6 days Ago
In the UAE, where private banking has long been defined by marble floors, exclusive lounges, and discreet in-person meetings, a quiet revolution is under way. A new wave of investors — young, tech-savvy, and socially connected — is demanding a digital-first approach that is reshaping how wealth is managed and relationships are built. Historically, high-net-worth clients in the Gulf region have valued face-to-face interactions and long-standing personal relationships with their bankers.
But the next generation isn’t walking into branches — they’re logging in. They expect seamless digital platforms, real-time engagement, and financial insights served up on the same channels they use every day. This generational shift is being led by Gen Z — those born between 1997 and 2012 — who are entering the investment world with very different expectations from the clients of decades past.
They’ve grown up in a world of instant access, AI-curated content, and hyper-personalisation. And they’re bringing that mindset into their financial lives. Basit Sajid Saiyed, Head of Wealth Management, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank “Private banks must completely rethink their approach when it comes to Gen Z customers.
This generation demands more than traditional wealth management products. They expect digital first approach, personalisation of services and offerings, strong commitment to values, sustainability and social impact, as well as transparency around fees and ethical investing options,” says Basit Sajid Saiyed, Head of Wealth Management at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank. Gen Z is expected to make up about 27 per cent of the workforce by 2025, according to the World Economic Forum.
By 2035, Gen Z will be the largest generation in the workforce, according to management consulting firm Arthur D Little. “To connect across various customer segments, banks must rethink their approach to meet the expectations of what wealth management looks like across different customer cohorts. A seamless, mobile-first experience is non-negotiable, coupled with real-time insights and transparent access to financial products,” says Shehzad Hameed, Managing Director – Retail Banking, RAKBANK.
A recent whitepaper launched in January 2025 by the DIFC Innovation Hub, Julius Baer, and Euroclear further underscores the urgency of this transformation. The Navigating the Future of Inheritance report, explored how advanced technologies are reshaping the wealth transfer process, especially as the Middle East prepares for an unprecedented generational handover. With an estimated $1 trillion (Dh3.
67 trillion) in assets set to pass to heirs and extended family, including $700 billion in the UAE alone — a 20 per cent increase since 2022 — the stakes are high. The report outlined how digital tools such as artificial intelligence, smart contracts, distributed ledger technology, and tokenisation could dramatically improve transparency, efficiency, and security in inheritance planning and wealth transfer. From branches to feeds For years, family offices and private bankers in the UAE have catered to clients through invitation-only events, tailored portfolio reviews, and elite concierge services.
While those elements still matter, younger clients are seeking flexibility, transparency, and control. Rather than sitting down for quarterly reviews in a DIFC office, Gen Z investors are more likely to catch a market update on TikTok, tune into a live Q&A on YouTube, or crowdsource opinions on Reddit. “To effectively engage Gen Z investors, family offices and private bankers must rethink communication and relationship-building by embracing digital-first, personalised strategies.
This includes creating short-form, visual content through videos, infographics and interactive dashboards on platforms like TikTok, Instagram reels and YouTube shorts to simplify complex financial topics,” Alex Hughes, co-founder of Totem Hybrid Events, wrote in an recent article in Professional Wealth Managament, a magazine by the Financial Times Group. No longer a ‘nice to have’ Across the UAE’s financial landscape, AI and digital personalisation are no longer luxury add-ons — they’re expected. Gen Z wants financial advice that feels as intuitive and custom-fit as their music playlists or streaming queues.
“Clients value intuitive tools that empower them to independently explore, compare and invest, but they also want the comfort of expert advice, when needed. So, the future of banking is “phygital’ and deeply personalised. By striking a balance between cutting-edge digital platforms and personalised human guidance, banks can foster trust, engagement, and loyalty among this generation of investors,” adds Hamed.
The UAE’s private banking heritage is built on trust, discretion, and exclusivity. These qualities aren’t going away — but they must now be delivered in new ways. The future of investor relations in the region will blend the legacy of prestige with the agility of technology.
It’s no longer about replacing human relationships — it’s about enhancing them through smarter, faster, and more flexible engagement..
