Switzerland Wealth Management – High Net Worth (HNW) Investors

Switzerland Wealth Management Report Overview

The Swiss wealth market is very mature compared to other markets across Europe. This is reflected in the demographic makeup of the local HNW community, the majority of whom are approaching or have already reached retirement age. Consequently, wealth preservation strategies will resonate strongly with this segment of the market, and wealth managers need to prepare for a heightened level of possible wealth transfers.

The Switzerland wealth management market report analyzes the investment preferences, service requirements, and portfolio allocation of Switzerland’s HNW investors. The report is based on GlobalData’s proprietary Global Wealth Managers Survey.

Switzerland Wealth Management Market Dynamics

The proportion of under-50s within the current population of women in Switzerland’s HNW population is growing. Relatively young, female Swiss HNW individuals represent a small but growing market opportunity for wealth managers. This can be attributed to increased efforts to improve gender diversity among senior professionals. Hence, a crucial growth imperative for wealth advisors will be attracting and retaining female customers by creating a winning value proposition.

The vast majority of HNW individuals in Switzerland have accumulated their wealth through earned income. Meanwhile, fewer than one in five have amassed their wealth through entrepreneurship. However, considering the often more complex needs of entrepreneurs, wealth managers that can cater to this segment’s financial needs (both private and business) will find entrepreneurs more lucrative than professionals.

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Switzerland Wealth Management Market - Investment Preferences

The key investment preferences in the Switzerland wealth management market are advisory asset management, automated investment services, discretionary asset management, and execution-only asset management. Execution-only mandates have the highest current demand in Switzerland. They are also forecast to witness the highest increase in demand over the next 12 months, followed by advisory mandates. With many Swiss HNW individuals employed in the financial services industry, investors tend to have good knowledge of capital markets and investment matters.

Discretionary mandates are also set to experience increased demand over the forecast period. That is beneficial for wealth managers as these mandates have a high fee-earning potential. This preference will also help the leading brands, including UBS and Julius Baer, which have targeted growth in these mandates.

Switzerland Wealth Management Market - Reasons for Expatriation for HNW Investors

The drivers of expatriation to Switzerland are better lifestyle conditions, better opportunities for expats’ children, business start-ups, job transfer, and political or economic instability in the origin country, among others. Better lifestyle conditions and better opportunities for expats’ children act as the main expatriation factors. While Switzerland has some challenges in terms of how the expats feel they are regarded by local people, lifestyle quality in the country is extremely high regarding housing, infrastructure, the legal system, and healthcare.

Switzerland Wealth Management Market Analysis by Reasons for Expatriation, 2022 (%)

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Switzerland Wealth Management Market - Asset Allocation Classes

The major asset allocation classes for HNW investors in the Switzerland wealth management market include equity, bonds, cash and near-cash, real estate, commodities, and alternatives. Equity funds are in strong demand among Swiss HNW investors. In 2022, higher inflation amid slower growth had wealth managers and investors scrambling to inflation-proof portfolios. Heightened volatility because of macroeconomic and political forces have caused investors to take a more defensive stance. In 2022, Switzerland’s flagship index—the SMI—declined, resulting in HNW investors considering adjusting their exposure to equities in 2023.

Switzerland Wealth Management Market by Asset Allocation Classes, 2022 (%)

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Switzerland Wealth Management Market Asset Classes Outlook (2022)

• Equity
• Bonds
• Cash and Near Cash
• Real Estate
• Commodities
• Alternatives

Scope

• Expats constitute 23.2% of the local HNW population. They represent an attractive target market thanks to their more complex service requirements.
• Robo-advice accounts for just 7.4% of the Swiss HNW portfolio. Robo-advisory services are at a very nascent stage of development in the HNW space in Switzerland, but they are slowly gaining traction.
• The average Swiss HNW investor offshores 34.8% of their wealth abroad. This proportion is expected to increase over the next 12 months, indicating that many HNW investors are uncertain about the country’s economic recovery.

Key Highlights

• Expats constitute more than 23% of the local HNW population. They represent an attractive target market thanks to their more complex service requirements.
• Robo-advice accounts for a little more than 7% of the Swiss HNW portfolio. Robo-advisory services are at a very nascent stage of development in the HNW space in Switzerland, but they are slowly gaining traction.
• The average Swiss HNW investor offshores 34.8% of their wealth abroad. This proportion is expected to increase over the next 12 months, indicating that many HNW investors are uncertain about the country’s economic recovery.

Reasons to Buy

• Develop and enhance your client targeting strategies using our data on HNW profiles and sources of wealth.
• Enhance your marketing strategies and capture new clients using insights from our data on HNW investors’ asset management style preferences.
• Tailor your investment product portfolio to match current and future demand for different asset classes among HNW individuals.