UK Advisors predict Asian jurisdictions will dominate UHNW business interests, and that private investors’ primary focus is on securing their financial future rather than broader global issues

Vaduz and Zurich, 2 December 2011 − A recent poll of 60 leading specialist international advisors in the UK for UHNW clients indicated that the financial centres of the future will be led by Asian markets including Singapore and Hong Kong as well, further in the future, Shanghai. The insight was based on responses from professionals working in legal, accounting and tax advisory sectors. The survey was conducted by Scorpio Partnership for specialist private banking and trust company Kaiser Partner.

Notably, among the traditional jurisdictions including Switzerland and the Channel Islands, financial professionals also selected Liechtenstein as an up and coming centre which has been rebuilding its capacity to service UHNW clients (see Figure 1). Recent developments such as the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF) were referenced as innovative steps to support the changing dynamics of cross-border wealth management (see Editor’s notes).

Meanwhile with reference to the core areas of interest of UHNW investors when it comes to wealth management, the professional industry rated that the most effort and importance is attributed to securing the financial security of their family. This ranked significantly higher than broader factors such as utilising their wealth for environmental responsibility and charitable activities.
 
Fritz Kaiser, executive chairman of Kaiser Partner based in Vaduz, commented that the perception of the professionals was surprising: “This is a thought provoking response by the professionals. In our engagement with private client investors issues such as responsible investing and philanthropic uses for their personal fortunes are high up the agenda.” Kaiser stated that in 2012 the business would analyse these comments against direct research with the end investor. “If we can collectively learn more about the motives of the end investors directly, it will help us all shape our solutions better,” he added.
 


About Kaiser Partner

Kaiser Partner is a privately owned wealth management group. Its clients include wealthy private individuals around the world, as well as their families and advisors. The company's roots reach back to 1931 when Präsidial-Anstalt, which still belongs to the group, was founded. As a full service provider, Kaiser Partner offers wealth and asset management as well as Family Office services from a single source.

Its range of services also includes the establishment and management of trusts and foundations under Liechtenstein law.

At its head office in Vaduz (Liechtenstein) and its branch office in Zollikon (Switzerland), around 200 employees work together to look after Kaiser Partner's clients. Fritz Kaiser leads the Group as Executive Chairman of the holding company. The other Members of the Board of Directors are Peter Wagner (previously Chairman of the Vontobel Bank Group), Philip Marcovici (previously a partner at global law firm Baker & McKenzie) and Otmar Hasler (Prime Minister of the Principality of Liechtenstein, 2001 – 2009). Klaus Wellershoff (former chairman of the UBS Investment Committee) is the Chief Economic Advisor of Kaiser Partner.
 

About the LDF

The LDF agreement between the United Kingdom and the Principality of Liechtenstein has created a unique process for declaring as yet untaxed assets. As clients of a Liechtenstein financial institution, UK taxpayers can now use this process to regularize their tax affairs – often on advantageous terms. This solution has transformed the conduct of business for clients and companies using Liechtenstein solutions.