HSBC research shows that Singaporean investors are using artificial intelligence in their financial and investment operations at a higher rate than the global average. Yet, most people still rely on human advisors before making important investment decisions.
The research surveyed 609 mass affluent and high-net-worth investors in Singapore as part of a broader survey of 9,993 investors across 10 markets. It found that 76% of respondents in Singapore use AI in finance and investment operations, compared to 73% globally.
Adoption rates were particularly high among wealthy customers. Among investors with investable assets of USD 2 million or more, 90% in Singapore said they use AI in finance and investing, compared to 82% globally.
The findings show that it is also commonly used among older investors, suggesting that AI in finance is not limited to younger age groups. In Singapore, 72% of Gen X and Baby Boomer investors said they use AI in financial operations, compared to 65% and 59% globally.
Measured usage
Despite widespread acceptance, investors in Singapore remain wary of acting solely on AI. Only 8% said AI was the single most influential source of information in their recent major investment decisions, lower than the global figure of 12%.
Many respondents are using AI in the research phase rather than as a final decision maker. The survey found that 69% use it for research and analysis, 44% to support strategy, and 34% to stress test their ideas.
This is reflected in a hybrid model where investors combine machine-driven analysis with expert advice. Four in 10 investors in Singapore say they prefer to use AI first and then consult an advisor before investing, with 57% favoring AI and advisor collaboration, compared to 50% globally.
The importance of human input is also evident in the reasons investors give for consulting advisors. Among Singapore respondents, 79% want the reassurance of professional advisors, with 71% citing strategic expertise.
Risk appetite also appears to be subdued compared to some other markets. 43% of investors in Singapore said they were more willing to take calculated risks due to AI, which was lower than the global average of 49%.
Bank response
The data comes as HSBC expands its use of AI tools for its asset managers in Singapore. These include Wealth Intelligence, which gives relationship managers access to research and insights from over 10,000 sources, and AI Prepare, which creates client engagement packs from customers’ financial information.
These tools are intended to help advisors enter meetings with clients better prepared as investors arrive with more independent research and higher expectations. HSBC also announced a multi-year AI partnership with Google Cloud, with wealth management as its first focus area.
“Our new data shows that investors in Singapore are leveraging AI for disciplined financial decision-making. Investors are analyzing more things themselves, arriving at better-prepared conversations, and as a result expect more professional advisors to help them. This isn’t a challenge to the advisor relationship model; it’s setting a higher standard for what good advice looks like.”
Our investments in advisor-ready AI like Wealth Intelligence, AI Prepare, and our extensive partnership with Google Cloud give our relationship managers the tools to work rigorously at the same level as the clients they serve and bring something to the conversation that AI alone cannot. Deep experience, empathy, clear judgment and accountability for results,” said Ashmita Acharya, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC Singapore.
wealthy customers
The survey found that AI is already seen as having a significant impact on portfolio outcomes among high-net-worth respondents in Singapore. This group attributes an average of 40% of their investment returns over the past 12 months to the impact of AI, higher than the 31% average of all Singapore investors surveyed.
Additionally, two-thirds of high-net-worth respondents say AI gives them more control over their investments. This suggests that the technology is becoming embedded not only in research habits but also in the way wealthy customers evaluate their own decisions.
Singapore stands out for its combination of high adoption rates and relatively low appetite to rely on AI alone. For banks and advisors, this points to a customer base that is comfortable using digital tools, but still expects human accountability and judgment when money is at stake.
A preference for blended models was also observed among younger investors. According to the study, 45% of Gen Z investors in Singapore support using AI to generate new investment ideas before they are validated by an advisor, compared to 38% of global investors.
Across a broader set of data, Singapore has emerged as one of the more prudent markets in the use of AI for asset decisions, combining its high uptake with continued demand for human verification at the point of commitment. Only 8% of Singapore investors said AI was the single most influential source of information in their last major investment decision.
