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Asset Management

Frederick the Great and the euro crisis
Seven years have now passed since the credit boom started in 2005, which initially led to a fight for market share between the banks and, ultimately, a battle for their survival. Europe is, once again, in trouble. And Frederick the Great's covered bonds are the must-have fashion item among lenders desperate to preserve their capital.

Mike Foster

Nearly 250 years ago, in 1763, Europe’s great powers were in deep financial trouble, after fighting themselves to a standstill in the Seven Years’ War. Louis XV’s France, very much on the losing side, was set on a trajectory which led to financial crisis and revolution. Prussia’s Frederick the Great, with Britain, won the war. But that did not stop Federick worrying about the mountain of debt he had run up.

Is the demise of Swiss private banking gathering pace?
What was going on nearly 10 years ago represented the first indication that the health of Swiss private banking was beginning to suffer. The boom in between only covered up the widening fault lines.

David Bain

Back in the early noughties, two originally family-owned Swiss banks called Vontobel and Bank Sarasin sought outside shareholders to bolster their ailing balance sheets. Both banks had been hurt by the bursting of the tech bubble and needed new investors to get them through a tough period.

Financial goals lead to disconnect between wealthy and advisers
A disconnect is emerging between financial advisers and their high net worth clients, because of a lack of awareness about individual goals.

Attracta Mooney

A disconnect is emerging between financial advisers and their high net worth clients, because of a lack of awareness about individual goals. 

Talpion hedge fund to become family office
Henry Swieca is reportedly following the example of George Soros and turning his $500 million (€383.6 million) hedge fund Talpion Fund Management into a family office.

Attracta Mooney

Henry Swieca is reportedly following the example of George Soros and turning his $500 million (€383.6 million) hedge fund Talpion Fund Management into a family office. 

Switzerland's banks to lose billions on tax crackdown
A new study by consulting firm Booz & Co says that wealth managers in Switzerland could lose as much as €41 billion as a result of tax crackdowns by the UK and German governments.

Rashmi Kumar

A new study by consulting firm Booz & Co says that wealth managers in Switzerland could lose as much as €41 billion as a result of a tax crackdowns by the UK and German governments.

Forgive us our debts
Ancient Mesopotamia knew how to deal with bankers. Every time a new monarch ascended to the throne, he would order all outstanding debts to be forgiven: the slates on which loans were recorded were literally swept clean. This was bad news for the people who advanced loans, but a relief to the common people, happy to pledge loyalty to their new monarch by way of return.

Mike Foster

Ancient Mesopotamia knew how to deal with bankers. Every time a new monarch ascended to the throne, he would order all outstanding debts to be forgiven: the slates on which loans were recorded were literally swept clean.