Five factors set to disrupt Singapore’s financial advice business

2026 Singapore Financial Advisors Survey

Singapore’s financial advice sector is entering a period of significant disruption according to a new report from Natixis Investment Managers. The report: “Five factors set to disrupt Singapore’s financial advice business,” draws on research conducted in collaboration with CoreData, which surveyed 2,950 professionals across 23 countries. It examines the shifting challenges and evolving client needs facing local advisors, and reveals five key factors shaping how they grow, compete, and deliver value, while also providing actionable strategies they can implement today.

Despite the conflict in the Middle East, a global energy shock, geopolitical realignment and interest rate uncertainty, Singapore financial advisors remain optimistic. According to the report, Singapore advisors expect to grow assets under management by 12.7% (compared to 11.9% for global advisors) over the next year and are projecting an average annual asset growth of 14.0% (compared to 12.8% for global advisors) over the next three years.

Achieving these growth targets will not be straightforward however. Advisors must contend with a range of structural challenges facing the industry – from new technologies and competition from AI to an ageing demographic and lower client penetration with young investors.

Five key growth challenges for Singapore advisors:

• Keeping clients invested in uncertain times is becoming harder. 71% of clients want to hold more cash due to increased geopolitical and economic uncertainty and 73% of advisors in Singapore say their clients are demanding greater geographic diversification in their portfolios.
  
  
• Capitalizing on AI. While Singapore advisors are some of the global frontrunners in using AI, 80% already use AI compared to a global average of 71%, they are also among the most likely to report pressure from their firms to use AI in their own practices. 76% of advisors expect the market to be AI driven for decades.
  
  
• Digitization is shifting competition. 55% of Singapore advisors expect AI-enhanced DIY investing tools will be their biggest competitor in five years, significantly above the global average of 43%. However only 35% believe it will put them out of business.
  
  
• An aging client base. Advisors are being challenged to rethink their new client pipeline as older clients pass on their wealth to the next generation. 51% of Singapore advisors believe the wealth transfer will be an existential business threat.
  
  
• An aging advisor base.  83% of advisors expect asset flows from other advisors retiring – but 45% say they  can’t hire people fast enough to replace those retiring.

Dora Seow, CEO, Natixis IM Singapore, said: “In today's geopolitical environment, advisors are under real pressure to offer clients genuine diversification and the confidence to stay invested. At the same time, they're weighing what AI means for the industry – aware they must adapt quickly, but clearly focused on the opportunity rather than the threat. We are seeing this on the ground in the region, with firms actively rethinking their strategies, integrating digital tools, and looking beyond traditional markets like the US toward liquid products in other geographies.”

Explore the report in full

Download “2026 Singapore Financial Advisors Survey” to unlock the full survey results and explore deeper insights on:

• How local financial advisors can manage investor behavior in volatile markets
• The evolving role of AI in portfolios and practices
• Competing in a digital-first advice landscape
• Winning the next generation of clients
• Planning for succession and long-term business growth
• Actionable strategies advisors can implement today.