SKN | BNP Paribas Expands Philanthropy Platform in Asia with New Donor-Advised Fund Structure

Takeaways

• BNP Paribas Wealth Management has launched a Singapore-based donor-advised fund platform targeting Asian HNWIs and entrepreneurs.

• The structure emphasizes governance, compliance, and advisory flexibility within a regulated framework.

• The move reflects growing demand for structured, legacy-focused philanthropy across Asia’s wealth corridors.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management has strengthened its philanthropy offering in Asia with the launch of a new donor-advised fund (DAF) platform, branded the “BNP Paribas Bridge Foundation.” The initiative is designed to serve Asian entrepreneurs, affluent families, and business owners seeking structured and compliant philanthropic solutions.

The platform is established within Singapore’s legal and financial framework, positioning it inside one of Asia’s most stable and globally connected wealth hubs. Governance oversight is provided by a board composed of internal and external specialists with expertise in philanthropy, impact investing, and the regional charitable landscape.

Structured Giving in a Regulated Environment

A donor-advised fund allows clients to contribute assets into a dedicated philanthropic vehicle while retaining advisory rights over how grants are distributed. The structure can provide administrative efficiency and potential tax advantages, depending on jurisdiction, while ensuring regulatory alignment.

For wealth management clients, DAF platforms increasingly serve as an intermediate step between informal charitable giving and the creation of a standalone private foundation. They offer scalability, operational support, and governance standards that appeal to families focused on long-term legacy.

Asia’s Philanthropy Shift: From Wealth Creation to Wealth Purpose

The launch reflects a broader shift across Asia’s high-net-worth landscape. As first-generation entrepreneurs transition toward succession planning, philanthropy is becoming embedded within wealth strategy rather than treated as an afterthought.

Arnaud Tellier, CEO of BNP Paribas Wealth Management Asia-Pacific, highlighted that the initiative responds to rising client demand for secure, efficient, and compliant philanthropic vehicles. The Bridge Foundation aims to integrate charitable planning with broader wealth structuring, estate considerations, and cross-border advisory.

Strategic Implications for Wealth Management

For BNP Paribas, the platform strengthens its advisory positioning in Asia’s competitive private banking environment. Beyond investment performance, clients increasingly evaluate banks on governance capabilities, cross-border structuring expertise, and value-added services such as philanthropy and impact investing.

Singapore’s regulatory clarity and reputation for financial stability provide an additional layer of comfort for clients deploying capital into structured giving vehicles.

The Bridge Foundation signals that philanthropy is no longer peripheral to private banking in Asia—it is becoming central to legacy conversations, intergenerational planning, and reputational stewardship.

Confidential advisory note: For a confidential discussion on structuring donor-advised funds, cross-border philanthropic governance, and integrating impact strategies within a global wealth framework, contact our senior advisory team.