On March 10, 2026, the Faculty of Finance at City University of Macao held a finance seminar at Golden Dragon Campus, Macao. The seminar featured Ms. Caron Zhao, Head of Private Wealth Management Department, Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) Macao Branch, was invited as the keynote speaker. The seminar focused on the theme "Wealth Management in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area". Distinguished guests included Associate Dean Eva Khong of the Faculty of Finance.

During the seminar, Ms. Zhao analyzed Macao's unique positioning and future potential in Greater Bay Area wealth management based on data. In 2024, the number of wealth management accounts in Macao's banking sector surpassed 550,000, with the market value of investment portfolios reaching MOP 252.1 billion. Resident-held overseas securities investments amounted to MOP 1.2 trillion. This indicates that private wealth accumulation in Macao has reached a considerable scale, and the demand for cross-border asset allocation is strong, revealing that Macao is gradually transforming from a World Tourism and Leisure Center into an "Honor Student" on the international capital stage. Ms. Zhao pointed out that the core mission of the ABC Macao Branch is to assist clients in achieving wealth "preservation and appreciation," "navigating economic cycles", and facilitating "efficient and compliant cross-border flows".

Ms. Zhao elaborated on the triple advantages of "Right Timing, Right Location, and Right Human Capital" enjoyed by Macao's wealth management market. In terms of policy, Macao's "Second Five-Year Plan", the "Master Plan of the Development of the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin", and the introduction of the "Trust Law", along with innovations in the "Investment Fund Law", provide a solid legal foundation for wealth management businesses. Additionally, following the launch of the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect 2.0, business scale has grown rapidly. Regarding market size, the data shows that Macao not only serves local residents but also acts as a bridgehead for mainland capital to "go global". As a platform, Macao's currency and cultural diversity, coupled with its advantages in connecting with Portuguese-speaking countries, give it unique value in the market. During the seminar, Ms. Zhao also pointed out that under policy frameworks such as the "Financial 30 Measures for GBA", "30 Articles on Hengqin Finance", and "Nansha Financial 30 Measures", QFLP (Qualified Foreign Limited Partner) and QDLP (Qualified Domestic Limited Partner) pilot schemes, as well as cross-border fund pools, are gradually being established, facilitating two-way capital flows. Concurrently, the wealth management industry is undergoing a transformation from a "sell-side agent" model to a "buy-side advisory" one. The application of AI technology is reshaping the industry landscape, and future talents will need "finance + technology" interdisciplinary skills. Furthermore, leveraging the advantages of its parent bank, Agricultural Bank of China Macao Branch is promoting a "Hengqin-Macao linkage model", exploring venture guarantee loans and family trust businesses to support Macao youth in starting businesses in the Greater Bay Area and provide more comprehensive wealth management solutions for cross-border business professionals. As the integration between Hengqin and Macao progresses from "physical connection" to "chemical fusion", more innovative pilot projects such as the "Qin-Macao Bond Connect" and QFLP/QDIE are expected to be implemented gradually. Ms. Zhao called on future finance professionals to maintain a "buy-side mindset", embrace technology, broaden their horizons, and become multi-skilled international talents international talents. She concluded by stating that although Macao is small, its stage is vast. As the "super connector" between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, the golden age of wealth management in Macao has only just begun.

During the Q&A session, students actively asked questions regarding opportunities in Macao's wealth management development and cross-border investment channels, with Ms. Zhao patiently answering each one. Faculty and students of the Finance Faculty once again thanked Ms. Zhao for her insightful sharing. This seminar provided students with a more comprehensive understanding of Macao's unique positioning within the Greater Bay Area's wealth management landscape, helping them grasp the current institutional advantages and development potential of Macao's financial market. Students expressed that interacting with industry professionals was highly beneficial and looked forward to more industry experiences.