High‑net‑worth individuals in Hong Kong hold at least HK$10 million in liquid assets by the age of 39 on average and amassed wealth at a rapid pace, according to the results of a survey released by HSBC on Friday.

From their first HK$1 million to HK$10 million, it took them an average of about eight years to reach the new milestone, the HSBC Affluent Survey showed.

The bank conducted the survey in November, polling 2,018 respondents aged between 25 and 64, with more than half of them holding at least HK$1 million in liquid assets.

The survey found the majority of these individuals were self made, with nearly 70 percent of them accumulating wealth through investments, business profit, interest earnings and rental incomes.

They were more likely to allocate a larger share of their portfolios to higher‑return vehicles such as equities, mutual funds and protection products.

Compared with their less‑wealthy peers, they also showed a stronger appetite for alternative assets that promised enhanced returns and a lower correlation with traditional markets, the survey showed.

A striking 90 percent of the respondents also say they are actively planning for cross‑generational wealth transfer, with a particular focus on passing on assets to grandchildren.

"These insights align with what we see among our clients, who prioritise strategic asset allocation, diversification and long-term planning,” said Brian Hui, chief customer officer for retail banking and wealth at HSBC Hong Kong.

The survey also showed the high-net-worth individuals had cut back on reliance on property rental income and that the “cash is king” mindset had also receded following the stock market rebound.

Interest in innovative sectors had also become strong, with over 60 percent of respondents investing or planning to do so in artificial intelligence within five years.