Among its findings, the survey reported that a large proportion of family members clashed over wealth, nearly half were considering relocating the family office, and a third were dissatisfied with next-gen involvement in succession planning.

As wealth management becomes more complex, almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of family office professionals say they find family members are at loggerheads over money, an international survey by Standard Chartered finds.

The UK-listed lender’s private banking arm has carried out a survey of more than 300 ultra-high net worth individuals and their advisors to find out how they cope with volatility, geopolitical uncertainties and family dynamics. The survey primarily covered families outside the US. The sample group comprised 70 family heads, 70 next-gen family members and 160 family professionals across mainland China, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, Dubai, India and Africa.

In other findings, more than half (54 per cent) of families surveyed are considering relocating their family office in 2025. Those considering a move indicated cybersecurity, geopolitical risk, and the search for specialist talent as their top short-term concerns.

A clear majority (84 per cent) of families agree that next-generation involvement is essential in succession planning, but one-third of them are dissatisfied with levels of involvement. 

“In an increasingly unpredictable world, the architecture of wealth management must evolve to build resilience, unlock opportunities, and protect legacies. Families must move beyond reactivity and plan for change, thereby embedding relevance and longevity for the generations to come,” Raymond Ang, global head of private bank and affluent clients and head of wealth and retail banking, Greater China and North Asia, said.

Tech comfort
Perhaps inevitably, AI makes an appearance in the report, which is entitled The Great Repositioning. Some 76 per cent of families say they are comfortable using artificial intelligence to support them in making investment decisions, provided human oversight remains.

Next-gen adults are making their views heard and leading the push to migrate and adopt technology in a more strategic manner in the families’ decision-making. Most (81 per cent) of the heads of families interviewed say that the younger generation’s perspectives are crucial. 

“Where a family office is located can offer strategic advantages because offices hold vast quantities of sensitive financial and personal data. Jurisdictions with strong regulatory safeguards, sufficient professional support network and advanced digital infrastructure not only offer greater protection but also attract the calibre of talent needed to secure and grow wealth in the long run,” Mike Tan, global head of wealth planning and family advisory, said.

Standard Chartered conducted the survey with the Financial Times Group between May and June this year.