As the GCC private wealth market continues to grow, almost doubling in size since 2010, understanding the underlying sub-segments is becoming increasingly pertinent. Private bankers can make significant gains by identifying one or more of these sub-segments, tailoring meaningful value propositions for them, and strengthening the relevant capabilities to serve them.

When we released our first report on the state of private banking in the Gulf Cooperation Council1 in 2010, the industry had recently emerged from one of the most difficult periods in modern financial history. A global crisis of asset-price declines and the near, or actual, collapse of well-known international wealth management firms had altered the competitive field and the behavior of wealthy clients.
Despite those challenges, we anticipated that the region’s already quick recovery — especially compared to some Western markets — would make the GCC an attractive market for local and global private bankers.

Five years on, that conclusion has been vindicated. Indeed, the GCC wealth market has grown even faster than anticipated. Although challenges — including increased competition, pressure on profit margins, and intensifying regulatory and compliance requirements — remain for private bankers entering or looking to expand in this market, the opportunities are robust and enticing. From 2010 to 2014, liquid wealth in the region grew at an average of 17.5 percent per annum, doubling from US$1.1 trillion to $2.2 trillion. That is partly owing to the global rebound in equities and partly thanks to GCC specific drivers, particularly the impact of high oil prices during that period, as well as increasing government spending on megaprojects, infrastructure, further economic diversification, and job creation.

Going forward, there are significant opportunities in the rapidly expanding affluent segment for private bankers that develop the right capabilities — such as more digitized offerings and open product platforms. This segment has been growing faster than the high-networth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) segments, with a compound annual growth rate of 21 percent. The number of its households has increased by 50 percent, outpacing other wealth segments. There is another, more subtle, opportunity. The GCC wealth market contains more sub-segments than is always obvious. By identifying one or more of these sub-segments, tailoring meaningful value propositions for them, and putting the proper capabilities in place to serve them, private bankers can make significant gains in the GCC.

Download the report below (PDF 28 pages in english)

Chaque jour (5j/7) lisez gratuitement :

Le quotidien Finyear :
- Finyear Quotidien

La newsletter quotidienne :
- Finyear Newsletter
Recevez chaque matin par mail la newsletter Finyear, une sélection quotidienne des meilleures infos et expertises de la finance d’entreprise et de la finance d'affaires.

Chaque mois lisez gratuitement :

Le magazine digital :
- Finyear Magazine

Les 6 lettres digitales :
- Le Directeur Financier
- Le Trésorier
- Le Credit Manager
- Le Capital Investisseur
- GRC Manager
- Le Contrôleur de Gestion (PROJET 2014)

Un seul formulaire d'abonnement pour recevoir un avis de publication pour une ou plusieurs lettres