A major challenge for wealth management
In a world where digitalisation is transforming every aspect of our daily lives, the wealth management sector faces a dual challenge: integrating new technologies while preserving the essence of a personalised service. While technology offers unprecedented opportunities in terms of automation, access to information and transactional fluidity, it cannot replace the relationship of trust that unites a Client with their manager. The real challenge for private banks and wealth managers is therefore to take advantage of technological advances without losing sight of the importance of human relationships and in-depth knowledge of the specific needs of each investor.
Digitalisation, an asset for a customised management
Far from being a threat to wealth management, digitalisation becomes a strategic lever when it is seen as a complementary tool designed to streamline and enrich the client experience. Its advantages include:
Real-time access to investments: digital platforms allow clients to monitor their assets, carry out stock market transactions, analyse their performance and consult detailed reports at any time. More than two-thirds of private investors are said to use digital platforms to manage their finances.
Optimisation of transactions: making an international transfer, stock market transaction or QR code payment is now as simple as a click. A trend reinforced by the digitalisation of the Swiss banking system, where more than 80% of banking transactions are now carried out online, according to the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI).
Greater security of exchanges: encrypted solutions guarantee absolute confidentiality, a crucial aspect in a country where the protection of banking data remains a priority.
Intelligent automation: by reducing the administrative burden on managers, it allows them to focus on their primary mission: advising and providing strategic support to clients.
Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis are transforming the way wealth managers anticipate market trends. Advanced algorithms make it possible to identify investment opportunities more quickly and with greater precision. In Switzerland, the adoption of AI technologies in the banking sector is growing strongly, despite the challenge this represents in terms of risk management and regulatory compliance. In fact, the number of banks implementing AI solutions tripled in 2024 according to EY's 2025 Banking Barometer.
The human touch at the heart of the client experience
While digital tools improve accessibility and transparency, they cannot replace the intuition and expertise of an experienced advisor. Indeed, understanding the deep aspirations of the client remains essential, because a good manager does not simply optimise a portfolio, but takes into account the values, ambitions and wealth issues of each investor.
Creating a close relationship is fundamental, because in times of crisis or uncertainty, clients are looking for human dialogue, tailored advice and reassuring support. According to a 2024 study, 75% of investors turn to their professional financial advisors for major decisions.
Anticipating and supporting future generations is more than ever at the heart of the banking profession. Intergenerational transmission, financial education for the younger generations and philanthropic choices require a personalised educational approach.
Finding the right balance between tradition and modernity
Digitalisation is not a passing trend; it is part of a structural evolution that affects both new assets (private equity, cryptocurrencies, tokenised assets) and investor expectations. The emergence of tokenisation, for example, provides access to asset classes that were previously reserved for a limited circle of investors, while offering greater transparency and better liquidity. This transformation of the Swiss financial market illustrates the need to adopt innovative solutions while preserving the fundamentals of wealth management.
According to the latest figures published by KPMG, Swiss private banks manage more than three trillion Swiss francs in assets under management, emphasising the importance of a management approach focused on excellence and adaptability.
Digitalisation and excellence, an essential synergy
Far from being a forced transformation, digitalisation represents a unique opportunity to enrich the client experience and optimise asset management.
The age of ‘phygital’ is here: an intelligent fusion of the human and the digital, where the client experience becomes more fluid, more responsive and ever more tailored to the expectations of investors, while retaining the unchanging fundamentals of trust, expertise and excellent personalised service. With the rapid evolution of client expectations and technologies, financial institutions must continually innovate to maintain their competitiveness in the international market.
