Hong Kong posted strong wealth management growth in 2020

A survey published in July by the Securities & Futures Commission (SFC) found that the asset and wealth management business in Hong Kong recorded a 21% year-on-year increase in assets under management (AUM) to HK$34,931 billion (US$4,505 billion) at the end of 2020.

The AUM of the asset management and fund advisory business conducted by licensed corporations and registered institutions increased 20% to HK$24,038 billion and the AUM of the private banking and private wealth management business grew 25% to HK$11,316 billion.

“Hong Kong experienced strong growth in asset management, fund advisory, private banking and private wealth management business which was supported by strong net fund inflows in 2020,” said the SFC’s Executive Director of Investment Products Christina Choi. “Strengthening Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a leading asset and wealth management centre will remain one of the SFC’s top priorities in the coming year.”

Other highlights of the survey included:

• Net fund inflows of HK$2,035 billion (US$262 billion) were recorded for the asset and wealth management business during 2020, accounting for 33% of the year-on-year increase in AUM.
• Assets held under trusts increased 17% to HK$4,480 billion (US$578 billion).
• Non-Hong Kong investors remained a major source of funding for the asset and wealth management business, accounting for 64% of AUM.
• The total number of staff in the asset and wealth management business increased 6% to 48,006.

Asset and wealth management business comprises asset management, fund advisory, private banking and private wealth management, SFC-authorised real estate investment trusts and assets held under trusts.