Hong Kong is solidifying its position as a global financial hub, with a significant rise in ultra-high-net-worth individuals and total assets under management. According to the "World Ultra Wealth Report 2026" published by the New York-based wealth intelligence firm Altrata in June, the city had an estimated 18,290 ultra-high-net-worth individuals with personal assets exceeding US$30 million by the end of last year, a 26.4 per cent increase over the previous year.
This growth mirrors the broader wealth management market in the city. Data from the "Asset and Wealth Management Activities Survey 2025," released by Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission in July, showed that total assets under management reached HK$42 trillion (US$5.4 trillion) last year, representing a 20 per cent year-on-year increase from 2024.
Betty Lee, Chief Product Officer at CTF Life, notes that high-net-worth and professional investors are currently prioritizing diversification to mitigate market volatility and uncertainty. She states that these investors are looking for products that can support long-term wealth preservation and growth, while giving them greater control over how their assets are positioned over time. Lee attributes this demand to broader developments in Asia, where the rise in private wealth is driving demand for more sophisticated wealth management and legacy planning solutions.
To address these needs, CTF Life has introduced the Shiny Treasure Indexed Universal Life Insurance Plan for professional investors. The product features a dual-account design that offers both an index account to pursue potential growth opportunities and a fixed account supporting steady wealth accumulation. Subject to the agreed terms, policyholders can allocate net premiums between the accounts, but also have a cumulative guaranteed value for added protection to help safeguard wealth during market downturns.
Lee describes the plan as Hong Kong’s first indexed universal life (IUL) insurance plan linked to BNP Paribas’ indices – plus one other globally renowned index – offering investors a differentiated approach to wealth planning. She explains that IUL insurance plans can complement traditional investment holdings by adding another layer of diversification and may appeal to professional investors seeking a combination of features, including legacy considerations, within a single solution.
The Shiny Treasure plan is the only IUL solution in Hong Kong that combines multiple index options with no upper limit on credited interest rate – and the lower limit on such rates is 0 per cent. In effect, this means that if the relevant index rises, policyholders benefit from the related growth without any limitation. If the market falls, though, the risk management mechanism ensures customers have minimum protection because the interest rate will not go below the 0 per cent floor. The underlying index choices cover areas including US large-cap equities, global equities and multi-asset allocation strategies, with volatility-control mechanisms incorporated into the indices.
Regarding the future of IUL solutions, Lee stresses that insurance industry leaders should ultimately be focused on whether the solutions offered are actually addressing clients’ insurance needs. She says CTF Life is committed to understanding customers’ aspirations and responding with solutions that can support them through different stages of life. She notes the company will continue to explore opportunities for wealth management, protection and long-term planning by leveraging the broader strengths of Chow Tai Fook group’s ecosystem.
Applications for the Shiny Treasure Indexed Universal Life Insurance Plan that are submitted by December 31, 2026, and approved by February 26, 2027, will be eligible for a 1 per cent welcome bonus on single premium payments. Eligible customers (professional investors) who choose a five-year premium payment term will be entitled to a 3.5 per cent welcome bonus. Terms and conditions apply.
