Matthias Jenzer, we are currently going through exciting times of change. How has the financial industry been evolving and what are your thoughts on current trends?

The financial industry had to adapt to a significant amount of new, complex regulatory demands over recent years. Banks have benefitted from a significant upswing in profitability during the past few years due to rising interest rates. We are near the peak of cycle earnings now. This means that cost management will become increasingly important. 

Looking ahead, we anticipate fewer new regulatory demands in the coming 1-2 years. We see this as a window of opportunity for ourselves to focus our efforts more on client servicing and innovation. 

Regarding the increasing importance of cost management, an opportunistic approach will be key: Newer technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence, offer great opportunities but require temporary significant investments. Associated risks brought about by these new technologies need to be carefully managed and smart investments will be crucial to stay competitive.

Concerning our industry’s core business – investing on behalf of clients – we see that private market investing has started to become more prominent amongst individual investors. Therefore, banks and asset managers need to upgrade their offering in this very special asset class to be able to deliver into this swiftly growing individual investor need.

What do you believe sets Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. apart, particularly in the realm of private markets?

Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. stands out in private markets investments due to our extensive history and track record in this domain. In 1932, Otto Federico Peter Bemberg set the milestone for the management of the extended Bemberg family’s wealth, who initially made their fortune from a beverage company established in 1888. Through our excellent network of relationships in the private market investment community, we are able to offer our clients access to a wide range of opportunities across private equity, private debt, and real estate markets. We continually identify attractive special opportunities within private markets, with a focus on private equity buyouts, secondary transactions, and distressed debt. To summarize, our expertise and network position us well to capitalize on these opportunities and distinguishes us from our competitors.

How does Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. position itself in the current, challenging environment?

Based on our roots, experience, and proven strengths, Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. strategically positions itself by focusing exclusively on servicing ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families with complex, non-standard needs. We steer clear of competing in the retail or affluent investor market, leaving that space to larger banks and asset managers.

In terms of client relationships, how do you ensure that Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. stays ahead in understanding and meeting the evolving needs of ultra-high-net-worth individuals?

UHNW individuals have been at the core of our client base for decades. Face-to-face meetings in our offices play a pivotal role in sensing and catering to their needs and demands. By staying closely connected with our clients, we can adapt our services to meet their evolving requirements effectively.

Finally, Matthias Jenzer, what innovations or advancements can clients expect from Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. going forward?

Clients can expect Quilvest (Switzerland) Ltd. to continue upgrading the digital handling of the administrative part of client servicing to enhance efficiency and convenience for clients. We will continue to further enhance portfolio reporting for clients, particularly concerning their private market investments, to provide them with comprehensive, holistic insights. Additionally, we will focus on further improving our e-banking and mobile app offerings, potentially incorporating artificial intelligence-based technologies to enhance user experience and efficiency. These advancements align with our commitment to delivering innovative solutions which meet the evolving needs of our clients.