HSBC has officially opened a dedicated asset management branch in the UAE, marking a strategic expansion into one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing financial centers. The move underscores the bank’s commitment to strengthening its wealth management capabilities across the EMEA region.
- HSBC launched an asset management branch in Dubai, UAE, within the DIFC.
- The unit targets high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients.
- HSBC had $120 billion in AUM across the EMEA region in 2025.
- Projected additional $20 billion in AUM from the UAE branch within three years.
- Supports HSBC’s strategy to expand wealth management presence in the Middle East.
- Expected to improve return on equity in EMEA by up to 1.5 percentage points.
HSBC has launched a new asset management branch in Dubai, UAE, aiming to capture growing demand for institutional and private wealth services in the region. The facility, located within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), will focus on catering to high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional investors across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. The unit will operate under HSBC’s global asset management arm, leveraging the bank’s existing infrastructure and regulatory approvals in the UAE. The launch follows a 15% increase in HSBC’s client assets under management (AUM) in the EMEA region during 2025, with approximately $120 billion in AUM attributed to the Middle East and North Africa markets. This new branch is expected to contribute an additional $20 billion in AUM within the next three years, according to internal projections. HSBC’s entry into the UAE’s asset management landscape also aligns with the UAE’s broader ambition to become a regional hub for alternative investments and digital finance. The development positions HSBC to compete more effectively with regional players such as Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) and international firms like BlackRock, which have also expanded their regional footprints. With HSBC.HK and EMEA.BK reflecting stronger investor sentiment in recent quarters, the UAE expansion may further support earnings growth in the bank’s international wealth and asset management segment. Analysts note that the move could improve return on equity in the EMEA region by up to 1.5 percentage points over the next five years.