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Family Offices in Singapore
In recent years, Singapore has emerged as a premier global hub for family offices, attracting affluent individuals and families from across the globe. This growing appeal is driven by several key factors that position the city-state as an ideal destination for wealth management and asset preservation. Below are four compelling reasons why Singapore has become a magnet for family office setups.

  • Build Your Team
    A high-performing family office requires trusted professionals—investment managers, legal counsel, CFOs, and compliance officers. Hiring qualified local talent ensures alignment with Singapore’s legal and regulatory environment.
  • Implement the Right Tech
    Use technology to enhance investment tracking, compliance, data security, and administration. A solid tech stack supports operational efficiency and data-driven decisions.
  • Choose Your Legal Structure
    Decide between a Single-Family Office (SFO), which serves one family exclusively, or a Multi-Family Office (MFO), which manages assets for multiple families. Each has unique pros and cons depending on your priorities around privacy, cost, and control.
  • Secure Necessary Licences
    SFOs are typically exempt from licensing if they only manage a single family’s assets. MFOs, however, generally require a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence under MAS regulations. Early engagement with MAS is highly recommended
  • Engage Expert Advisors
    First things first: seek advice from professionals. They’ll help you determine the right legal structure—whether it’s a Private Limited Company (PLC) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)—and guide you through the entire process.
  • Set Governance Guidelines
    Define your family charter, investment mandate, and compliance protocols. This ensures transparency and alignment among stakeholders, while satisfying local regulatory standards.
  • Global Benchmark for Compliance
    Singapore is renowned for its robust regulatory framework, particularly in Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards. This strong compliance culture reassures investors and institutions, ensuring a secure environment for financial activities. Combined with political stability, economic resilience, and a highly educated, globally connected population, Singapore has firmly positioned itself as a trusted hub for both traditional and digital finance.
  • Transparent Legal and Tax Framework
    Singapore’s legal system offers clarity and consistency, particularly in taxation and regulation. Family offices benefit from a range of tax incentives aimed at encouraging local employment and investments in the domestic market. These incentives have contributed to the growth of family offices from 400 in 2020 to over 1,100 by 2022. The country’s single-tier corporate tax system also ensures that dividends are tax-free, further enhancing its appeal.
  • A Global Financial Powerhouse
    Regularly ranked among the most competitive and business-friendly economies globally, Singapore continues to innovate—most notably with the introduction of digital banks. Its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and financial openness make it a top choice for family offices seeking agility, access, and a platform for global investments.
  • Stable Political and Economic Foundation
    Singapore’s stable governance and rule of law underpin its socio-economic success. With a strong legal framework and business-friendly policies, the country continues to attract global investors. Its strategic location and status as a leading International Financial Centre (IFC) make it an ideal gateway to global markets. Ranked third in the 2022 Global Financial Centres Index, Singapore offers a pro-business environment that is both efficient and cost-effective for family offices.
  • Seungyup SONG
    Legal Counsel Seungyup SONG is the Legal Counsel at Saichild. He joined the firm in 2019, bringing with him over seven years of regulatory experience in asset management. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Head of the Legal Team at KB Asset Management, where he oversaw legal and regulatory matters across a wide range of asset classes and investment strategies. During his time at KB Asset Management, Seungyup played a key role in providing legal guidance through periods of significant domestic growth and expansion. His expertise spans product development, operations, distribution, governance, and capital markets. He has also advised on complex regulatory, commercial, and strategic initiatives involving registered funds. Seungyup is fluent in both Korean and English.
  • Cheryl LEE
    Senior Associate Staffing & Admin Manager Cheryl LEE serves as the Staffing & Admin Manager and oversees Office Administration at Saichild. Since joining the firm in 2022, she has led Saichild’s human resources efforts with over 6 years of experience in the HR field. Before joining Saichild, Cheryl was an Associate in Human Resources at Deutsche Morgan Grenfell in Korea for four years. She also held the role of Assistant Business and Administration Manager within the Investment Banking division of Kookmin Bank for two years. Cheryl is fluent in both Korean and English.
  • Yupil CHA
    Senior Associate IT & Security Manager Prior to joining Saichild, Yupil CHA worked at Mirae Asset Global Investments and is responsible for formulating the future technology roadmap and architecture of the group, ensuring that the technological resources meet the company’s short and long-term needs. With a deep-seated passion for the fintech and consumer sectors, Yupil harnessed his expertise to explore the potential of new technologies within those industries. ​
  • Inseung KIM
    Senior Associate Marketing Manager Inseung KIM is the Marketing Manager at Saichild, where he leads the firm’s marketing initiatives and brand development efforts. He joined the firm in 2023, bringing with him a strong background in financial marketing and communications. Before joining Saichild, Inseung served as Assistant Manager of Marketing at TOSS in Korea. He also spent over three years at Shinhan Bank, where he held various roles in marketing and communications. Inseung is fluent in both Korean and English.
  • Crown Capital Markets Co. Limited
    James LEE First Vice President Head of Business Unit & Chief Trader Yeonhyun PARK SungHyun KIM Byeongjun LEE Vice President Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President Senior Trader Quant Trader Trader & Execution Services Hyeon-jong CHOI Jaewon SHIN Soyoung PARK Senior Associate Senior Associate Associate Quant Researcher Operations Manager Company Administrator www.crown.sg
  • Popular RE (Hong Kong) Limited
    Eddie SMH CF&E Investments Group First Vice President Jisu NA Richard LEE Greg CHOI Vice President Assistant Vice President Senior Associate Head of Business Unit Soyoung PARK Associate Company Administrator www.popular.hk
  • CF&E Investments Group
    Eddie SMH CF&E Investments Group First Vice President Michael SMH Pan Seok KANG Jiseok CHANG Vice President Assistant Vice President Senior Associate Head of Business Unit Kisun CHUNG Gu Hyug KWON Soyoung PARK Senior Associate Associate Associate Company Administrator www.cfe.asia

