We were delighted to host our 5th annual event in Manila for the Wealth Management Community, where more than 200 CEOs, COOs, and other senior practitioners attended – from a mix of local and international Private Banks, Retail Banks, Insurance Companies, Independent Firms & Family Offices, Asset Management Companies, and IFAs.
Thanks to our sponsors: Henley & Partners, Infosys Finacle, Bordier & Cie, Casamont Cyprus, EbixCash Financial Technology (Formerly Miles Software), GAM, Leonteq Securities, RGN, Sun Life Financial, ERI Banking Software, J. Rotbart & Co., Bunker Gold & Silver, FNZ, Hawksford, IMTF, MSCI, Orbium and Swissquote
Below for your interest and reference are links to various content we captured from the day. Please click on the orange headlines – and do send any comments or feedback to [email protected].
Content Highlights
Video Highlights
Video Highlights Summary PDF
Exclusive Insights
Testimonials
I Love Wealth Management
Photos
Event summary
Panel discussions
Presentations & Workshops
Videos
Post event Supplement
Post-event Report
You might also like to view the full Post-Event Report – which is a consolidated summary, including photos of speakers & delegates, the attendee profiles & some delegate feedback, polling results, and more.
Event Summary
Wealth Management Expands Rapidly as The Onshore Markets Evolves Apace
Hubbis is delighted to have hosted our 5th annual event in the Philippines for the private wealth management community.
Video Highlights
At the Forum we interviewed leading industry experts.
Full Video Highlights
Video Highlights Summary PDF
I Love Wealth Management
Testimonials
Maria Paz A. Garcia, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Risk Management & Compliance, BPI Asset Management & Trust
Michael Gerard D. Enriquez, Chief Investment Officer, Sun Life Financial
Michael Ferrer, Managing Director, ATR Asset Management
Albert S. Yeo, President, BDO Private Bank
Dr. Robert B. Ramos CFA, CAIA, CIPM, Senior Vice President, Trust Officer and Chief Investment Officer, EastWest Bank
Karen Liza M. Roa, President, First Metro Asset Management
Stella Cabalatungan, Executive Vice President, Head of Private Bank – Relationship Management, BDO Private Bank
Angel Marie L. Pacis, Founder and President, KnowledgeLinks Wealth Solutions
Robin Heng, Global Market Head – Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Thailand, Bank of Singapore
Evrard Bordier, CEO and Managing Partner, Bordier & Cie
Abhra Roy, Head, Finacle Wealth Management Solution, Infosys Finacle
Edison Tsai, Partner & Executive Director, SeedIn Technology
Damian Hitchen, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East & Asia, Swissquote
Mark Buesser, Chief Executive Officer, IMTF
Simon Wong, Sales Head, GCR, ERI Banking Software
Sachin Gawade, Director Sales, Asia Pacific, EbixCash Financial Technology (Formerly Miles Software)
Scott Moore, IMCM, Country Head Philippines, Henley & Partners
Rob Mumford, Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Equities, GAM
Joshua Rotbart, Managing Partner, J. Rotbart & Co.
Exclusive Insights
We asked leading industry experts for their exclusive and incisive insights. Click on the links to view the individual videos:
Exclusive Insights PDF
Michael Ferrer, Managing Director, ATR Asset Management
Is the role of digital growing in importance within wealth and asset management in the Philippines?
Maria Paz A. Garcia, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Risk Management & Compliance, BPI Asset Management & Trust
How has AML changed the Onboarding Process in the Philippines?
Robin Heng, Global Market Head – Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Thailand, Bank of Singapore
Where will the continued growth come from in the Philippines and what are your priorities?
Albert S. Yeo, President, BDO Private Bank
What can we do to improve the value proposition in wealth management in the Phillipines?
What are you developing at BDO Private Bank to further enhance your offering to clients?
Scott Moore, IMCM, Country Head Philippines, Henley & Partners
Why is the Investment Migration industry booming in the Philippines?
How do you work with intermediaries in the Philippines?
Abhra Roy, Head, Finacle Wealth Management Solution, Infosys Finacle
What does Infosys Finacle do and how do you help wealth management firms in Asia?
The rise of Wealth tech in Asia – whats working and not working?
What digital expectations do clients have today?
What’s the role of technology and AI for wealth management firms today?
Edison Tsai, Partner & Executive Director, SeedIn Technology
Who is SeedIn Technology?
