Continental Group to Offer Private Banking in Partnership with WRISE

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WRISE Group and Continental Group partner to bring private banking solutions to the UAE's mass-affluent market. Read the full strategy here.

Hong Kong-based WRISE Group partners with Middle East insurance leader Continental Group to expand private banking access across the UAE's mass-affluent market.
The alliance combines WRISE's digital TREX platform with Continental's 30-year regional presence and 250+ professional network.
Target market includes clients with USD 100,000 to USD 1 million in liquid assets, representing 50% of global investable wealth.
UAE projected to attract 9,800 relocating millionaires in 2025 and manage USD 1.5 trillion in wealth assets by 2028.
Integrated offering spans protection solutions, investments, structured products, and digital assets through combined distribution.
Partnership reflects industry trend toward technology-enabled democratisation of institutional-grade financial services previously reserved for ultra-wealthy clients.

Hong Kong-based wealth manager WRISE Group has formed a strategic alliance with The Continental Group, one of the Middle East's largest insurance intermediaries, to expand access to institutional-grade private banking services across the UAE. The partnership, announced on 20 January 2026, combines WRISE's digital wealth management platform with Continental's established regional distribution network to target the fast-growing mass-affluent segment.

The alliance reflects broader industry momentum toward democratising sophisticated financial services that have historically been reserved for ultra-high-net-worth clients. By leveraging technology and local market expertise, the partners aim to serve clients with liquid assets between USD 100,000 and USD 1 million—a segment representing half of the USD 42 trillion in global investable wealth.

Strategic Rationale Behind the Partnership

WRISE Group brings its proprietary TREX digital platform, which consolidates wealth across multiple banks and asset classes with 24/7 client access. Founded in 2022, the firm has rapidly scaled to over 400 employees globally with regulatory licenses in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai. The group operates three business units: WRISE Private for ultra-high-net-worth clients, WRISE Prestige for the mass-affluent market, and WRISE Capital for corporate advisory.

The Continental Group contributes three decades of regional presence, over 250 professionals, and partnerships with more than 50 insurance and financial institutions. Founded in 1994 by Ashok Sardana, Continental holds regulatory licenses from the UAE Central Bank, Securities and Commodities Authority, and Dubai Financial Services Authority. The firm recently expanded into DIFC in November 2022 to enhance its wealth management capabilities.

"This alliance reinforces WRISE's role as a bridge between Asian capital, Middle Eastern wealth and global opportunities," said Derrick Tan, Group Executive Chairman of WRISE Group. Tan, a former Bank of Singapore executive who managed over USD 47 billion in assets, emphasized the partnership's focus on "historically underserved clients through transparent, highly personalised and integrated wealth solutions."

Integrated Service Offering

The alliance will deliver an integrated shelf of products spanning protection solutions, savings products, investment-linked offerings, structured investments, and digital assets. This represents a shift from traditional models where insurance and wealth management operate in separate silos.

Continental's deep insurance expertise provides a natural entry point for holistic wealth planning conversations, while WRISE's platform enables seamless portfolio management across multiple jurisdictions. The combined proposition targets globally mobile families, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking cross-border solutions.

UAE Emerges as Global Wealth Hub

The partnership capitalizes on the UAE's rapid emergence as a leading wealth management centre. The country is projected to attract 9,800 relocating millionaires in 2025, the highest on record, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report. Dubai International Financial Centre processed over 200 new family office applications in 2024, a 40% increase year-on-year.

UAE wealth management assets under management are forecast to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2028, positioning the country as the world's sixth-largest wealth booking centre. This growth is driven by favorable regulation, zero personal income tax, political stability, and strategic location connecting Asian and European markets. Major global banks including UBS, JP Morgan, and Julius Baer have expanded UAE operations significantly over the past 24 months.

The Mass-Affluent Opportunity

The mass-affluent segment—defined as individuals with USD 100,000 to USD 1 million in liquid assets—has historically been underserved by traditional business models focused on either retail mass-market or high-net-worth clients. This demographic is increasingly seeking sophisticated financial planning beyond basic savings products but has faced high minimum thresholds at traditional private banks.

Technology is enabling new service models that combine digital efficiency for routine transactions with human expertise for complex planning. WRISE's approach provides institutional-level infrastructure through its TREX platform, including access to over 200 financial intermediaries and eight global booking centres, while Continental's 250-strong professional network delivers personalized local service.

Akshay Sardana, Group CEO of The Continental Group, noted the partnership represents "a shared commitment to raising the standard of financial advice and wealth solutions in the region" by combining Continental's client relationships with WRISE's technology-enabled platform.

Regulatory Framework Supports Growth

The UAE's multi-layered regulatory environment has created opportunities for specialized partnerships. The federal system coexists with independent financial free zones in DIFC and ADGM, each with distinct licensing regimes. Continental's licenses across mainland UAE (Central Bank and SCA) and DIFC enable comprehensive onshore and offshore service delivery.

Industry data shows 81% of wealth management firms are pursuing mergers, acquisitions, or strategic alliances, according to PwC research. The WRISE-Continental alliance follows this trend, offering a capital-efficient alternative to organic market expansion while navigating regulatory complexity through complementary license portfolios.