Chinese money fuels hiring spree among private banks in Hong Kong

Wealth managers are ramping up hiring in Hong Kong to cater to an inflow of mainland Chinese money.

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UBS Group is adding staff as it looks to double the assets it manages for millionaire clients in the region over the next three to five years. Bank of Singapore has boosted staff in Hong Kong by 30 per cent, while Julius Baer Group, a Swiss wealth manager, grew its office space in Hong Kong by 40 per cent last year along with hiring.

For the city, it’s a welcome reprieve after years of political turmoil, rigid Covid restrictions, and an exodus of people. Led by policies to entice the rich, the push is likely to see private wealth assets nearly doubling to US$2.3 trillion by 2030 as Chinese seek offshore diversification, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

“This year, we’ve seen an increase in mainland Chinese clients due to various government initiatives,” said Jamee Wong, head of private client, Greater China at the wealth management arm of UBS. “We’re strategically expanding our team in Hong Kong by hiring new client advisers and team heads.”

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Hong Kong has been rolling out the red carpet for family offices and the wealthy with tax concessions as well as residency plans. Affluent Chinese have moved billions to the city, seeking higher yielding investments and snapping up insurance. A flow of cash to rival Singapore has also slowed after the island state stepped up scrutiny following a blockbuster money laundering case.

While Chinese have for years sought to park their money offshore, Xi Jinping’s push for “common prosperity” has accelerated that process. The slowing economy and sinking property prices have also prompted the wealthy to look overseas.