Rates, inflation and AI emerge as key risks for global growth: Deutsche Bank Survey

Rising interest rates and bond yields are seen as the biggest threat to global economic growth by wealthy investors and family offices, while Asia is viewed as the most stable geopolitical region over the next year, a Deutsche Bank poll showed on Wednesday.Deutsche Bank Global Chief Investment Officer Christian Nolting surveyed the bank's Emerging Markets Family Office Forum 2026 in Singapore, which brought together around 200 family offices and wealthy individuals.Read more: Global Market Today: Asian stocks drop on inflation concerns, oil gainsAccording to the poll, 37% of respondents identified rates and yields as the biggest risk to global economic growth. Inflation was cited by 23%, while 17% viewed risks linked to artificial intelligence as the biggest threat.Asia emerged as the clear favourite in terms of geopolitical stability, with 73% of respondents expecting the region to remain the most stable over the next 12 months. The United States followed with 14%, while the UK and Europe were cited by 6% of respondents. Latin America and the Middle East accounted for 4% and 2%, respectively.Despite their preference for geopolitical stability in Asia, wealthy investors continue to favour the United States for capital allocation. About 54% of respondents said they planned to increase their investments in the U.S. over the next 12 months.Read more: US stocks: US market ends lower, off record highs, as Treasury yields climbAsia was the second-most preferred destination, with 30% planning to increase capital allocation to the region, while 11% expected to raise allocations to the UK and Europe.The findings underscore the balancing act facing global investors as they seek markets that can offer both stability and investment opportunities amid elevated borrowing costs, geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change.Reuters reported that Deutsche Bank said international families and family offices were increasingly seeking stability, risk-management strategies and greater global connectivity, with Singapore strengthening its position as a major global wealth centre.Deutsche Bank operates wealth-management businesses across 14 booking centres globally. Its private bank had assets under management of 732 billion euros ($819.77 billion) as of June 30.(Disclaimer: This article is based on inputs from agencies. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)