DBS expands private credit access as UHNW demand grows

DBS is expanding curated access to private credit and other private assets as ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients seek diversified sources of returns and income beyond public markets.

Asia’s private credit market has become more discerning, with investors paying closer attention to how private credit managers originate deals, assess risk and protect capital. At the same time, many Asian companies still require flexible financing for growth, acquisitions, and business transformation. This creates opportunities for managers such as Granite Asia, which combines global reach with deep local networks and specialist structuring expertise in Asia, to help these companies achieve their ambitions while giving investors access to their growth.

The response to Libra Hybrid bears this out. The fund surpassed its targeted raise of $500 million despite a difficult fundraising environment. Alongside other institutional investors, our private banking clients had exclusive access to the strategy and committed close to SGD 70 million ($55 million). It signals that even in a more selective market, investors will continue to back managers with the right reach and expertise to originate and structure good deals,” said James Tan, group head of Investment Product and Advisory, DBS Bank.

DBS Private Bank’s private assets business grew fivefold between 2020 and 2025, as clients sought a wider mix of return and income sources beyond public markets. The bank works with global and regional managers to offer UHNW clients curated access to private equity, private credit, infrastructure and real estate. Manager selection is central to its approach, with attention paid to track record, deal sourcing, underwriting and the role each investment plays in a client’s portfolio.

DBS’ participation in Libra Hybrid builds on its three-year partnership with Granite Asia, which began with a $110 million AI-focused IPO fund distributed exclusively to DBS wealth clients.

Re-disseminated by Wealth and Society