Overview
- 62% of Singaporean clients are comfortable with AI supported advice, but 30% of advisors think clients will never be comfortable with it
- 48% of Singaporean investors would buy crypto assets through their traditional wealth manager if they offered it
- 67% of wealth managers in Asia believe ESG investing is important for client engagement, outpacing sentiment in Europe
- Singaporean wealth managers spend 66% of their time on non-client activities
- Singaporean clients see fast responses and clear communication as essential, with 89% of Singaporean investors saying quick responses are important for trust
SINGAPORE, 24 SEPTEMBER 2025 — The global wealth management sector is at a pivotal crossroads, grappling with brisk demand for digital assets, even as its own operational systems fail to keep pace.
The challenges were laid out in the Avaloq Wealth Insights 2025 report, released on the sidelines of the Avaloq Community Conference 2025 Singapore.
It said traditional firms must improve clear communication or risk losing the trust of their highly demanding clients.
Avaloq is celebrating its 40th birthday and the 15th anniversary of establishing its Singapore office. Its software helps over 170 customers in 35 countries manage more than US$5.1 trillion in assets for their HNW clients.
The Crypto Gold Rush: Traditional Banks Must Act
Investor adoption of crypto and digital assets has seen a 5-percentage-point rise globally. More strikingly, the number of investors buying these assets through traditional banks and wealth managers has nearly doubled in the last year, jumping from 13% to 24%. This shift proves that clients are increasingly looking to trusted institutional providers rather than decentralized exchanges, which 35% of investors still distrust.
This trend presents a massive growth opportunity. Globally, 47% of non-crypto investors would consider investing if the option were offered by their current bank or wealth manager. In Singapore, this figure is 48%. The message is clear: traditional banks must transform into a “one-stop shop” for all client assets by integrating crypto trading and custody into existing service portfolios to unlock new growth.
Beyond assets, investor expectations are soaring. Clear communication ranks as a top priority for 77% of investors globally, second only to professional risk management. In Singapore, where 55% of investors are highly loyal, trust hinges on speed: 89% of Singaporean investors say quick responses are important for trust, with 62% expecting an answer within one day.
The Adviser Time Crisis: The Barrier to Personalization
Despite rising demands for personalized service, wealth management professionals are fighting a losing battle against time constraints. Globally, 38% of wealth managers cited a lack of time as the main barrier to delivering personalized services. This problem is acute in Singapore, where 73% of wealth managers cite time constraints as preventing personalization.
The data explains why: advisers globally spend 66% of their time on non-client activities. Tasks like drafting investment proposals are cited as too time-consuming by 62% of Singaporean wealth managers. Furthermore, a significant portion of professionals are hampered by outdated infrastructure; 70% of Singaporean wealth managers report their systems are outdated, far exceeding the 40% global average.
AI and Automation: The Only Way Out
To free advisers to focus on meaningful client relationships, technology investment is critical. Wealth managers’ wish lists prioritize automation: 90% globally want automated compliance reporting, and 86% desire simplified or automated client onboarding. Avaloq’s strategy reflects this, focusing on increasing operational efficiency and accelerating cloud transformation to provide a strategic business foundation.
There is overwhelming consensus on the necessity of Artificial Intelligence (AI). 86% of wealth managers globally believe AI will benefit the industry, and 81% see it as integral to their future work. Optimism is highest in Singapore, where 93% believe AI will be beneficial. By deploying AI to handle routine processes and eliminating inefficient manual tasks like compliance reporting and portfolio management, wealth managers can enable advisers to spend more time interacting with clients.
The future success of wealth managers requires embracing these digital transformations to support the entire continuum of wealth, from Mass Affluent to UHNW clients. As ESG also becomes central to value creation—rising in importance from 41% to 67% in Asia—only firms leveraging integrated, intelligent platforms will be agile enough to meet the evolving demands of both clients and regulators.
