Focusing on the holistic needs of wholesale banking clients

Following the takeover of Credit Suisse by UBS, we could see Swiss financial regulators increasing scrutiny on the sector and pushing for higher capital levels for systemic relevant banks, despite capital requirements are already among the most stringent globally.

Paired with the fact that the combined entity made strategic moves to streamline its operations for certain products and client groups, we could observe foreign institutions and other larger domestic players increasing their footprint with Swiss domestic corporate and institutional clients.

Given the high level of sophistication of its workforce and the overall attractiveness of Switzerland as a country, I am strongly convinced that, despite the demise of Credit Suisse, the Swiss financial institutions sector should continue to strive.

As mentioned above, foreign banks increasing their investments in the Swiss market. This has been done so far mostly via recruitments of teams, but with an increasing cost pressure and a more unfavorable interest rate environment, M&A should be back on the map as well.

The Swiss Insurance sector, with its high productivity and important value-add for the Swiss economy, is very mature in nature. Nevertheless, technological advances in form of an increased focus to digitize processes to improve client journeys and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance underwriting and to streamline operational tasks, should continue to shape the industry. In a more domestic context, also topics like the strong increase in health claims and the eroding incomes in motor need to be addressed.

Another important sub-sector is the asset management industry, which on a global scale was significantly challenged over the last decade by the rise of ETFs and private markets players. Hence, also within the Swiss market we could experience a bifurcation, pushing institutions to go passive and for size or focusing on high-alpha generating strategies, which often was achieved in private markets.

I expect this trend to persist, while the rise of strong specialized Swiss managers, proved once again the high competitiveness of this export focused industry.

ING Switzerland is a leading financial institution in the country for 40 years, focusing on wholesale banking clients’ holistic financial needs. Historically, ING held top positions in financing physical commodity traders and constantly grew its Swiss corporate and financial institutions business.

The dedication to the domestic onshore business with Swiss corporates and financial institutions has been further intensified over the last years and is fully embedded with ING’s global strategy, aiming to provide an even more balanced business mix for ING Switzerland.

ING’s dedicated sector focus and balance sheet strength, paired with its fully-fledged lending and financial markets capabilities will allow us to support our Swiss clients in transformational M&A through advice and financial support, as well as in accessing international capital markets to raise capital and long-term funding.

Furthermore, ING’s unique international network and vast experience in transaction services should act as a key enabler for our Swiss financial institutions’ clients in their activities abroad, allowing them to use a safe pair of hands across the globe. 

Above mentioned strengths make us not only very relevant to banks, insurance companies and traditional asset managers, but also to Private Capital managers, which benefit among others from our leading global structured finance franchise, be it in Energy, Real Estate or Infrastructure.