Top Wealth Advisors for Expats in Singapore Compared

Singapore expats can choose from Singapore-based wealth advisors, investment platforms and private banks, as well as global wealth management providers.

This guide compares Singapore options, including Providend, Endowus, StashAway, DBS and UOB.

It also covers global alternatives, including Adam Fayed, HSBC Global Wealth Management and UBS Wealth Management, for expats seeking international investment and cross-border support.

Adam Fayed works with licensed partners, regulated advisors and international investment platforms to help eligible clients access cross-border investment options suited to their circumstances.

Different providers may suit different investors depending on their objectives, risk tolerance, investment amount and need for local or international access.

Inclusion does not constitute an endorsement or ranking. Investors should independently assess each provider’s regulatory status, fees, investment approach, risks and suitability.

Key Takeaways

• Singapore-based advisors range from digital platforms and independent firms to private banks.
• Global advisors provide alternatives for expats with more international financial arrangements.
• Minimums vary widely, from no minimums on some digital portfolios to US$5 million.
• Advisor suitability is based on regulatory status, costs, service scope and the complexity of an expat's finances.

My contact details are hello@adamfayed.com and WhatsApp ‪+44-7393-450-837 if you have any questions.

The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What are the best wealth advisors in Singapore for expats?

Singapore-based wealth advisors for expats include independent firms such as Providend, digital platforms such as Endowus and StashAway, and major banks such as DBS and UOB.

Providend

Providend is a Singapore-based independent wealth advisory and fund management firm that describes itself as a fee-only wealth advisor.

It is listed by MAS as an exempt financial adviser and also holds a Capital Markets Services license for fund management.

The firm's retirement planning focus can be particularly relevant to expats who are building assets for retirement rather than simply seeking investment products.

• Model: Singapore-based, fee-only wealth advisory
• MAS status: Exempt Financial Adviser; Capital Markets Services Licensee for fund management
• Minimum: S$2 million starting investment for its full-suite wealth advisory service
• Key services: Wealth advisory, investment management, retirement planning
• Expat relevance: High for HNW clients requiring comprehensive planning and an independent advisory relationship

Endowus

Endowus is a Singapore-based digital wealth advisor and investment platform offering personal investing, private wealth, CPF and SRS services.

Its Singapore entity is listed by MAS as a Capital Markets Services Licensee and Exempt Financial Adviser.

Its private wealth service provides portfolio construction, ongoing advice and access to institutional share classes.

Endowus also supports portfolios denominated or hedged in SGD, USD, AUD, EUR and GBP, which can be relevant to internationally mobile investors.

For private wealth, Endowus publishes tiered fees rather than a single rate.

Its private-wealth alternatives fee currently ranges from 0.40% to 0.60% per year, depending on assets, while other services have separate pricing structures.

• Model: Singapore-based digital wealth advisor and investment platform
• MAS status: Capital Markets Services Licensee; Exempt Financial Adviser
• Minimum: S$1,000 initial investment; higher minimums may apply to specific products
• Key services: Portfolio management, investment advice, CPF/SRS, private markets and multi-currency portfolios
• Expat relevance: Investors seeking digital access to internationally diversified and multi-currency portfolios

StashAway

StashAway is a Singapore-based digital wealth platform offering globally diversified portfolios, flexible investment strategies and wealth services for accredited investors.

Its operating entity, Asia Wealth Platform, is listed by MAS as a Capital Markets Services Licensee and Exempt Financial Adviser.

Its investment platform offers globally diversified portfolios, Flexible Portfolios and income-focused strategies.

StashAway Reserve adds a dedicated wealth advisory service for eligible accredited investors, including financial planning sessions and portfolio reviews.

For its standard investment portfolios, StashAway publishes a tiered management fee ranging from 0.8% on the first S$25,000 to 0.2% on amounts above S$1 million.

Its Flexible Portfolio has a 0.2%–0.8% annual management fee, while its single-ETF Flexible Portfolio is charged at 0.3%.

There is no minimum investment for the Flexible Portfolio.

Reserve requires an investment of at least S$250,000 to retain access after the applicable grace period, alongside its accredited-investor eligibility requirements.

• Model: Singapore-based digital wealth platform
• MAS status: Capital Markets Services Licensee; Exempt Financial Adviser
• Minimum: No minimum for Flexible Portfolios; S$250,000 for StashAway Reserve
• Key services: Global portfolios, income investing, financial planning and private market access
• Expat relevance: Investors seeking digital access to globally diversified portfolios, with higher-tier wealth services available to eligible accredited investors

DBS Wealth Management

DBS offers Singapore expats a tiered wealth management structure ranging from DBS Treasures at S$350,000 in investible assets to DBS Private Bank at US$5 million.

