Reflections from the 2025 FT Banking Summit Asia

Always opportunity in uncertainty

The banking environment is now shaped by heightened volatility, complex regulatory divergence and accelerating technological change. The interplay of geopolitics, global economic shifts and sector-specific pressures is creating a climate where adaptability is essential.

Rachel Huf, Hong Kong CEO and General Counsel for Asia, Barclays, remarked during a panel that we are in a new multipolar world, where friction in the system—from rates to supply chains—means the strategies of 15 years ago no longer fit. She sees real opportunity in helping clients adapt and seize new possibilities across shifting global borders.

Banks operating across borders are leveraging their experience to help clients manage risks and seize opportunities, from supply chain diversification to FX and investment in emerging markets. This regional expertise is increasingly valued by global corporates seeking partners who can navigate Asia’s fast-evolving dynamics.

Hong Kong’s IPO prowess

This year, Hong Kong has emerged as the world’s top financial centre for IPOs, setting new records for listings and funds raised. This surge reflects not only liquidity seeking new homes amid global rate differentials but also the city’s status as a gateway for both Chinese and Southeast Asian companies.

The diversity of deals, spanning digital transformation, green energy and more, also highlights Hong Kong’s unique role as a hub for innovation and green finance, with taxonomies aligned to both Chinese and European standards. The rising demand for ESG products is being driven by both institutional and retail investors, especially among younger demographics.

Being redefined by AI

The use of AI for customer sentiment analysis is already driving measurable improvements in service and engagement—an approach that is quickly capturing the attention of both incumbents and new entrants. This digitisation trend is forecast to continue, with Asia’s digital banking sector projected for rapid growth in customers and overall value.

Digitalisation is also fundamentally redefining what banking means in Asia—digital banks are delivering low-cost, real-time services and democratising investment, bringing wealth management and advisory to broader customer segments through automation and technology. They have seen significant growth, with a 25% increase in customers forecast over the next decade and a combined global valuation of USD 3 trillion.

The perpetual flow of wealth

With ongoing shifts in both China’s domestic economy and global capital flows, there is a structural movement of wealth offshore. This is strengthening Hong Kong and Singapore’s position as global leaders in wealth management—not just in private banking, but across mass and emerging affluent segments. The continued democratisation of investment, with features such as fractional shares and low entry thresholds, is making sophisticated products accessible to a wider population.

On a later panel, Miranda Zhao, Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, Asia Pacific, Natixis CIB, emphasised that despite China’s real estate challenges and geopolitics, Hong Kong’s unique position as a bridge for international capital into China is more vital than ever, fuelling a robust recovery in investor confidence and driving valuation rebounds across the region. As deal-making accelerates and IPO activity surges, she sees renewed optimism and strategic opportunities for growth—proving that both Hong Kong and Mainland China remain too significant to overlook in any global investment strategy.

Our changing landscape

The Asian banking sector is more interconnected with the rest of the world than ever before. The region’s resilience, adaptability and appetite for innovation are driving the global agenda in areas from capital markets to digital banking and sustainable finance. At CDR, our 30-year commitment to Asia has given us the perspective and resources to help clients succeed, no matter how quickly the landscape changes.