FINANCE

UBS Sees Surge in China Family Trusts as Founders Plan Wealth Transfers

Published: Jun. 12, 2026 12:43 a.m. GMT+8

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Yang Dexing, president of UBS (China) Ltd.

Demand for wealth-succession tools among China’s ultra-rich is accelerating, with the family trust market estimated to have approached 1 trillion yuan ($147 billion) in 2025, according to the head of UBS Group AG’s local banking unit.

The rapid growth reflects a shift in wealth planning among China’s first-generation entrepreneurs, who are moving beyond traditional inheritance methods and turning to structured trust arrangements as they navigate market volatility and prepare for generational transfers.

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China's family trust market approached 1 trillion yuan ($147 billion) in 2025, up from 650 billion yuan in 2024, driven by first-generation entrepreneurs seeking structured succession.
Adoption remains limited; most high-net-worth individuals still rely on insurance or property, with regulatory clarity improving only since 2018.
UBS recommends diversification across geographies and assets, and notes trust structures can separate ownership from management to ease family-business succession.

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Who’s Who

UBS Group AG: UBS Group AG, through its local unit UBS (China) Ltd., estimates China’s family trust market approached 1 trillion yuan in 2025. President Yang Dexing cites rapid growth as first-generation entrepreneurs adopt structured trusts for succession. UBS also notes mainland ultra-high-net-worth individuals added $321.4 billion in wealth last year and has deployed over 500 AI applications globally.

UBS (China) Ltd.: UBS (China) Ltd. is the local banking unit of UBS Group AG. President Yang Dexing estimated China's family trust market approached ¥1 trillion in 2025. The unit advises ultra-high-net-worth clients, emphasizing human advisers alongside 500+ AI applications. It recommends diversifying across geographies and alternative investments.

China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd.: China Merchants Bank Co. Ltd., in a joint report with Bain & Co., found that among China's high-net-worth individuals who have begun estate planning, most still rely on insurance or property purchases, with few using complex family trusts. This highlights limited adoption of structured succession tools.

Bain & Co.: Bain & Co. is a consultancy that co-authored a report with China Merchants Bank on high-net-worth individuals in China. The report found that among 73% who began estate planning, most still rely on insurance or property, with few using complex family trusts.

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