trusts (REITs). In contrast, global investors raised their gold allocations by 120% and doubled their investments in alternative assets such as private equity and hedge funds.

Two out of three Singapore respondents confident of their financial future

Despite global macro uncertainty and rising living costs, nearly two-thirds of affluent investors in Singapore remain confident in achieving their long-term financial goals. Gen Z and Millennials are leading in confidence with nearly 70% feeling assured about reaching their long-term goals, outpacing Gen X and Baby Boomers (60%). Saving for vacations and leisure (47%) has also overtaken financial security as the top financial goal for investors although investors remain focused on wealth building (46%) and retirement planning (47%).

Professional advice still reigns for Singapore investors

Based on the study, Singapore affluent investors are more proactive in managing their wealth and seeking financial information from various channels. However, when it comes to selecting wealth solutions, they prioritise professional financial guidance with bank relationship managers and wealth specialists (65%) remaining their top choice for investment decisions, followed by stockbrokers (28%). In contrast, global investors seek advice from wealth specialists and relationship managers (64%) and friends or colleagues (29%).

When gathering information, Singapore affluent investors' top three channels are social platforms (42%), bank digital platforms (34%), and search engines (31%). This differs slightly from global investors, whose top channels are social platforms (49%), bank digital platforms (39%), and non-bank digital channels (36%). Ashmita Acharya, head of international wealth and premier banking, HSBC Singapore said, "It is heartening to see the next generation of affluent investors take more proactive steps in shaping their financial future with greater confidence. Wealth planning is a lifelong journey, and building strong financial habits early is key to achieving long term financial goals. With tools like HSBC Future Planner along with our wealth advisory capabilities, we are committed to being a trusted partner at every stage of our clients' wealth journey."

Redisseminated by The Asian Banker