Singapore-based wealth management firm WRISE has appointed former Bank of Singapore chief executive Bahren Shaari as senior advisor to its group executive committee, strengthening its leadership team as it expands its presence across Asia.
The appointment brings Shaari back together with WRISE Group CEO Derrick Tan, who described the veteran banker as a longtime mentor and a key influence throughout his career.
"Twenty-one years ago, Bahren Shaari became my mentor. Today, I'm welcoming him to WRISE," Tan said in a post on LinkedIn.
He added that Shaari had served as "a sounding board, a steady hand, and the person whose judgment I've reached for before some of the biggest decisions of my career."
Shaari brings more than three decades of experience in private banking and wealth management. He spent 14 years at Bank of Singapore, serving as chief executive from February 2015 until his retirement in December 2022.
During his tenure, the bank's assets under management grew from US$51.1 billion in 2015 to more than US$110 billion in 2022, according to industry reports.
Before joining Bank of Singapore, Shaari spent 12 years at UBS, where he held several senior leadership roles, including managing director of wealth management and head of Southeast Asia and Australia. He was also part of the management team at ING Asia Private Bank before its acquisition by OCBC, which led to the formation of Bank of Singapore in 2009.
Beyond banking, Shaari currently serves on the boards of the National University of Singapore and SPH Media. He was also an independent director at SPH Holdings for nearly 11 years.
Founded in 2022 by former Bank of Singapore executive Derrick Tan, WRISE has positioned itself as an independent wealth management platform focused on serving ultra-high-net-worth clients.
The company has expanded rapidly across the region, establishing operations in Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Thailand, while also opening a client service centre in Taiwan.
The latest appointment comes as WRISE accelerates its growth strategy. In March 2025, the firm appointed former VP Bank Group chief executive Paul Arni as a non-executive director to strengthen corporate governance and support its expansion plans.
More recently, WRISE announced a HK$30 million investment to develop AI-native wealth management capabilities through the launch of WRISE AI Labs and the appointment of chief scientist Jeffrey Wu.
The company has also pursued regional expansion through new partnerships and market entries, including a strategic alliance with Thailand-based advisory firm IFCG and the launch of a new client service centre in Taipei.
Shaari's appointment is expected to further strengthen WRISE's leadership as the firm seeks to expand its footprint in Asia's increasingly competitive private wealth management sector.