Singapore has emerged as one of the world’s top five financial hubs, climbing from ninth place in 2015 as it continues to attract foreign bank assets, wealth flows and cross-border investment activity, according to London-based think tank New Financial.
Bloomberg reported that the city-state’s rise places it alongside the US, UK and Hong Kong in the global top tier, overtaking established centres such as China and Luxembourg in rankings based on international financial activity, including assets under management (AUM), foreign bank holdings and fundraising volumes.
Singapore’s AUM surged to S$6.7 trillion (RM21.1 trillion) by the end of 2025, reflecting sustained inflows from global investors and high-net-worth individuals amid shifting policy and geopolitical dynamics in other jurisdictions.
The report noted that Singapore has benefitted from growing capital reallocation as wealthy clients reassess where they park assets, boosting its status as a preferred wealth management hub in Asia.
Global banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co have expanded their presence in the city-state to tap into the expanding wealth pool, while regulators are also working with private banks to streamline account opening processes to as fast as one month under a “risk-appropriate” framework for affluent clients.
New Financial’s ranking, which focuses on cross-border financial activity rather than domestic banking size, also highlighted other fast-growing hubs over the past decade, including India, Ireland and Canada.
Singapore’s ascent underscores its strengthening position as a global gateway for wealth management and international capital flows.
