A DBS report reveals that family offices are underprepared for succession and risk events, despite their goal of preserving wealth across generations.
The “DBS Asian Family Office Almanac 2026: Assessing the Risk Readiness Gap” surveyed 200 family offices in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East between January and May 2026. It identified wealth transfer, risk management, and AI adoption as key concerns, with limited planning or implementation across these areas.
Wealth Transfer and Succession Challenges
While 79% of families plan to pass wealth to at least two further generations, 43% report that the next generation does not participate in wealth planning. Just 4% expect a meaningful transfer within three years, while 29% anticipate the process taking more than seven years. Another 15% foresee wealth transfer only after a crisis or the founder’s incapacity.
Only 1% of next-generation members lead the design and implementation of these plans. The founder’s desire to retain control is a significant barrier, with 33% citing it as the main cause of delay in wealth transfer. Additionally, 55% of respondents are uncertain about appropriate ownership structures as the next generation increasingly lives and works across borders.
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Risk Management and Business Continuity
Over 85% of family offices lack formal business continuity plans, relying instead on informal arrangements or remaining unsure about their existence. Only 15% have formalized plans that are regularly tested.
Cybersecurity and data privacy risks are unaddressed by 38% of family offices, and just 3% have obtained or plan to obtain cyber insurance. Internal risks, such as intergenerational leadership (27%), governance (26%), and family conflict (23%), are also overlooked.
A lack of in-house risk management expertise was the most frequently cited barrier to addressing risks, at 56%. Limited internal resources followed at 48%.
AI Adoption and Expertise Gaps
Although 60% of family offices aim to learn how to adopt AI effectively, 47% have not yet integrated digital tools or AI into their daily operations. The main barriers to AI adoption are internal expertise gaps (49%) and data security concerns (46%).