A former exec of a Swiss private bank offers his insights into the country's wealth management business and what innovations could redefine it
Gregg Robins, most recently head of UBS private banking in Russia, gives front-row insight on his industry's recent challenges but believes more of a Branson-Jobs mentality could shape its future
John Ndege
Great historical overview and a look forward to what must come.
The Jobs-Branson mentality would serve wealth management well. Notice that it is not about technology for technology’s sake but it is about empowering people. Apps like Wealthfront help people invest their money and they represent the future in many regards but it cannot do some of the complex tasks that requires face to face advice.
There is a lot of talk about services like Wealthfront or Vanguard eroding the adviser industry. This might be the case. In which case advisers much demonstrate their worth. They must be more than simple asset allocators.
Related Moves
UBS bets its 'wealth' future on ex-Schwabbie Naureen Hassan, a corporate digital A-lister, who analysts give a fighting chance to transcend PaineWebber's ossified culture
Still a $2-billion cash-flow cow, the Swiss bank's 6,000-broker, US-based wirehouse is milking aging broker relationships with aging investors but needs a new kind of human presence, empathy, mindset and smarts to draw in Gen Z.
July 16, 2022 at 1:35 AM
Wealthfront cedes to four years of investors clamoring for crypto by taking on expensive third-party vendor that Betterment rules out
The Redwood City, Calif., robo-advisor turned a hard 'no' into a soft 'yes' by dealing with Grayscale and its 200 basis-point-plus fees, which its robo rival in NYC -- also without a crypto path -- finds ludicrous.
August 14, 2021 at 2:20 AM
Wealthfront's unlikely tapping of Sheila Bair and Tom Curry signals likely push to gain a bank charter, analysts say
The Redwood City robo-advisor's addition of two renowned former chief banking regulators brings legitimacy and guidance that could lead to a margin-fattening bank charter and help solve the robo-advisor's problem of high client acquisition costs.
December 31, 2020 at 4:37 AM
Oisín's Bits: Wealthfront drops old mission statement, declares war on institutions and emphasizes banking future • Seeking Utah charter, Edward Jones may become largest bank in US by branch count • After Advent chief leaves, Black Diamond head steps up
Andy Rachleff cans the old 'democratizing' mission statement at his robo; The 14,200 one-man Ed Jones branches may become branch banks; Steve Leivent consolidates power at SS&C.
July 3, 2020 at 1:12 AM
Wealthfront
Portfolio Management System
Top Executive: Andy Rachleff
