According to a Deutsche Bank poll conducted at the Emerging Markets Family Office Forum 2026 in Singapore, 37% of respondents identified rising interest rates and bond yields as the biggest risk to global economic growth. Inflation concerns followed as the second-largest threat at 23%, while artificial intelligence-related risks were cited by 17% of wealthy investors and family offices. The survey, conducted by Deutsche Bank Global Chief Investment Officer Christian Nolting, gathered around 200 family offices and wealthy individuals to assess global investment sentiment. As reported by Reuters, the poll was conducted during the forum held in Singapore on Wednesday.
Asia emerged as the clear favorite for geopolitical stability, with 73% of respondents expecting the region to remain the most stable over the next 12 months. The United States followed with 14%, while the UK and Europe were cited by 6% of respondents. Latin America and the Middle East accounted for 4% and 2% respectively. This preference for Asian stability contrasts with continued capital allocation preferences toward the United States, highlighting the complex investment strategies wealthy investors are pursuing. According to Marco Pagliara, head of Asia Pacific at Deutsche Bank's wealth business, global families are prioritizing stability and connectivity, helping Singapore stand out as a favored wealth hub. The bank's private bank had assets under management of 732 billion euros ($819.77 billion) as of June 30, providing context for the survey's findings.
Despite their preference for Asian geopolitical stability, wealthy investors continue to favor the United States for capital allocation. According to the survey findings, 54% of respondents said they planned to increase their investments in the U.S. over the next 12 months. Asia was the second-most preferred destination, with 30% planning to increase capital allocation to the region, while 11% expected to raise allocations to the UK and Europe. These allocation patterns reflect the balancing act investors face between stability and investment opportunities, as reported by Reuters. In private banking, clients don't just choose what to own; they also choose where to base their accounts, with the "booking center" decision determining which hub provides custody, credit lines, and day-to-day servicing.
As reported by Reuters, Deutsche Bank noted that international families and family offices are increasingly seeking stability, risk-management strategies and greater global connectivity. Singapore is strengthening its position as a major global wealth centre, with Deutsche Bank operating wealth-management businesses across 14 booking centres globally. The bank's private bank had assets under management of 732 billion euros ($819.77 billion) as of June 30, providing context for the survey's findings. Marco Pagliara emphasized that Singapore has emerged as one of the clear favourites as a global wealth centre in this changing world, with those preferences influencing where relationships, custody, and lending activity are anchored.
