The hidden impact of currency on global aspirations
Consider a familiar aspiration among affluent families in Asia: international education. According to the HSBC Quality of Life Report1, a 3- or 4-year degree programme in popular overseas destinations such as the US, UK, Australia, and Canada can cost between USD 192K to USD 256K per child. Even a modest fluctuation in currency exchange—say an average shift of 10%— could mean paying an extra SGD25-30K. With more than half of affluent parents in Asia planning to fund overseas education for their children1, strategic currency management becomes an enabler that can support family aspirations across borders.
Holding assets in stable global currencies can also enhance financial mobility, giving you the flexibility to pursue opportunities abroad, while ensuring your global aspirations across borders stay on track with lesser impact from exchange rate fluctuations.
The HSBC Affluent Investor Snapshot 2025 highlights this trend.2 In 2024, investors reduced nearly 40% of their cash holdings, reallocating into international equities, multi-asset strategies, gold, and alternatives. Just as savvy investors diversify risk across asset classes, diversifying across currencies builds resilience against volatility.
Legacy planning: insurance as a strategic asset
Insurance serves as a powerful tool that combines protection with wealth transfer, providing families with financial security and long-term benefits in a single solution. You may have heirs, businesses, and investments spread across multiple countries. By anchoring value in the world’s reserve currencies, families can preserve purchasing power across borders, fund succession plans while reducing the impact of currency fluctuations on inheritance outcomes.
For instance, the value of a payout in a stable currency such as SGD helps reduce the impact of currency fluctuations if your beneficiary resides in countries with stronger currencies—enabling global mobility while preserving value.
Are you holding your wealth in the right currencies for tomorrow?
True wealth is more than numbers: it’s a life rich in possibilities, purpose, and well-being. Strategic currency management is one of the practical ways to help make that life achievable.
When planning for the future, it’s important to consider a currency strategy that is both balanced and intentional. By aligning currency choices with your lifestyle goals, family footprint, and appetite for global opportunities, you can build a plan that supports your aspirations.
Speak with our Financial Planners to explore how intentional planning today can unlock opportunities tomorrow for you and your loved ones.
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