How CF&E Trust Can Support You
CF&E Trust brings deep expertise in managing and supporting family offices, offering a comprehensive suite of bespoke solutions for both single and multi-family structures.

 

How to Set Up a Family Office in Singapore

Singapore is globally recognised as a premier destination for wealth management, and for good reason. Ranked as the 5th wealthiest city in the world, it is home to 41 billionaires and over 270,000 millionaires. The Republic has become a magnet for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) seeking refined, personalised wealth solutions. With over 1,400 single-family offices already established here, Singapore offers a robust ecosystem for wealth preservation, succession planning, and portfolio simplification.

 

For those exploring how to establish a family office in Singapore, this guide walks you through the essentials—from legal setup to strategic staffing.

What is a Family Office?

A family office is a bespoke wealth management structure designed to serve the long-term financial and governance needs of affluent families. Each setup is tailored, as no two families are the same. Singapore’s model is especially attractive, offering customised solutions that span budgeting, investment planning, risk management, family governance, and even real estate strategies. The objective? Safeguard and grow wealth for both current and future generations.

 

As Singapore strengthens its role as a global hub for family offices, its appeal continues to rise. The city-state’s political stability, rule of law, tax incentives, and high quality of life make it a strategic gateway to the Asia-Pacific region—ideal for families managing wealth on a global scale

