Wealth management is undergoing one of the most significant structural shifts in over a decade. From policy reversals in New Zealand to regulatory changes in the US and market consolidation in the Gulf, new frameworks are redefining how institutions capture capital flows, connect across borders and scale advisory services.
According to GlobalData, this shift reflects a broader recalibration of the global wealth ecosystem, where migration incentives, technological integration and product democratisation are converging to reshape the client experience.

Cross-border flows

New Zealand’s partial reversal of its foreign buyer ban signals governments are once again competing for high-net-worth (HNW) capital through residency-linked property access. Beginning in late 2025, golden visa holders will be permitted to purchase or build one high-value home valued at NZ$5m ($2.9m), partially lifting the 2018 restrictions.

GlobalData notes that this targeted exemption is aimed at attracting wealthy migrants from China and the US, and will reinforce New Zealand’s appeal as both a lifestyle and investment destination. The move is expected to increase demand for cross-border planning as clients seek integrated immigration, property and tax advisory services.

A parallel trend is unfolding in the Gulf, where the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman have linked residency rights to property and investment thresholds. These golden visa programmes aim to attract affluent families and entrepreneurs.

In Oman, for instance, a 10-year residency is available for foreign investors with a reduced investment threshold of OMR2m ($5.2m) under the August 2025 golden residency update. Analysts note these programmes have made the Gulf a magnet for internationally mobile wealth, echoing the same investment-for-lifestyle trend seen in New Zealand.

Regional hubs

GCC financial wealth is forecast to grow at roughly 4.7% annually to reach $3.5tn by 2027, according to a Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, underscoring the region’s expanding influence in global wealth flows.

Dubai’s emergence as a global wealth centre illustrates how jurisdictions are moving beyond incentives to build comprehensive ecosystems. In September 2025, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) launched the DMCC Wealth Hub to support family offices, private capital and advisory firms establishing a presence in the city. The initiative offers governance and succession planning support, as well as investment and structuring guidance as part of Dubai’s broader strategy to become a global headquarters for family wealth.

According to GlobalData’s HNW Expats Analytics 2025, 6% of New Zealand’s HNW population are expatriates, compared with a global average of 3.1%. The data illustrates how mobility patterns increasingly shape advisory demand from property-linked migration to integrated cross-border wealth planning.

A similar trend is evident in the UAE, where an influx of international family offices has driven rapid growth in assets under management. Paris-based Rothschild & Co’s 2025 acquisition of Liechtensteinische Landesbank’s UAE client base, involving approximately CHF1bn ($1.25bn) in assets, exemplifies how established firms are consolidating to meet this demand.

Digital advisory

In mature markets, digital platforms are becoming a key differentiator in retaining both clients and independent financial advisers (IFAs). UK-based AJ Bell’s partnership with fellow UK firm Mabel Insights, introducing new adviser tools for portfolio comparison, cashflow modelling and risk profiling, illustrates how wealth firms are responding to growing competition for advisor loyalty.

GlobalData’s analysis emphasises the continued importance of the IFA channel in UK wealth distribution but also highlights the mounting pressure on firms to enhance efficiency and deliver modern, data-driven advisory experiences.

A similar digital evolution is underway in the Middle East. Insights from the WealthTHINK Middle East 2025 forum indicate that private banks and wealth managers are prioritising integrated reporting, AI-driven analytics and hyper-personalisation to build client trust. Executives noted that clients increasingly expect consolidated visibility across asset classes, underscoring the need for scalable technology that delivers without compromising compliance.

Global consolidation

RBC Wealth Management’s strategy highlights a broader global trend: combining acquisition-led growth with targeted partnerships. The Canadian bank’s focus on mature markets such as the UK and US, combined with strategic expansion in Asia, reflects its commitment to international wealth management.

According to GlobalData, RBC’s integration of HSBC Canada’s client base and its track record of cross-market acquisitions including Brewin Dolphin in the UK and City National Bank in the US, position the bank to leverage cross-border wealth flows, even amid global trade disruptions. As the wealth divisions become a stabilising force for large, diversified institutions, RBC’s approach illustrates a renewed focus on profitability through scale and geographic reach.

In the Gulf, similar consolidation continues as global and regional wealth managers compete to capture inflows. Rothschild & Co’s UAE expansion follows a series of such moves by European firms, while Dubai’s regulatory clarity and robust family-office ecosystem continue to draw global private banks seeking presence in the region.

Private-market access

In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission has removed long-standing restrictions that limited retail investors’ access to private funds. Previously, funds investing more than 15% in private assets were restricted to accredited investors. With this rule withdrawn, a wider pool of retail investors can now access private equity, credit and hedge-style strategies through regulated, semi-liquid fund structures. GlobalData’s 2025 Financial Services Consumer Survey shows 22.4% of US investors choose their investment provider primarily for access to a wide range of investment products, making it the top selection criterion. The regulatory shift therefore opens a larger addressable market for wealth managers offering diversified solutions.

However, GlobalData cautions that investor education will be critical. Providers must clearly communicate liquidity terms, fees and risks, particularly as less experienced investors gain access to previously restricted asset classes. The ability to deliver transparent, plain-language communication could determine how successfully firms capture and retain these new clients.

Wealth managers in the Middle East are closely monitoring these developments. With regional investors showing growing interest in private markets, especially through family offices and sharia-compliant structures, the democratisation trend could accelerate the growth of locally regulated alternative funds and feeder vehicles.

Next phase of growth

Wealth management in 2025 is increasingly defined by integration across markets, advisory models and asset classes. Governments are opening new pathways for investment migration, financial institutions are deepening cross-border partnerships, and regulators are redrawing boundaries between institutional and retail access.

As GlobalData concludes, firms that combine regulatory credibility, cross-market insight and technology-led delivery will be best positioned to convert these structural shifts into durable client relationships. The next wave of competition in wealth management will depend less on product variety and more on how seamlessly firms connect clients to opportunities across borders.