About Us
About Para Bellum Advisors
Strategic Firepower. Trusted Execution
We equip financial institutions with the insight, structure, and tactical precision to thrive in complex markets.
Our Story
Si vis pacem, para bellum
“If you want peace, prepare for war.”
Mike Duncan founded Para Bellum Advisors with a clear mission: to provide elite financial institutions with the strategic intelligence and tactical expertise needed to navigate increasingly complex markets.
Drawing from decades of experience across global financial centres, our team brings battle-tested insights to every engagement. We believe that true strategic advantage comes from structured thinking, disciplined execution, and the courage to challenge conventional wisdom.
Our name, Para Bellum, reflects our philosophy. Institutions must be prepared for all scenarios in today’s financial landscape, especially the most challenging ones. We help our clients build resilience while identifying opportunities that others miss.
Our Mission
To deliver independent, actionable financial markets advisory that empowers institutions to navigate complexity, optimise outcomes, and build lasting strategic advantage.
Our Values
Integrity
We maintain unwavering ethical standards and independence in all our advisory work.
Partnership
We build deep, trusted client relationships focused on long-term success.
Innovation
We challenge conventional thinking to develop novel solutions for complex challenges.
Resilience
Future-proofing clients for uncertainty and change.
Excellence
We deliver exceptional quality in every aspect of our work, without compromise
Our Focus
Strategic Advisory in Markets and Derivatives. Para Bellum is your trusted partner in navigating financial complexity with precision and foresight, from derivative solutions to trading infrastructure.
Founder
Mike Duncan is a seasoned financial market professional with over 30 years of experience in markets and derivatives, including trading, structuring, risk and portfolio management. He has held senior roles at global banks, insurers, and investment firms, delivering bespoke trading and structured solutions to clients across the Asia-Pacific region.
At Para Bellum Advisors, Mike brings his deep market expertise, strategic insight, and hands-on approach to help institutions navigate complex market challenges, optimise risk and capital, and unlock value through tailored solutions and transaction-based advisory.
Mike holds a BCom from the University of Otago, an MAppFin and an MBA from Macquarie University and a FlexiMasters in Financial Technology at Nanyang Technological University. He has also earned an executive certificate in Sustainable Investments from Harvard Business School.
Based in Singapore, Mike combines frontline experience with a commitment to integrity, innovation, and client outcomes.
Why Para Bellum Advisors?
Specialist Expertise. Real-World Impact.
At Para Bellum Advisors, we don’t just advise – we solve.
With over 30 years of frontline experience in global markets, derivatives structuring, and portfolio risk management, we bring hands-on expertise that goes beyond theory.
We understand what works, because we’ve done it.
Why choose Para Bellum?
Independent and Unbiased
No hidden agendas. No product pushing. Just your best interests, front and centre.
Specialist Focus
We live and breathe complex markets, structuring, and risk solutions – it’s not a side offering, it’s our core business.
Actionable Solutions
Advice without execution is just theory. We deliver pragmatic, real-world strategies you can implement immediately.
Flexible Engagement Models
From project-based advice to fractional or retained specialist support – we fit your needs, not the other way around.
Confidential and Trusted
Sensitive projects require discretion and care. We treat your business as if it were our own.
Para Bellum Advisors brings the precision, experience, and flexibility that today’s institutional and sophisticated clients need to stay ahead.