L.E.K. Consulting estimates that close to US$1.3 trillion will pass between generations among Asia-Pacific billionaires by 2040, and argues that commercial banks are well placed to serve the business-owning founders behind that wealth.

TL;DR

  • L.E.K., citing the UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025, puts Asia-Pacific billionaire wealth transfer at close to US$1.3 trillion by 2040.
  • More than 3 in 5 Asian high net worth individuals are over 60 and up to 70% are business owners, and around 50% of founders cite structuring as a transfer challenge, per L.E.K. and the studies it cites.
  • L.E.K. says banks that act within 18 to 24 months will be best positioned. That is the consultancy's view, not a forecast of outcomes.

What did L.E.K. find about Asia's wealth transfer?

L.E.K. Consulting, a global strategy consultancy, published "How Asian Commercial Banks Can Capitalize on the Great Wealth Transfer" on 14 September 2026. It draws on the UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025 for the US$1.3 trillion figure, and on the Asia Generational Wealth Report 2025 from BCG, UOB and NUS Business School for founder survey data. L.E.K. says Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia account for more than 40% of the wealth to be inherited. It also says more than 3 in 5 Asian high net worth individuals are over 60 and up to 70% are business owners or entrepreneurs.

Why does structuring matter for business-owning families?

Around 50% of Asian founders cite structuring as a wealth transfer challenge, rising to around 60% for larger estates, according to the BCG, UOB and NUS study that L.E.K. cites. L.E.K. notes that business owners hold much of their net worth in one illiquid company, so standard investment-led wealth offerings only partly fit. It says banks should add succession architecture: family governance, trust and estate structuring, succession-linked insurance and pre-transfer holding company restructuring. It also reports that clients with meaningful lending or Lombard arrangements, meaning credit against securities, show markedly stronger retention.

Who is competing to serve these families?

L.E.K. argues commercial banks have an edge because of decades of working-capital and trade-finance relationships with business owners. WealthBriefingAsia reported on 19 October 2026 that the paper names DBS, OCBC and UOB among local banks that could benefit. It also cites relationship manager headcount growth from 2023 to 2025 of 13.8% at DBS Wealth Management, 12.1% at Bank of Singapore and 27.3% at Standard Chartered. L.E.K. partner Justin Tan told the publication that joint ventures between bank units are "a low-cost way to target opportunities." The paper sets out three models: wealth-unit-led, co-ownership, and corporate-embedded.

Why does it matter for Asian family offices?

Families preparing a transfer may see more bank proposals that bundle financing, investment and succession planning. The paper is written from the banks' side, so it reflects what banks could offer, not what families will choose. For related reading, see Asia Family Office Hub's coverage of Singapore's revised single family office rules at https://asiafamilyofficehub.com/singapores-revised-single-family-office-rules-what-changed-and-what-existing-sfos-must-do-by-june-2027/ , the UBS 2026 Family Office Report at https://asiafamilyofficehub.com/ubs-2026-family-office-report-apac-families-favour-north-america-but-plan-more-asia-exposure/ and the HSBC survey at https://asiafamilyofficehub.com/hsbc-survey-singapore-tops-entrepreneur-destinations-as-direct-private-investing-grows/ . This is not legal, tax or financial advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much wealth will transfer among Asia-Pacific billionaires by 2040?

Close to US$1.3 trillion, according to L.E.K., citing the UBS Billionaire Ambitions Report 2025.

Why do commercial banks think they can win this business?

L.E.K. says their long working-capital and trade-finance relationships with business owners give them an edge over many private banks.

What is not confirmed?

The L.E.K. paper gives no sample size or method for the BCG, UOB and NUS survey. Its 18 to 24 month window is an opinion, not a measured outcome.

Sources and Method

Primary source: L.E.K. Consulting, https://www.lek.com/insights/financial-services/how-asian-commercial-banks-can-capitalize-great-wealth-transfer , published 14 September 2026. Independent source: WealthBriefingAsia, 19 October 2026. Statistics are L.E.K.'s, citing UBS, BCG, UOB and NUS Business School, and Asian Private Banker. Photo: Orderinchaos, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.