Damian Hitchen, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East & Asia, Swissquote
Has the investment in ‘digital’ justified the cost? What has worked elsewhere?
Transparency, Margins, Costs and Fees – what’s changing?
Stella Cabalatungan, Executive Vice President, Head of Private Bank – Relationship Management, BDO Private Bank
What challenges do wealthy families have in the Philippines and how is that changing?
In the Philippines – are we ready for the intergenerational wealth transfer?
Angel Marie L. Pacis, Founder and President, KnowledgeLinks Wealth Solutions
In the Philippines – how can we make the most of the opportunity that Wealth Planning and Structuring represents to us?
In the Philippines – what are the effects of transparency on the conversation with clients?
Michael Gerard D. Enriquez, Chief Investment Officer, Sun Life Financial
What are the Challenges and Opportunities for Variable Unit linked (VUL) insurance in the Philippines?
In the Philippines – how are you thinking about fund selection and portfolio construction?
Joshua Rotbart, Managing Partner, J. Rotbart & Co.
Why should Filipino HNW and UHNW clients buy gold today?
Mark Buesser, Chief Executive Officer, IMTF
What’s the role of Data and AI for wealth management firms today?
Simon Wong, Sales Head, GCR, ERI Banking Software
Are banks going in the right direction in their digital journey?
Sachin Gawade, Director Sales, Asia Pacific, EbixCash Financial Technology (Formerly Miles Software)
What’s the willingness of banks in the Philippines to move away from their legacy technology platform and upgrade to a new option?
Evrard Bordier, CEO and Managing Partner, Bordier & Cie
What changes are we seeing in client expectations and behaviour?
What are the opportunities to collaborate and partner with international firms?
Dr. Robert B. Ramos CFA, CAIA, CIPM, Senior Vice President, Trust Officer and Chief Investment Officer, EastWest Bank
In the Philippines – how are you thinking about fund selection and portfolio construction?
Rob Mumford, Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Equities, GAM
How do you think Asian equity market performance will be in 2H 2019?
Karen Liza M. Roa, President / Director, First Metro Asset Management
In the Philippines – what are the main investment themes and the products that resonate with clients today?
Panel Discussions
We held 4 interactive panel discussions throughout the day – which involved senior industry practitioners who we invited to participate and share their thoughts. We have also incorporated into the summaries below the briefing notes which speakers sent to us in advance of the event. Plus, we have included the results of audience polling as well as questions we received from delegates. Click on each headline to view the PDFs.
Private Wealth Management in the Philippines: Adapting at a Time of Great Change
A group of local and international experts at the first of our four panel discussions of the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum considered some of the critical changes taking place in the global and regional Asian wealth management industry, discussed how the Philippines’ competitive landscape is changing, and how local firms can adapt to secure their future success.
Panel Members
Maria Paz A. Garcia Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Risk Management & Compliance, BPI Asset Management & Trust
Albert S. Yeo President, BDO Private Bank
Robin Heng Global Market Head Philippines, Australia, Indonesia and Thailand, Bank of Singapore
Valerie Pama President, Sun Life Asset Management
Philipp Piaz Partner, Finaport
Christian Senn Managing Director, Market Group Philippines Market, Credit Suisse Private Banking
Malik S. Sarwar CEO, K2 Leaders
Platforms and Technology: Into the Digital Future of Wealth Management in Asia
Panellists at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum explained how the industry must embrace the emerging digitalisation trends in wealth management. In the Philippines, it appears the most potential is in retail solutions, such as payments and app-driven facilitation of customer consumer activities. There are many basic areas to improve in the country, opening the door to some of these retail-driven fintechs. In the mainstream wealth management space, there seems to be modest progress only so far in client-facing digitalisation.
Panel Members
Anthony Thomas Chief Executive Officer, Mynt
Edison Tsai Partner & Executive Director, SeedIn Technology
Damian Hitchen Chief Executive Officer, Middle East & Asia, Swissquote
Michael Ferrer Managing Director, ATR Asset Management
Simon Wong Sales Head, Greater China Region, ERI Banking Software
The Rising Prominence of Wealth Solutions and Planning for Asia’s HNWIs
A panel of experts gave their insights to the increasingly important subject of encouraging Asia’s HNWIs and their families to organise robust, compliant wealth and legacy planning. The delegates at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum learned much from the experts on planning far ahead but building flexible structures that recognise regulations can change, and that the needs and expectations of the younger generations will evolve. They also learned of the crucial importance of trust, professionalism, and empathy in building out the wealth planning conversations and constructing viable and compliant succession planning.
