The wealth management industry is at a turning point, where traditional paradigms are being dismantled by technology, shifting client expectations, and rapidly changing market dynamics. From generative AI transforming the role of relationship managers to private markets gaining liquidity, 2025 is poised to be a defining year.
According to Shilpi Chowdhary, Group CEO of Lighthouse Canton, ”The changes may be subtle, but they’re already taking shape. From digitisation to the evolving ways clients consume content, we’re in the early stages—but the pace of change is expected to accelerate swiftly.”
Chowdhary’s observations resonate with a broader trend highlighted in a recent McKinsey report, which predicts that digital platforms and automation will redefine client servicing by improving efficiency while reducing costs.
The Asia–Pacific WealthTech industry—with AuM of $600 billion to $700 billion—is on the brink of substantial expansion, according to McKinsey. Anticipated to increase by approximately 25 to 30% per year, the consulting expects the market could triple or even quadruple its present AUM by 2027.
Source: McKinsey Research
Trend #1: THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IMPERATIVE
In wealth management, technology is no longer optional—it’s foundational.
Generative AI is paving the way for new client experiences, from conversational portfolio tools to personalised digital interactions.
As Chowdhary explained, “One of the things we built is something called the conversational portfolio tool - a very good use case for relationship managers. It looks very unprofessional if RMs are not aware of what’s happening, and this tool equips them to answer all client queries.”
The tool represents just the tip of the iceberg.
Yet, adoption remains slow. “Organisations do not know how to use artificial intelligence fully yet,” Chowdhary remarked. “There’s skepticism, but those who figure it out will have a massive advantage.”
The broader challenge lies in mindset shifts within organisations. While regulatory frameworks are no longer a significant barrier, many firms cling to traditional servicing models. “People still think that wealth management is best served by people,” Chowdhary noted, “but how they are served is what needs to change.”
Firms investing in automation, like Vanguard did with passive asset management, could see a similar disruption in wealth management.
Trend # 2: THE RISE OF PRIVATE MARKETS
The second trend Chowdhary identifies for wealth management in 2025 and beyond is the rise of private markets. Private markets are no longer the exclusive domain of institutional investors. Technology has democratised access, allowing more players to enter this once-opaque space.
Digital platforms and tools have simplified processes like deal discovery, due diligence, and investment tracking, making private markets more transparent and accessible to a wider range of investors.
Chowdhary pointed out, speaking to LC IDEAs : Views & Insights “Private markets are gaining dominance, whether it’s private equity, direct investments, or private credit. The liquidity in these markets has shot up, rivaling public markets.”
According to McKinsey’s Global Private Markets Review 2024, private markets’ AUM totalled US$13.1 trillion as of mid-2023, after growing at nearly 20% per annum since 2018. S&P Global projects that private markets will reach over $18 trillion by 2027. Unlike public markets, private markets offer flexibility in capital deployment without the pressures of quarterly earnings.
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“Asia is a great story in terms of growth but still needs more work in terms of liquidity,” Chowdhary observed. “Most exits are either roll-ups or acquisitions; IPOs remain challenging outside of India.”
This disparity in exit strategies has historically led to valuation discounts for Asian businesses compared to their U.S. counterparts.
But the tide is turning. Countries like India and Southeast Asia are positioning themselves as dynamic investment hubs. Market reforms, increasing investor sophistication, and growing economic integration in the region are laying the groundwork for more robust exit options and greater market liquidity.
“The growth is here,” Chowdhary asserted. “What’s needed next is the maturity of markets to capitalise on it fully, but we’re seeing signs that this will change significantly in the coming years.”
In 2025, Asia’s investment landscape is expected to evolve and mature further, overcoming some of these current challenges and unlocking its full potential.
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TREND # 3: THE HUMAN TECH BALANCE
Clients are evolving faster than the industry. Platforms once reserved for social engagement, like Instagram, are now sources of news and financial insights.
“Clients adapt very quickly,” Chowdhary said. “They want value—whether it’s control, safety, or a better user experience. And they want it delivered efficiently.”
Generative AI is central to meeting these expectations. Firms like Lighthouse Canton are exploring “persona” tools for relationship managers, enabling clients to interact with their RMs digitally, even when unavailable.
Chowdhary explained, “We’re creating agentic frameworks where clients can log in, talk to their RM’s persona, and get answers to most portfolio and FAQ-related queries.”
Yet, humanisation remains crucial.
Chowdhary highlighted the importance of leadership in navigating this shift: “First, talk openly about [AI]. Then democratise and socialise the idea of use cases. That’s how you bring everyone up to speed.”
The stakes are high. Firms that strike the right balance between human expertise and digital innovation will capture market share in a rapidly transforming industry.
“It’s about juxtaposing the traditional world with the digital,” Chowdhary concluded. “At some stage, the lines will blur, and those who capitalize will lead.”
This fast-paced evolution promises to redraw the wealth management map. With private markets on the rise, digital tools reshaping client engagement, and firms grappling with organisational inertia, the industry stands on the brink of unprecedented change. As 2025 unfolds, only those willing to disrupt and reinvent themselves will thrive in this brave new world.
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