余伟文：香港预计将在未来数年成为全球最大的财富管理中心

Core Insights - The Hong Kong asset and wealth management market has shown impressive performance over the past year, with total managed assets increasing by 13% year-on-year to HKD 35 trillion by the end of 2024 [1][2] - Private banking and wealth management services have particularly excelled, with a 15% year-on-year growth in managed assets and a net inflow of HKD 384 billion, indicating strong demand from high-net-worth investors [1][2] - The outlook for Hong Kong's asset and wealth management market is optimistic, driven by economic growth and wealth accumulation in mainland China, as well as enhanced connectivity arrangements [1][8] Market Performance - As of the end of 2024, the total value of managed assets in Hong Kong reached HKD 35 trillion, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year [2] - The private banking and wealth management sector saw a 15% increase in managed assets, with net inflows of HKD 384 billion [1][2] - The number of banks engaged in private banking or wealth management has risen to 46, with a nearly 12% increase in personnel over the past two years [2] Regional Wealth Growth - The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in private wealth, with the number of high-net-worth individuals in Asia increasing by 5% in 2024, surpassing 850,000 [3] - Mainland China's high-net-worth population has reached 470,000, accounting for 20% of the global total [3] Competitive Advantages - Hong Kong's mature financial market, stable banking system, and active capital market provide a robust platform for international capital [4] - The city ranked first globally in new stock fundraising, with over HKD 100 billion raised in the first half of 2025 [4] - The number of retail banking transactions surged from HKD 819 billion to HKD 1.774 trillion between 2022 and 2024 [4] Policy Initiatives - The Hong Kong government and regulatory bodies are actively implementing policies to enhance the city's unique advantages, including the "Capital Investor Entry Scheme" launched in 2024 [5][6] - A streamlined assessment and product disclosure process for high-end professional investors was introduced, with nearly 200 high-end clients completing transactions exceeding HKD 70 billion [6] Cross-Border Financial Initiatives - The "Cross-Border Wealth Management Connect 2.0" initiative has seen over 160,000 individual investors participating, marking a 120% increase compared to the previous version [7] - The initiative has also led to a significant increase in the variety of investment products chosen by investors [7] Future Outlook - The Hong Kong asset and wealth management market is expected to become the largest globally in the coming years, with continued collaboration among the government, industry, and international community to enhance competitiveness [9] - The growth of digital asset services is accelerating, with 22 banks authorized to sell digital asset-related products, and trading volumes reaching HKD 26.1 billion in the first half of 2025, a 233% increase year-on-year [8]