Panel Members
Stella Cabalatungan Executive Vice President, Head of Private Bank – Relationship Management, BDO Private Bank
Angel L. Pacis Founder, President, KnowledgeLinks Wealth Solutions
Irene Lee Business Development Director, Intermediary and Partnership, Hawksford
Ivan Pelle Executive Director – International Taxation, RGN
Sebastien Hayoz Managing Director, Asiaciti Trust
Wealth Management Investing in More Uncertain and Challenging Markets
The range of investment opportunities at home is growing, although the pace of liberalisation could better emulate some of the ASEAN neighbours such as Thailand or Malaysia. The domestic economy is so compelling – remarkable demographics, high GDP and corporate profits growth, and fast-rising domestic demand – that the valuation gap between a country such as the Philippines compared to developed markets is too wide for value-investors to believe sustainable. Will the gap close? Asian investors believe so, as most appear happy to invest mostly in their region. And more foreign investors believe so, judging by inflows thus far in 2019.
Panel Members
Dr. Robert Ramos Senior Vice President, Trust Officer and Chief Investment Officer, EastWest Bank
Roberto Vergara First Vice President & Head of Trust, Philippine Veterans Bank
Michael Gerard D. Enriquez Chief Investments Officer, Sun Life Financial
Rob Mumford Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Equities, GAM
Adeline Tan Head of Investment Advisory, Mercer
Presentations
Below are summaries of the Presentations and Wealth TALKS delivered at the event. These were 10-minute slots hosted either by senior industry practitioners who we invited to speak (Wealth TALKS), or by some of our event partners (Presentations). Also listed with each summary are links to the presentation slides (where these are made available by speakers). Click on each headline to view the web versions of these – from which you can also access the 1-page PDFs.
Infosys: Into the Future – Transforming Wealth Management for the Digital Age
The wealth management industry is evolving fast, faster indeed than ever before. Ubiquitous digitisation, growing customer expectations, regulatory proliferation, and new competition from fintechs and others are driving this revolution. Abhra Roy, Head of Finacle Wealth Management Solution for Infosys Finacle, offered attendees some fascinating insights and proffered some far-sighted solutions.
View Slides
Bordier & Cie: Championing Private Banking in Asia and the Partnership Model
Evrard Bordier, Singapore CEO and Managing Partner of Swiss private bank Bordier & Cie, knows that as a boutique firm working within a landscape of dramatic change for private banking, the bank must position itself smartly and strategically to achieve its expansion goals in APAC. He told delegates at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum that onshore wealth management presents huge opportunities on Asia, that any leading financial institutions should consider it, or expand what they have already, and that Bordier & Cie is open to new partnerships around the region to help them do exactly that.
View Slides
Cyprus: The Island of Investment, Citizenship and Residence Opportunity
Ioannis Ioannikiou, Legal Adviser for Casamont Cyprus, was in Manila to give a presentation at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum to highlights the attractions of the Cyprus Investment Programme for Asia’s HNWIs. He focused on the benefits of citizenship and tax residence in Cyprus, which is part of the European Union, and the consequent advantages for structuring wealth. He also highlighted a win-win for the HNWIs, as there are some compelling investment and real estate opportunities in Cyprus today.
View Slides
RGN: Asian Countries Falling in Line with Global CRS and AEOI Rollout
Ivan Pelle, Executive Director, International Taxation at Swiss investment management solutions firm Recontam Global Network (RGN) knows the individual clients and partners will be directly affected by the rollout of CRS and AEOI across the globe, as it will directly affect tax planning and investment strategies. He addressed the audience to update them on the timetable for countries to participate and comply fully with the new CRS and AEOI conventions, how these affect tax planning and highlighted some alternative citizenship or residency programmes.
View Slides
IMTF’s Modular RegTech Platform – Building Blocks to Achieve Regulatory Compliance
Andreas Wenger, General Manager for Asia Pacific at RegTech IMTF, lives and breathes technology for solving regulatory and compliance conundrums. He is delivering IMTF’s solutions across Asia in the form of forward-looking technologies to tackle key wealth management business challenges, including client onboarding, name screening, and AML/Fraud. At the same time, he knows his clients need to achieve cohesive business operational benefits as well as ensuring best-in-class, end-to-end client and user experience. He told delegates at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum exactly why he believes this is all so vital, and why IMTF offers the optimal solutions.
