Private banks caught in the crossfire from retail regulations

Risk.net: Private banks have tended to concentrate on the super-wealthy – clients they now call professional investors – but as new regulations governing structured products continue to categorise most high-net-worth individuals as retail investors, private banks are left grappling with the same regulatory challenges as their retail counterparts.

Full story: www.risk.net/structured-products/feature/2141310/private-banks-caught-crossfire-retail-regulations

Wealthy less confident about the future

Campden FO: High net worth individuals around the world feel less confident about their ability to increase their wealth and, as a result, will be less willing to spend money in the near future.

Full story: http://www.campdenfo.com/article/wealthy-less-confident-about-future-study

London Luxury-Home Prices Advance as Foreign Buyers Seek Haven

Bloomberg: Luxury home prices in central London gained for the 15th consecutive month in January as international investors seeking to protect their wealth competed for the few properties for sale, Knight Frank LLP said.

Full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-06/london-luxury-home-prices-rise-for-15th-month-as-foreign-buyers-seek-haven.html

The Lawyer: Cumberland Ellis and Wedlake Bell prepare for April merger.

Full story: http://www.thelawyer.com/1011201.article

Wealthy women neglecting inheritance planning

Campden FO: high net worth women are concerned about their family’s financial security, but many are still failing to take steps to ensure their wealth passes on to the next generation.

Full story: http://www.campdenfo.com/article/wealthy-women-neglecting-inheritance-planning

Asian HNWIs more optimistic than non-Asians

Private Banker International: three-quarters of Asian entrepreneurs have seen an increase in their wealth over the past 12 months and 84% expect their wealth to further increase in 2012, a marked difference from non-Asian wealthy, new research suggests.

Full story: http://www.vrl-financial-news.com/wealth-management/private-banker-intl/issues/pbi-2012/pbi-280/asian-hnwis-far-more-optimisti.aspx