India’s wealth boom sparks M&A frenzy as banks chase affluent clients

Core Insights - India's wealth management industry is experiencing significant growth due to an underserved market, with an estimated $1.1 trillion held by top households, of which only $0.7 trillion is managed by registered wealth managers, leaving a $0.4 trillion gap in demand [1][4] - The demand for wealth management services is primarily driven by the increasing number of high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with a notable rise in millionaire households, which have nearly doubled from 458,000 in 2021 to 871,700 in 2025 [11][12] Industry Overview - The wealth management sector is characterized by a limited number of service providers, with specialized wealth managers only meeting 11% of the demands from the top 1% of households [2][3] - The imbalance in service provision has attracted global banks and asset managers to enter the Indian market, seeking to capture affluent clients [3][4] Market Dynamics - The velocity of capital formation in India is outpacing the ability of institutions to develop advisory capabilities, prompting foreign investments and domestic banks to enhance their specialized services [4][5] - The serviceable wealth in India is projected to triple from $3 trillion in FY25 to $9 trillion by FY35, indicating a growing opportunity for wealth management firms [4] Competitive Landscape - Several international and domestic banks are actively pursuing growth in the wealth management sector, with firms like Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Emirates NBD Bank exploring options to establish subsidiaries or acquire existing platforms [5][6] - Recent investments and acquisitions, such as State Street Corp.'s investment in Groww and Mizuho Financial Group's acquisition of KKR's stake in Avendus Capital, highlight the trend of firms seeking shortcuts to scale [7][8] Trends and Projections - The number of high-net-worth individuals in India has surged, driving demand for sophisticated wealth management services, with four Indian cities ranking among the top 10 globally for ultra-high-net-worth individuals [9][10] - The wealth management sector is witnessing a significant increase in deal activity, with a 46% year-on-year jump in deal volume in the first half of 2025, marking the most active period in over a decade [13][14] - The trend of consolidation in the industry is expected to continue through 2026, driven by competition for wealth management scale and the integration of public and private market products [16]