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In 2026, Singapore’s family office regime is undergoing another round of important refinements.

Compared with earlier frameworks that placed heavier emphasis on entry thresholds and prudential oversight, the latest adjustments focus more on balancing procedural efficiency, privacy protection, and regulatory certainty.

The new measures not only streamline and accelerate the approval process, but also provide clearer operational guidance on talent requirements, investment scope, and compliance boundaries. These refinements reduce regulatory friction and offer more stable policy expectations for families engaged in long-term wealth planning.

This article highlights the key changes in the 2026 policy updates and outlines the main directions of Singapore’s evolving family office framework.

Removal of Third-Party Background Check Reports Balancing Privacy Protection and Approval Efficiency

 

 

One of the most closely watched changes concerns the background screening process.

Previously, starting from 1 October 2024, new family office applications were required to submit third-party background check reports issued by designated service providers.

From 1 January 2026, such assessments will instead be conducted directly by internal teams of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

This change brings several tangible benefits:

• Reduced risk of information leakage, as sensitive family member and asset information no longer needs to be disclosed to third-party service providers;
• Shorter overall approval timelines, with lower time costs and fewer additional expenses associated with external background checks.

While maintaining the same regulatory objectives, Singapore’s shift from external reviews to internal assessments reflects its confidence in a mature family office regulatory regime, as well as its strong commitment to protecting the privacy of high-net-worth families.

 

Clearer Implementation Guidelines Enhancing Both Flexibility and Certainty

 

 

Beyond process optimisation,  MAS has also clarified several operational details, providing clearer guidance for family office structuring and day-to-day operations, and further enhancing policy flexibility:

Substantially Expanded Criteria for Investment Professionals (IPs)

Family offices are required to employ at least two Investment Professionals (IPs), with at least one being a non-family member. An individual may qualify as an IP if any one of the following conditions is met:

1. Relevant Investment Experience

Including personal investment experience, or professional experience in roles such as portfolio management, investment research and analysis, trading, mergers and acquisitions, or other investment-related functions.

2. Academic or Professional Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in relevant fields such as accounting, finance, economics, business administration/management, or financial engineering; or
• A relevant diploma recognised in Singapore; or
• Internationally recognised professional certifications, such as CMFAS (Singapore) or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).

This broader definition significantly expands the talent pool, giving families greater flexibility to build teams with substantive investment capabilities at different stages of development.

Equity in Family Operating Businesses May Be Held Within Fund Structures

In response to a frequently asked question—whether family office funds may hold equity interests in family-owned operating businesses—MAS has provided a clear affirmative answer, while also setting out defined compliance boundaries:

1. Shareholding Ratio

Family office funds may hold such equity interests without any ownership cap.

2. AUM Calculation Rules

• Equity in family operating businesses does not count towards the minimum Assets Under Management (AUM) requirement
  (note: genuine private equity or venture capital investments are not regarded as family operating business equity);
• However, where such equity qualifies as a “designated investment”, it may be included in total AUM for the purpose of meeting requirements such as local business spending.

3. Relevant Restrictions

• Family office funds must not function as internal treasury or cash management platforms for operating companies;
• 13U funds must not be directly or indirectly owned by Singapore operating companies or corporate groups.

 

Ongoing Optimisation Ahead Providing Stable Policy Expectations

 

 

MAS further indicated that it will continue refining and enhancing family office tax incentive schemes throughout 2026.

This sends a clear signal:
Singapore’s support for family offices is not a short-term capital attraction strategy, but a long-term, systematic commitment aligned with its positioning as a global financial and wealth management hub.

For ultra-high-net-worth families focused on global asset allocation, long-term succession planning, and regulatory certainty, Singapore offers more than preferential policies—it provides a predictable, sustainable, and well-structured institutional environment.

The 2026 policy updates do not alter the core regulatory principles governing family offices. Instead, through process optimisation and clearer rules, they further enhance efficiency and certainty. This creates a stronger foundation for families to reassess the establishment of new family offices or adjust existing structures with greater confidence.

 

Conclusion

If you are planning to establish a family office in Singapore, or reviewing potential adjustments to your existing structure, we welcome you to contact SIG Global . Our team will tailor compliance-efficient and execution-ready solutions based on the latest policy developments, supporting the stable and sustainable operation of your family office.