If you are an HNW who is looking to invest and diversify into Asian markets to build or preserve your wealth, it would make sense to partner an Asian private bank that can offer seamless end-to-end solutions to meet such needs.
Bank of Singapore was formed in 2010 after OCBC Bank acquired ING Asia Private Bank. It is the dedicated private banking subsidiary of one of the world’s strongest and safest banks and has an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. With its international private banking capabilities and comprehensive product platform, it is able to source the best financial solutions for clients. This includes products from any part of the world, not just Asia.
Bank of Singapore’s product offering is not limited to what is available in-house, and its clients have access not only to more choice but also to better quality. The bank scrutinises financial products objectively — even those from member companies of the OCBC group — before recommending the best that fit clients’ investment profiles. This is made possible because Bank of Singapore has one of the largest inhouse product and research teams in Asia, comprising 160 analysts and specialists, acting in full independence, in the interest of the client.
The bank’s strong research capabilities ensure that clients have the information to make the right investment decisions in fixed income, equities, foreign exchange, funds and hedge funds as well as portfolio management, trust and insurance products.
Bank of Singapore clients enjoy convenient access to a broad array of commercial banking, specialist financial and wealth management services of the OCBC group, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
Clients can tap into OCBC Bank’s network of more than 630 branches and representative offices in eighteen countries and territories, including its key markets in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. There are more than 330 branches and offices in Indonesia operated by subsidiary Bank OCBC NISP and 95 branches and offices in Hong Kong, China and Macau, under OCBC Wing Hang.
With its international private banking capabilities and comprehensive product platform, as well as its strong parentage and access to universal banking services through OCBC Bank, Bank of Singapore is well positioned to be your global private bank in Asia.
While it is important to offer a comprehensive product platform, care for clients and helping them to manage risks are key priorities at the bank. ‘A good banker is one who pulls back the client when the going is good because that is when people tend to be exuberant and act excessively,’ says Bank of Singapore’s CEO, Bahren Shaari. ‘And in a crisis, when the markets are cratering, a banker has to be grounded and not add to the client’s fears.’
Mr Shaari adds that bankers and their clients should be able to communicate honestly when asked the question, ‘Would you be prepared to hold on to the investments in your portfolio today?’ ‘Risk management should be your number one priority. Investment returns are only number two,’ he says.