The bank provides investment products across global markets and currencies, alongside portfolio management, wealth planning and succession planning.

Its private banking offering also includes access to private equity opportunities and liquidity facilities.

For DBS Private Bank clients, the published fee schedule includes an annual service fee of US$10,900 including GST, although DBS may waive the fee at its discretion when the relevant AUM threshold is exceeded.

• Model: Singapore-based bank wealth management and private banking
• Minimum: S$350,000 for DBS Treasures; S$1.5 million for Treasures Private Client; US$5 million for Private Bank
• Key services: Investment management, wealth planning, private banking, succession planning and financing
• International access: Global markets, currencies and private equity opportunities
• Expat relevance: Expats seeking banking and wealth management through one institution

UOB Privilege Banking

UOB Privilege Banking provides Singapore expats with wealth advisory, investment management and financial planning services from S$350,000 in qualifying assets.

Its advisory service includes portfolio analysis across asset classes, currencies, geographies and sectors, while its investment platform provides access to unit trusts and other investment products.

UOB also highlights regional support across ASEAN through a single point of contact.

For higher-wealth clients, UOB offers additional services with higher asset requirements.

Certain Privilege Banking programs refer to clients with at least S$1.5 million in qualifying assets and S$300,000 in wealth holdings.

• Model: Singapore-based bank wealth management
• Minimum: S$350,000 in qualifying assets for UOB Privilege Banking
• Key services: Wealth advisory, investment management, portfolio analysis and financial planning
• International access: Regional ASEAN support and investments across multiple asset classes and currencies
• Expat relevance: Expats seeking a Singapore banking relationship with regional wealth management services

What global alternatives to Singapore wealth advisors are available to expats?

Global alternatives to Singapore-based wealth advisors for expats include Adam Fayed, Valerius Wealth and, specifically for US citizens, Creative Planning International.

Their services vary by client profile and jurisdiction. Some focus on internationally mobile investors, while others provide cross-border planning for clients with specific citizenship or residency requirements.

Expats may consider these providers when their finances extend beyond Singapore, particularly if they need portable investments, multi-currency options or long-term wealth planning across countries.

These firms are included to broaden the comparison and are not ranked against one another.

Adam Fayed

Adam Fayed is an international wealth management provider serving expatriates and internationally mobile investors, with a remote model designed for clients across multiple countries.

Rather than operating through a conventional bank-led structure, the firm provides international brokerage and advisory services through regulated advisers, licensed partners and global investment platforms.

Access depends on factors such as residency, investor eligibility and the solutions available in each jurisdiction.

For Singapore-based expats, Adam Fayed offers access to global investments, multi-currency planning, retirement planning and international financial planning.

Hybrid Solutions option also combines self-directed investing with adviser support, giving clients greater control over investment decisions.

For expats who expect to relocate, the broader international model may appeal to those seeking portable investments and an ongoing advisory relationship, subject to eligibility in their next country of residence.

• Model: International wealth management
• Key services: Investment management, international financial planning, retirement and pension planning
• Key strength: Expat-focused, remote wealth management designed around cross-border clients
• Main consideration: Client eligibility and available investment structures can vary by country of residence
• Minimum/fees: Standalone portfolio review and structuring advice generally start at US$1,500. Hybrid Solutions starts at US$50,000, with combined platform and adviser fees of 1.3%–1.9% annually. Other investment-related costs typically range from 0.5%–2.5% annually, depending on the arrangement.
  

HSBC Global Wealth Management

HSBC provides international wealth management for clients whose financial affairs span Singapore and other countries, combining investment services with its global banking network.

• Model: Global bank wealth management
• Key services: Investment management, wealth planning, international banking and retirement and legacy planning
• Key strength: Cross-border connectivity through HSBC's international network
• Main consideration: Services and eligibility vary by HSBC market and client segment
• Minimum/fees: HSBC Premier international support from S$200,000 in qualifying deposits, investments or insurance; other wealth services have different requirements

UBS Wealth Management

UBS Wealth Management provides global wealth management and private banking services to high-net-worth clients, including through its Singapore operation.

Its global network can also support clients whose assets, family interests or future residence span multiple jurisdictions.

