Fintech exec gets his kicks from football and finance fundamentals

His focus is on strategic investments and wealth preservation, not short-term rewards

- Sue-Ann Tan Business Correspondent

Mr Kevin Teng, chief executive of wealth management company Wise Private Singapore, says "knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe is key. Just as players must find a style of play that suits their strengths, investors need an approach that aligns with their unique risk tolerance and capabilities". ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

(ST PHOTO: GIN TAY)

“A solid defence proves more essential than a flashy offence” is Mr Kevin Teng’s motto both when playing football and managing his finances.

The chief executive officer of wealth management company Wrise Private Singapore says: “Knowing when to take risks and when to play it safe is key. Just as players must find a style of play that suits their strengths, investors need an approach that aligns with their unique risk tolerance and capabilities.”

The 47-year-old Manchester United fan’s childhood dream was to be a professional football player, and he collected World Cup sticker books and avidly watched football matches.

But instead, he went on to carve out a career in investment and wealth management over two decades, working at financial institutions such as the Bank of Singapore, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered Private Bank and Citibank International Personal Bank.

At Wrise, he focuses on providing wealth management solutions, including tailored investment strategies to ultrahighand high-net-worth individuals.

Mr Teng holds a degree in business administration, finance and economics from Baylor University in Texas. While there, he worked for his school’s endowment fund as part of a course he took.

He and his wife, who works in technology consulting, have a daughter, a golden retriever and a cat. He plays football once or twice a week.

Q What do you invest in and why?

A I focus on three main areas: public equity investments, tangible assets and the company’s multi-asset fund.