  • Build Your Team
    A high-performing family office requires trusted professionals—investment managers, legal counsel, CFOs, and compliance officers. Hiring qualified local talent ensures alignment with Singapore’s legal and regulatory environment.
  • Implement the Right Tech
    Use technology to enhance investment tracking, compliance, data security, and administration. A solid tech stack supports operational efficiency and data-driven decisions.
  • Choose Your Legal Structure
    Decide between a Single-Family Office (SFO), which serves one family exclusively, or a Multi-Family Office (MFO), which manages assets for multiple families. Each has unique pros and cons depending on your priorities around privacy, cost, and control.
  • Secure Necessary Licences
    SFOs are typically exempt from licensing if they only manage a single family’s assets. MFOs, however, generally require a Capital Markets Services (CMS) licence under MAS regulations. Early engagement with MAS is highly recommended
  • Engage Expert Advisors
    First things first: seek advice from professionals. They’ll help you determine the right legal structure—whether it’s a Private Limited Company (PLC) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)—and guide you through the entire process.
  • Set Governance Guidelines
    Define your family charter, investment mandate, and compliance protocols. This ensures transparency and alignment among stakeholders, while satisfying local regulatory standards.
  • Global Benchmark for Compliance
    Singapore is renowned for its robust regulatory framework, particularly in Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards. This strong compliance culture reassures investors and institutions, ensuring a secure environment for financial activities. Combined with political stability, economic resilience, and a highly educated, globally connected population, Singapore has firmly positioned itself as a trusted hub for both traditional and digital finance.
  • Transparent Legal and Tax Framework
    Singapore’s legal system offers clarity and consistency, particularly in taxation and regulation. Family offices benefit from a range of tax incentives aimed at encouraging local employment and investments in the domestic market. These incentives have contributed to the growth of family offices from 400 in 2020 to over 1,100 by 2022. The country’s single-tier corporate tax system also ensures that dividends are tax-free, further enhancing its appeal.
  • A Global Financial Powerhouse
    Regularly ranked among the most competitive and business-friendly economies globally, Singapore continues to innovate—most notably with the introduction of digital banks. Its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and financial openness make it a top choice for family offices seeking agility, access, and a platform for global investments.
  • Stable Political and Economic Foundation
    Singapore’s stable governance and rule of law underpin its socio-economic success. With a strong legal framework and business-friendly policies, the country continues to attract global investors. Its strategic location and status as a leading International Financial Centre (IFC) make it an ideal gateway to global markets. Ranked third in the 2022 Global Financial Centres Index, Singapore offers a pro-business environment that is both efficient and cost-effective for family offices.
  • Seungyup SONG
    Legal Counsel Seungyup SONG is the Legal Counsel at Saichild. He joined the firm in 2019, bringing with him over seven years of regulatory experience in asset management. Prior to this, he served as Assistant Head of the Legal Team at KB Asset Management, where he oversaw legal and regulatory matters across a wide range of asset classes and investment strategies. During his time at KB Asset Management, Seungyup played a key role in providing legal guidance through periods of significant domestic growth and expansion. His expertise spans product development, operations, distribution, governance, and capital markets. He has also advised on complex regulatory, commercial, and strategic initiatives involving registered funds. Seungyup is fluent in both Korean and English.
  • Cheryl LEE
    Senior Associate Staffing & Admin Manager Cheryl LEE serves as the Staffing & Admin Manager and oversees Office Administration at Saichild. Since joining the firm in 2022, she has led Saichild’s human resources efforts with over 6 years of experience in the HR field. Before joining Saichild, Cheryl was an Associate in Human Resources at Deutsche Morgan Grenfell in Korea for four years. She also held the role of Assistant Business and Administration Manager within the Investment Banking division of Kookmin Bank for two years. Cheryl is fluent in both Korean and English.
  • Yupil CHA
    Senior Associate IT & Security Manager Prior to joining Saichild, Yupil CHA worked at Mirae Asset Global Investments and is responsible for formulating the future technology roadmap and architecture of the group, ensuring that the technological resources meet the company’s short and long-term needs. With a deep-seated passion for the fintech and consumer sectors, Yupil harnessed his expertise to explore the potential of new technologies within those industries. ​
  • Inseung KIM
    Senior Associate Marketing Manager Inseung KIM is the Marketing Manager at Saichild, where he leads the firm’s marketing initiatives and brand development efforts. He joined the firm in 2023, bringing with him a strong background in financial marketing and communications. Before joining Saichild, Inseung served as Assistant Manager of Marketing at TOSS in Korea. He also spent over three years at Shinhan Bank, where he held various roles in marketing and communications. Inseung is fluent in both Korean and English.
  • Crown Capital Markets Co. Limited
    James LEE First Vice President Head of Business Unit & Chief Trader Yeonhyun PARK SungHyun KIM Byeongjun LEE Vice President Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President Senior Trader Quant Trader Trader & Execution Services Hyeon-jong CHOI Jaewon SHIN Soyoung PARK Senior Associate Senior Associate Associate Quant Researcher Operations Manager Company Administrator www.crown.sg
  • Popular RE (Hong Kong) Limited
    Eddie SMH CF&E Investments Group First Vice President Jisu NA Richard LEE Greg CHOI Vice President Assistant Vice President Senior Associate Head of Business Unit Soyoung PARK Associate Company Administrator www.popular.hk
  • CF&E Investments Group
    Eddie SMH CF&E Investments Group First Vice President Michael SMH Pan Seok KANG Jiseok CHANG Vice President Assistant Vice President Senior Associate Head of Business Unit Kisun CHUNG Gu Hyug KWON Soyoung PARK Senior Associate Associate Associate Company Administrator www.cfe.asia
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