• Model: Global wealth management and private banking
• Key services: Investment management, wealth planning, lending and estate planning
• Key strength: Global network and access to international wealth management services
• Main consideration: Primarily geared toward high-net-worth clients, with eligibility and services varying by market
• Minimum/fees: US$2 million in investable assets; fees vary by service and portfolio

Singapore-based vs global wealth advisors for expats

Singapore-based advisors generally focus on local regulation, Singapore banking and domestic financial planning, while global advisors typically specialize in international investments, multi-currency wealth and cross-border planning.

For expats with most of their assets and financial commitments in Singapore, a local advisor can provide access to Singapore-specific services and institutions.

Global advisors may be more relevant when investments, pensions, tax obligations or future residence span multiple jurisdictions.

Key differences at a glance:

The key consideration is whether the advisor's services, investment structures and regulatory arrangements fit the geographic scope of the client's finances.

Are Singapore wealth advisors regulated by MAS?

Yes, Singapore wealth advisors providing regulated financial advisory services fall under the MAS regulatory framework, although their status varies by business activity and structure.

The MAS Financial Institutions Directory currently lists 71 Licensed Financial Advisers and 575 Exempt Financial Advisers under the Financial Advisory sector.

A single institution can hold multiple licenses, so these figures do not represent the number of unique firms.

How do you know as an expat in Singapore if a financial advisor is any good?

As an expat in Singapore, assess a financial advisor by how well its regulatory status, investment services, costs and cross-border capabilities match your financial situation.

Key questions include:

• Expat experience: Does the advisor regularly work with foreign residents in Singapore?
• International investments: Can it advise on assets, pensions and investments held outside Singapore?
• Portability: Can the relationship and investment arrangements continue if you move to another country?
• Geographic coverage: Which countries can the firm legally serve?
• Compensation: Is the advisor paid through fees, commissions, product charges or a combination?
• Total costs: What are the advisory, management, platform and underlying investment fees?
• Asset custody: Which institution holds your investments?
• Planning scope: Does the service include retirement, tax or estate planning, or is it limited to investment management?

MAS status is an important starting point, but suitability also depends on whether the advisor can address the international aspects of your finances.

What are red flags when choosing an advisor in Singapore?

Advisor red flags in Singapore,  include unclear regulatory status, opaque costs, unsuitable investment products and limited understanding of cross-border financial arrangements.

Expats should investigate an advisor more closely when:

• The firm's MAS status or regulatory entity cannot be verified.
• The individual adviser cannot provide a representative number, where applicable.
• Fees, commissions and underlying product costs are not clearly disclosed.
• The advisor cannot clearly identify the legal entity providing the service.
• The investment strategy does not account for assets, pensions or financial obligations outside Singapore.
• The advisor makes specific return promises without clearly explaining the associated risks.
• The custody arrangements for client assets are unclear.
• The advisor cannot explain what happens to the portfolio if the client moves out of Singapore.
• Cross-border tax or estate considerations are relevant but are not addressed appropriately.
• The proposed investments are more complex than necessary for the client's objectives.

Conclusion

For an expat, the cost of a wealth management decision is not limited to the advisory fee.

A structure that creates unnecessary product costs, tax complications or restrictions when circumstances change can be far more expensive over time.

This is why the headline minimum or advertised fee should be considered alongside the advisor's investment structure, compensation model, scope of advice, and transparency.

For Singapore expats, that clarity can be particularly valuable when financial decisions involve more than one jurisdiction.

The strongest arrangement is ultimately one where the costs, responsibilities and practical limitations are understood before significant assets are committed.

FAQs

What net worth is considered wealthy in Singapore?

S$350,000 to US$5 million is the range used by major Singapore wealth providers for affluent and private banking services.

There is no single legal threshold for being considered wealthy in Singapore.

Which country is best for wealth management?

Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, Hong Kong and the UAE are among the established wealth management jurisdictions.

The appropriate jurisdiction is based on factors such as residence, citizenship, tax residence, asset location, currency, pensions and estate planning needs, as well as whether the advisor can support cross-border arrangements.

What is a comfortable retirement income in Singapore?

A comfortable retirement income in Singapore can range from tens of thousands of Singapore dollars per year, based on housing, healthcare, insurance, travel, family support and lifestyle costs.

For expats, the calculation should also account for pension income, investment returns, inflation, currency exposure and whether retirement will take place in Singapore or another country.

Is there a difference between financial advisor and wealth management?

Yes. Financial advising may focus on specific areas such as investments, insurance or retirement planning, while wealth management generally combines investment management with broader financial planning and, for HNW clients, services such as estat and succession planning.

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