Traditional private banking

Digital Transformation in Private Banking: Cost Efficiencies, Growth, Client Experience

Private banks, traditionally focused on personalized services for HNWIs, face the challenge of digital transformation. This shift promises cost efficiencies, growth, and enhanced client experiences. Digitalization can streamline operations, reduce costs, and optimize resources, while also enabling growth through new digital services and global reach. Moreover, it enhances client experience by offering personalized, accessible, and secure services. However, achieving these benefits requires a comprehensive strategy that integrates cost management, innovation, and client-centric solutions. Successful digital transformation will allow private banks to enhance performance and strengthen client relationships, securing their future in a competitive landscape.

NextGen wealth management clients

Social Media and Wealth Management: Servicing NextGen Wealthy Clients

Digital transformation has significantly reshaped all banking sectors, transforming traditional banking practices into dynamic, technology-driven services. Social media’s integration into banking has been one of the more recent changes, offering new avenues for client engagement, marketing, and service delivery. For Swiss wealth management banks, known for their discretion and reliability, adapting to this digital shift has become crucial, especially with the emergence of a new generation of wealthy clients: the so-called NextGen.

Forbes 400

Forbes 400 List: U.S: UHNWI Wealth Creation (1990-2020)

The landscape of wealth management for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI) continues to evolve, as highlighted by the Forbes 400 list of wealthiest individuals living in the USA. A recent article has analyzed the Forbes 400 list back to 1990 to determine the source of wealth creation across industries.

In this blog post, I will review this article and highlight what I believe Swiss wealth management banks should do to maintain their relevance and leadership. In sum, I will argue that Swiss wealth management banks should focus on understanding the primary sources of wealth creation among UHNWI, adapt to their evolving needs by embracing technology and digital transformation, expand and diversify their asset management services, and maintain personalized wealth management while ensuring robust regulatory and compliance frameworks.

Peter Raskin

ZHAW Wealth Management Podcast #5: Dr. Peter Raskin (Bergos Privatbank)

In diesem exklusiven Interview spricht Dr. Peter Raskin, CEO der Bergos Privatbank in Zürich, mit unserem Dr. Christoph Künzle, Dozent für Banking & Finance an der ZHAW.

Das Expertengespräch beleuchtet die strategischen Ausrichtungen und Herausforderungen der Bergos, einer führenden “Unternehmerbank” mit besonderen Angeboten für die NextGen. Dr. Raskin, der als Miteigentümer die operativen Geschicke der Bank führt, gibt Einblicke in die Herkunft und Ausrichtung der Bank, die Vision und deren Zielkunden und -märkte. Auch bespricht er verschiedene Aspekte und Vor- und Nachteile der digitalen Kundenberatung und äussert sich zur Zukunft des Finanzplatzes Schweiz.

Ein Muss für alle, die sich für die Zukunft des Schweizer und internationalen Private Banking interessieren!

Adrian Kuenzi

ZHAW Wealth Management Podcast #4: Adrian Kuenzi, Union Bancaire Privée (UBP)

In this interview Chris Künzle, Senior Lecturer for Banking and Finance at ZHAW, engages with Adrian Kuenzi, CEO of Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) in Zurich.

They begin by introducing Adrian Künzi and his journey to becoming CEO. Adrian then provides an overview of UBP, highlighting its USP, wealthy international clientele, and the significance of their prestigious Bahnhofstrasse 1 headquarters in Zurich.

The conversation delves deeper into private markets, discussing UBP’s broad offerings, the current client demand, especially considering the impact of rising interest rates. Adrian also explains UBP’s approach to managing offshore clients and their specific service model tailored to this demanding segment. Adrian shares insights into UBP’s strategic directions and plans for future growth, emphasizing key areas of focus. The two experts explore the attractiveness of Switzerland for new money from offshore locations, the implications of economic and geopolitical turmoil, and potential new focus markets for UBP. The interview concludes with Adrian expressing his top wish for the Swiss financial center, offering a thoughtful perspective on the future of the industry.

FinTech partnership

FinTech Partnerships for Wealth Management Banks?

A recent journal article has reviewed the current state and future direction of the FinTech landscape, mainly focusing on the retail banking space. While many retail banks around the world have partnered with FinTech companies to enhance their services, I believe the question of partnering with FinTech companies is more complex for wealth management banks. With this blog post, I will explore opportunities and challenges for wealth management in partnering with FinTechs, focusing on how these partnerships may benefit HNWI clients and addressing concerns about value chain integration.