Vontobel is evolving into an internationally active, focused investment manager that will adopt an even more client-centric approach than before. It has set itself the goal of becoming the leading partner for external asset managers and family offices in Switzerland, Germany as well as in APAC, writes Georg von Wattenwyl.
Georg von Wattenwyl, CEO of Vontobel Singapore
Vontobel is set to become even more client-centric. It anticipates changes in client expectations and behavior: clients engage with Vontobel directly according to their needs which results in the growing demand for professional investment solutions and for individually tailored expert investment advice across all client groups.
The evolution into an even more client-focused financial institution that harnesses the power of technology to deliver customized client solutions is the logical next step based on Vontobel’s value proposition for clients. We are positioning ourselves exclusively on the side of our investment clients. Our goal is to give clients access to the best of our investment capabilities, technology, and services.
Rich Families
Wealth management services will also be provided via technology-driven, digital models to financial intermediaries like external asset managers, family offices and other variants. In this area, Vontobel has set itself the goal of becoming the leading partner in Switzerland, Germany, and – given the growth in assets under management is at its highest in the Asian region – APAC.
Rich families in Asia – and there have been many new additions in recent years – have different needs when it comes to managing their wealth. And, since they are increasingly deploying independent professional institutions such as family offices, we call this institutionalization. This is why the number of family offices is rising rapidly increasing the need for financial partners as we aim to be.
Three Reasons
I see three main reasons for the institutionalization: firstly, governance, which ensures that the whole personal situation such as family, occupation, any independent enterprises, long-term investments, and other private assets, as well as life planning and hereditary succession, are incorporated in the decisions and structuring of assets.
Secondly, the demands on risk management are higher nowadays. Besides the conventional market risks on the stock exchanges, geopolitical developments increasingly also have to be taken into account. However, there are not only risks but also interesting investment opportunities. Clients expect family offices to have such a good network that they encounter interesting, suitable investment possibilities in the bankable and non-bankable segment and exploit them within the context of sustainable performance.
The third reason is the clients’ specific circumstances, which must be taken into consideration when structuring and managing assets, especially when investing across borders.
Aligned Interests
Family offices work with partners. They choose the best solution for their clients based on the «best in class» approach and benefit from the fact that they are independent. Since the employees of family offices are mostly very well-versed investors, they look for direct access to experts when seeking partners. With our newly positioning ourselves exclusively on the side of our investment clients, our goal is to give clients access to the best of our investment capabilities, technology, and services.
Vontobel focuses primarily on the institutional investor segment, including family offices and independent asset managers. As a Swiss financial institution with a strong family involvement, Vontobel shares traditional values with family offices, such as family tradition, entrepreneurship, and stability.