View Slides
EbixCash: Onboarding and E-KYC Solutions for Wealth Management in the Digital Age
The former Miles Software, which was recently acquired by US company Ebix and is now known as EbixCash, told delegates that its commitment to the Philippines, where it has been expanding its client base in the past five years, remains as firm as ever. Sachin Gawade, Director of Sales, Asia Pacific, explained all about the firm’s hassle-free onboarding solutions, and how they will dramatically improve the customer experience and the efficiencies for the wealth management firms. He explained how the firm is shifting focus to digital wealth management, and rolling out new products and modules, including robo-advisory.
View Slides
Robtart & Co: The Compelling Case for Gold as a Core Holding in HNW Portfolios
Joshua Rotbart, Managing Director of precious metals firm J. Rotbart & Co, is a passionate promoter of physical gold as a core holding in any serious high-net-worth investor’s portfolio. He addressed delegates at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum with both an engaging introductory talk and a detailed Workshop, to convey his unequivocal belief in physical gold. He explained that it is non-correlated to mainstream financial assets, it is a US dollar and inflation hedge, it can easily be bought stored and insured outside the global financial system, it is highly liquid and, above all else, it has stood the test of the past several millennia as both a store and an enhancer of value.
View Slides
GAM’s Rob Mumford on the Compelling Outlook for Emerging Market Equities
Rob Mumford, Portfolio Manager, Emerging Markets Equities at Zurich-headquartered, global asset management firm GAM Investments is a keen watcher of the Asian emerging markets, including the pivotal role now occupied by China in the regional, as well as the global growth story. He presented to delegates at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum, telling them why, at least for now, Asia’s EM story remains intact.
Future-Proofing the Wealth Manager in the New Age of Digital and AI
David MacDonald, Head of Learning Solutions at Hubbis gave a talk at the Philippines Wealth Management Forum to highlight to delegates how they can future-proof their roles and their careers in wealth management by emphasising their uniquely human skills and leveraging technologies to enhance their individual capabilities and proposition. He told the audience that they must strategize and follow a well-formulated plan.
View Slides
K2 Leaders: Malik Sarwar’s Five Pointers for Winning and Retaining the Primary Adviser Role
Malik Sarwar, CEO of wealth management firm K2 Leaders, presented an engaging, interactive Workshop at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum to explain how wealth management advisers and their firms can secure the vital role as primary advisers to their clients and thereby win at least 50% of their business. He outlined his five levers for growth. And he elucidated what he sees as the essential habits of effective advisers, telling the audience how they can differentiate themselves via continuous self-enhancement, how they can engage clients in challenging markets and offer smart, yet simple solutions for the client needs that they learn to understand and fulfil.
Henley & Partners: The Philippines – A Major Market in Asia for Global Residence and Citizenship Alternatives
Investor migration consultancy Henley & Partners is involved in a rarefied world in which HNWIs and the ultra-wealthy can, through investment, purchase residence or, even better, citizenship in countries beyond their home borders. Scott Moore, Senior Manager and Country Head for the Philippines, along with Oudine Santos, Senior Manager, presented both a talk and a Workshop to the assembled delegates at the Hubbis Philippines Wealth Management Forum. They explained why more of Asia’s HNWIs are taking this route, why Henley is the go-to firm for selecting and expediting such programmes, and why so many wealth management firms now work closely with Henley. They also reported that the Philippines is one of Asia’s most active markets.
View Slides
Testimonials
“Hubbis events like the 2019 Philippine Wealth Management Forum continues to provide excellent insights to various relevant topics. They are very experienced in finding subject matter experts that share not only local, regional but also global trends. The collective tracks are carefully chosen to address timely issues that provides practical awareness for wealth management practitioners.”
Joel M. Escala, First Vice President, Business Information & Performance Analytics – Trust & Investment Group, BDO Unibank
“I’ve been a consistent delegate for the past 5 years of Hubbies. Wealth Management Forum gives me a broader and deeper understanding of trends that sets future directions in the financial ecosystem. It helps me be more effective in my profession.”
Anonymous feedback from event attendee