About the speaker:
Pascal Wengi
Managing Director for Region International and Group Executive Board Member
Avaloq
Pascal Wengi oversees Avaloq’s international markets, including Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and now the United Kingdom and Ireland. Joining Avaloq in 2020, he quickly rose through leadership roles, reflecting his expertise in financial technology. With over 15 years of experience, Pascal has worked with leading tech vendors in Asia and Switzerland, including Crealogix. Based in Hong Kong, he focuses on expanding Avaloq’s global presence and delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower financial institutions to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry.
Vibhooti Chaturvedi
Regional Director for South Asia and Australia
Avaloq.
Vibhooti Chaturvedi leads Avaloq’s operations across South Asia and Australia, driving digital transformation for banks and wealth managers. With two decades of experience in core banking, digital banking, and wealth management software, he plays a pivotal role in expanding Avaloq’s footprint in the region. Based in Singapore, Vibhooti works closely with financial institutions to implement innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and client engagement, ensuring Avaloq remains a trusted partner in the evolving wealth management landscape.
Gallery:
5W1H summary:
| Category | Key points |
|---|---|
| What | Crypto demand surges via traditional managers. AI-supported advice adoption in Singapore. ESG importance rises across Asia, ASEAN. |
| How | Banks integrate crypto trading and custody. AI automates compliance and onboarding processes. Fast, clear client communication builds trust. |
| Why | Clients prefer trusted banks over exchanges. Quick responses drive trust in Singapore. Outdated systems block personalization, especially Singapore. |
| Who | Singapore investors, ASEAN clients, HNW segments. Wealth managers, advisers, traditional banks. Avaloq, partners, regulators, compliance teams. |
| Where | Singapore, Asia, Europe wealth markets. ASEAN markets: Singapore, Malaysia, regional hubs. Traditional banks, digital platforms, custody providers. |
| When | Report released 24 September 2025, Singapore. Crypto purchases doubled in last year. Near-term priorities: automation, AI adoption. |
FAQs:
- What is the main takeaway from Avaloq Wealth Insights 2025? The wealth sector faces a demand surge for digital assets and faster service, while legacy systems and manual processes hinder responsiveness and personalization.
- How are crypto buying patterns changing among investors? Investor crypto adoption rose by 5 percentage points globally, and purchases via traditional banks nearly doubled from 13% to 24%, signaling growing trust in incumbents over decentralized exchanges.
- Why should traditional banks integrate crypto trading and custody? Because 47% of non-crypto investors globally—and 48% in Singapore—would consider investing if their current provider offered it, enabling banks to become a one-stop shop and unlock new growth.
- What do Singapore investors expect from their wealth managers? Speed and clarity: 89% say quick responses are crucial for trust, and 62% expect answers within one day, making clear communication a top loyalty driver in Singapore.
- What is blocking personalization for advisers? Time constraints and outdated infrastructure: 73% of Singapore wealth managers cite lack of time, and 70% report outdated systems (vs. 40% globally), limiting tailored engagement.
- How much time is spent on non-client activities? Roughly two-thirds. Advisers globally—and in Singapore—spend about 66% of their time on non-client work. Drafting proposals is notably time-consuming for 62% in Singapore.
- Where does AI help the most in wealth management? Automation of routine tasks: compliance reporting (90% want it automated), simplified onboarding (86%), and scalable portfolio management—freeing advisers for client-facing work.
- Are clients comfortable with AI-supported advice? Yes, especially in Singapore: 61% of clients are comfortable. Yet 30% of advisers believe clients will never be comfortable—highlighting a perception gap.
- How important is ESG for Asian investors now? Very: ESG importance in Asia rose from 41% to 67%, outpacing Europe. It’s now central to value creation across Mass Affluent to UHNW segments in Asia and ASEAN.
- Who is Avaloq and what is its scale? Avaloq provides core and front-to-back wealth platforms to 170 clients in 35 countries, supporting over US$5.1 trillion in assets. It marks 40 years globally and 15 years in Singapore.
- When and where was the 2025 report released? On 24 September 2025 in Singapore, alongside the Avaloq Community Conference 2025 Singapore.
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