Building on 50 years in S’pore: How this Canadian bank deepens its wealth management and capital markets capabilities in Asia

Marking 50 years in Singapore, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is ramping up its capabilities to meet the changing needs of clients while preparing for the next phase of its growth in the region.

This milestone comes at a time when rising market volatility and geopolitical uncertainty have led clients to place greater emphasis on counterparty strength and stability.

Mr Rod Ireland, head of Wealth Management Asia and Global Markets APAC at RBC, says: “In a period of heightened uncertainty, clients are being far more selective about who they trust. Our AA rating and global systemically important bank designation offer a level of reassurance that’s becoming increasingly important.”

For many families and entrepreneurs in Asia, managing wealth and capital across borders has become more complex than ever. From succession planning and asset protection to navigating currency risks and cross-border financing, they are facing a growing number of challenges.

In this environment, clients are looking for experienced advice and coordinated execution to meet their financial objectives.

“Whether we’re supporting clients through wealth management or capital markets, we focus on being a reliable long-term partner, offering sound guidance and delivering consistent results,” explains Mr Ireland.

Founded in 1864, RBC is Canada’s largest bank by both assets and market capitalisation, and ranks among the world’s top 15 banks. It serves over 19 million clients and is a market leader in capital markets and wealth management in North America.

Deepening capabilities in Asia

Asia has long been a strategic market for RBC. The bank’s Asia platform is focused on two core businesses – capital markets and wealth management – both of which have a significant presence in Singapore.

Singapore, along with Hong Kong, drives RBC’s regional wealth management business in markets such as Taiwan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines.

The city-state also functions as the bank’s main trading and distribution hub in Asia outside of Australia, offering regional clients a range of solutions across foreign exchange, fixed income, structured products and treasury services.

“Singapore is an integral part of RBC’s regional strategy and an important centre to support the continued growth momentum of the business,” says Mr Ireland.

To support its growing ambitions in the region, the bank is hiring more relationship managers and building teams across onboarding, investment advisory, credit, operations and wealth planning to better serve clients whose needs are becoming increasingly global.

This expansion reflects a broader push to deliver more integrated solutions for clients, blending traditional wealth management with the sophistication of capital-markets expertise.

By bringing together specialists from both its wealth management and capital markets divisions, RBC offers clients a seamless experience that meets their wealth and business needs under one roof.

For instance, an entrepreneur may engage the bank’s capital markets team for mergers and acquisitions advisory or structured finance solutions for his or her business, while relying on the wealth platform for legacy planning purposes.

Supporting generational wealth transfer

One area seeing growing demand is succession and legacy planning. Many Asian families are preparing to pass wealth on to the next generation, often across multiple jurisdictions.

To guide families through this transition, RBC’s wealth planners begin with in-depth conversations to clarify long-term goals, then draw on the firm’s wider network of specialists to craft tailored strategies.

In Singapore, clients can tap RBC’s locally licensed trust company, which plays a central role in executing cross-border legacy strategies. This on-the-ground expertise is reinforced by the bank’s broader international network, enabling families to structure, protect and manage wealth seamlessly across jurisdictions.

At the same time, RBC engages the next generation – typically the adult children of existing clients – helping them gain financial confidence and a deeper understanding of the responsibilities and tools needed to manage their family’s assets effectively.

A culture built on purpose

RBC’s ambitions in Asia are not limited to growing its business footprint. At the heart of its strategy is a culture focused on long-term relationships with clients, employees and the communities in which it operates.

This culture is reflected in the efforts of its more than 250 employees in Singapore, who actively engage with the local community. Many employees actively participate in volunteering and charitable giving programmes, reflecting the firm’s shared sense of purpose.

One notable initiative is the RBC Race for the Kids, a global charitable run that was introduced to Singapore in partnership with the Singapore Children’s Society. Since the partnership began in 2020, RBC has donated almost S$1 million to Singapore Children’s Society through the race, along with other initiatives.

Mr Kamran Azim, head of Private Banking, Singapore, at RBC, says: “At RBC, we believe how we do business is as important as what we do. Our success as a company is defined by the long-term well-being of the people we serve, the places in which we operate and the planet we will leave to future generations.”

As RBC looks ahead to its next chapter in Asia, it remains focused on building for the long term.

“As we celebrate 50 years in Asia, we’re not just looking back at what we’ve built – we’re looking ahead to the next chapter, helping our clients and communities thrive for generations to come,” says Mr Ireland.

Find out more about RBC.