CORPFIN 6013 - Wealth Management in Asia

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course is taught by both academic and industry instructors and focuses on the Wealth Management industry in the Asia Pacific region. It explores the needs of high net worth investors and the asset classes that they invest in. It examines diversification of risk management and portfolio performance measurement. The vital importance of asset allocation, both strategic and tactical are explained and workshopped. The rapid growth of private banking and family offices are explored in detail. Private Banking is an exclusive subset of wealth management. We will examine traditional services offered by private banks as well as the newer solutions in this space. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the client segmentation strategies of private banks in Asia. In addition, we explore the needs, behaviours and investment strategies of the HNW and UHNW clients with a focus on China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and India, that the Private Banks seek to serve with such solutions.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CORPFIN 6013
    Course Wealth Management in Asia
    Coordinating Unit International Centre for Financial Services
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites CORPFIN 7005
    Incompatible CORPFIN 6004
    Course Description This course is taught by both academic and industry instructors and focuses on the Wealth Management industry in the Asia Pacific region. It explores the needs of high net worth investors and the asset classes that they invest in. It examines diversification of risk management and portfolio performance measurement. The vital importance of asset allocation, both strategic and tactical are explained and workshopped. The rapid growth of private banking and family offices are explored in detail. Private Banking is an exclusive subset of wealth management. We will examine traditional services offered by private banks as well as the newer solutions in this space. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the client segmentation strategies of private banks in Asia. In addition, we explore the needs, behaviours and investment strategies of the HNW and UHNW clients with a focus on China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and India, that the Private Banks seek to serve with such solutions.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Syed Zamin Ali

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Understand behaviour of traditional/core and alternative asset classes and the role they play in investors' portfolios.

    2. Examine the importance of asset allocation and how this relates to the investment strategies of firms and individuals

    3. Determine the core requirements of portfolio construction and read mutual fund performance reports in order to provide a recommendation on the choice of funds.

    4. Identify the key trends that are shaping the wealth management industry, private banking and the needs and behaviours of HNW and UWNI clients. Global issues are explored with emphasis placed on Asia Pacific examples.

    5. Compare the structures, operations, solutions and strategies of Private Banks in the Asia Pacific region

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    All

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1, 2 and 3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    All

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    4 and 5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    None
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Additional readings will be advised to students and listed under each topic in the MyUni web-site, course materials.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is taught through weekly online lectures and tutorials (tutorials will start in week 2). Students will use their knowledge of capital market to gain knowledge of designing solutions for High Networth Individuials (HNIs) and Very High Networth Individuals (VHNIs).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 9 hours for a three-unit course of private study outside of your regular classes.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Weeks 1 and 2: Asset Classes
    This part fo the course focuses on understanding Core Asset Classes (Equities and Bonds) charachteristics and perforamnce behaviour and an Introduction to Alternative Investments (Private Equity/Venture Capital, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Hedge Funds and Commodities) .

    Weeks 3 and 4: Asset Allocation
    This part of the course focuses on the theoretical foundation of Modern Portfolio Theory. Students will learn to create Mean Variance efficient portfolio for an Investor using core asset classes and alternative investments. 

    Weeks 5 and 6: Fund Evaluation and Selection
    This part of the course focuses on the implementation of an asset allocation using funds from the market. Students will learn quantitative and qualitative aspects of a fund to select funds for a hypothetical investor.

    Weeks 7 and 8:Practical Asset Allocation
    This part of the course extends the theoretical portfolio construction to the real world.

    Weeks 9 and 10:Behavioural Finance
    Behaviours and Trends of Private Investors in Asia
    Behaviours and Trends of family Offices in Asia

    Weeks 11 and 12:Wealth Management in Practice
    The Client Experience - Private Banks in Asia
    The Role of the Wealth Advisor
    HNW/UNHW Client Segmentation Strategies – Asia Pacific
    AML/CDD/KYC
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Due Date Weighting              Related Learning Outcome
    In-course assessment (Day 3) TBA 5% 1 & 5
    Assignment TBA 18% 5
    Presentation Saturday 19th October 27% 5
    3 hour CLOSED book Exam Thursday 7th November 50% 1-4
    100%
    Assessment Related Requirements
    In-course assessment (5%):
    A short form multiple choice in-course assessment, with a 5% weighting, will be undertaken by students in session 3. The assessment will enable students to receive early feedback on their progress in the course.

    Assignment 18%):
    This is a group assignment in teams with a maximum of 3 students.
    Students will be provided with a case study and consider the case from the perspective of a wealth manager.

    Presentation (27%)
    Groups will be asked to prepare a presentation to a panel on the last scheduled date of the course. At the completion of this presentation students will be provided with feedback to enable them to complete their final report.

    Exam (50%)
    All students must complete a 3 hour closed book exam. Topics will be set by the 3 course lecturers covering topics through weeks 1-5.

    Students must complete ALL assessment components for this course.
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    Presentation of Assignments
    • Please must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
    • Please attach an ‘Assignment Cover Sheet’, which is signed and dated by you before submission.
    • The lecturer will advise method of delivery for the assignment

    Lecturers can refuse to accept assignments, which do not have a signed acknowledgement of the University’s policy on plagiarism.

    Late Assignment Submission
    Students are expected to submit their work by the due date to maintain a fair and equitable system. Extensions will generally only be given for medical or other serious reasons. All requests for extensions must be emailed to the lecturer in charge of the course before the due date. Each request will be assessed on its merits. A late assignment (without prior arrangement) will be penalised by a 5% mark reduction for each day that it is late.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.