Pyrmont Wealth Management made our list because of its professional team, which has decades of experience in the field.  

Leading the firm is CEO Donald Soo, who brings over 25 years of experience from major financial institutions in Singapore and Australia. 

Additionally, Pyrmont’s financial planners and advisors have years of experience working with business owners and high-net-worth individuals.  

However, the firm operates with a small team, which may limit its ability to accommodate a large number of clients.

Regardless, we like that it is regulated by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission and the Hong Kong Insurance Authority. This ensures it operates within a regulatory framework and is accredited to work with individuals and institutions in HK.

We are pleased to know that the firm utilizes financial planning software such as LifePlan. This tool focuses on providing life-centered planning strategies and solutions tailored to client’s needs. 

We also value its fee-based approach, allowing clients to pay for advice and services at an “à la carte” rate. Every service and financial product is quoted upfront, so clients can avoid hidden fees that often come with commissions from third-party providers. 

Experienced professionals

“Very professional advisors.”

Peter Fishwick, Google Reviews

Charlton House Wealth Management may be new to the industry, but its highly experienced professionals and extensive global networks have helped it establish a strong reputation in Hong Kong.   

What sets them apart is their ability to work across time zones. Additionally, their branches are regulated under both Hong Kong and London jurisdictions. 

Their expertise lies in providing comprehensive financial solutions and advice across multiple jurisdictions. This includes assets, pensions, or estates held in different regions. 

We think they can be highly beneficial for clients currently living overseas or planning to relocate in the future. 

The downside is that, despite being based in Hong Kong, they only accept British and international clients who reside here.

Although they don’t use automated platforms or software, we like that their financial planners prioritize one-to-one, personalized service.   

Moreover, as an independent financing firm, they’re not tied to any providers or banks. This just ensures that their advice remains unbiased and solely in the best interests of their clients. 

Honest and reliable financial planners

“As an international disputes lawyer working in Hong Kong for nearly 10 years, I’ve always been wary of financial advisors (cold calls followed by casual drinks “events” and then the hard sell for a 5-year locked-in financial product). David was a breath of fresh air, honest, direct and took time to understand my particular goals and financial situation. Now, I can withdraw managed funds whenever I want without a fee, but I wont, because David and his team have shown that they understand the capital markets far better than your average “wealth” advisor at the bank (and well, me). It will ebb and flow but in the long run, I’m in good hands and I’ve consistently seen above market performance.”

Kate Fisher, Google Reviews

Thornton Global Wealth Management, formerly known as Thornton International Investment Limited, is one of the largest Independent Financial Advisory (IFA) companies in the city. 

Since 1998, they have expanded their reach to Macau, Taiwan, and Japan. In our opinion, this speaks volumes about their expertise and reputation in the industry.  

We also like that Thornton has built strong partnerships with various domestic and offshore banks, along with other key players in the financial sector. 

We believe this makes them a great choice for those seeking access to a comprehensive suite of financial solutions and products. 

Additionally, they offer an exclusive B2B (Business-to-Business) online system for corporations. This is particularly beneficial for business owners who require secure data exchange and workflow automation for various financial processes.   

The only drawback we see is that the only way to schedule an initial consultation with them is via phone call. We think it would be more convenient for clients if they introduced an online booking system on their website.  

Tailored and accessible solutions 

“A few months ago I attended one of their evening events. It was professional, non aggressive/high pressure and more educational than I had expected. Since then I had several meetings with Andrew. He was very knowledgeable, receptive to my needs and not pushy. Their follow up and ease to contact them is well above average. So far I highly recommend this company and their great staff!”

Craig L., Yelp Reviews

What’s notable about Acuma is that their experts can assist with complex financial arrangements for Hong Kong residents and American expats. 

This includes handling offshore pensions for those living abroad and multi-jurisdictional estate planning for Americans married to foreign nationals.   

Acuma also earns points for being an independent financial consultancy firm. With their impartial financial advice on pension planning, inheritance tax planning, and education fee planning, they are a strong choice for personal finance.

We also appreciate that they have built a strong network with some of the world’s largest investment houses. This includes Zurich International Life, Friends Provident, and Royal Skandia.

However, despite positioning themselves as an independent advisor, we noticed that their insurance solutions involve partnerships with various third-party providers.

This suggests that Acuma may primarily recommend insurance policies from its network of preferred partners.

We believe it’s important to note that their recommendations could be influenced by these existing affiliations. 

Clear and transparent solutions 

“Very good experience, Mark helped me to put something in place to protect my assets before I return to the UK clear and transparent products really good service all around.”

Billy West, Google Reviews

St. James’s Place has been around since 1991. To this day, the firm provides expert solutions across the full spectrum of financial planning services.

What we appreciate most about this company is its strong commitment to delivering tailored advice. We noticed that it prioritizes personalized solutions over robo-advice from financial planning software.

For instance, in investment planning, St. James’s Place has an investment committee that regularly reviews performance and metric reports from different investment managers worldwide.

Through this, clients can gain access to various fund managers and investment strategies that we believe are well-suited to the ever-changing market conditions.  

When it comes to personal finance, the firm focuses on long-term growth and sustainable financial goals. It offers various tax strategies designed to help clients minimize tax expenditures and save more in the long run.

Our main concern is the initial financial advice fee, starting at 4.5% of the client’s investment or pension—a steep upfront cost on top of the 0.5% to 1.5% annual fee for ongoing advice.  

Trusted and comprehensive services 

“I have been a client of St. James Place for several years, and I am consistently impressed with their services and expertise. Their team is knowledgeable, professional, and always willing to go the extra mile to meet my financial needs. They offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to my individual goals. Their personalized approach makes me feel valued and understood, and I appreciate their commitment to transparency and integrity. Overall, SJP has exceeded my expectations in every way. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable and trustworthy financial guidance.”

Sanjeev Verma, Google Reviews