Challenges

Challenges

The purpose of the Swiss Open Wealth Association (SOWA) is to find ideas and business models for the new wealth management in order to establish the Swiss financial center as a new wealth leader globally. This is done by gaining and sharing new insights and implementing initiatives through the community.

We are convinced that…

  • The traditional wealth management business model can remain successful in the medium term, but is coming under pressure. 

  • To remain relevant in the future, it needs a clear specialized positioning (e.g. investing) and a broad offering, beyond today’s understanding of wealth.

  • For traditional companies (banks) that already have a strong customer base, building a horizontal platform is only possible through collaborations.

  • Customer trust is the most valuable asset to bring in.

  • Building a horizontal platform and scaling accordingly (GAFA as competitors) will best succeed through collaboration with the best per service.

Focus & Breadth

Focus & Breadth​

In order to remain competitive as a wealth manager, it is necessary to build a new wealth business model.
Lifestyle & Individualization

Lifestyle & Individualization​

Customers are redefining wealth and want to be served holistically according to their individual lifestyle.

We are convinced that…

  • The basic need for security will not change, but the perception of what gives security will.

  • The value system (except for the basic values) is changing faster and faster.

  • What wealth means to people varies from culture to culture, and this must be taken into account to a greater extent.

  • Wealth cannot be viewed one-dimensionally as financial advice.

  • Additional topics such as social impact (sustainability), saving time and health as well as easy and convenient access to new services must be secured. This is becoming increasingly important and is part of the redefining Wealth.

  • In the future, customers will expect a comprehensive “wealth offering” that covers all their needs in terms of their understanding of wealth (360 degrees).

We are convinced that…

  • The basic need for security will not change, but the perception of what gives security will.

  • The value system (except for the basic values) is changing faster and faster.

  • What wealth means to people varies from culture to culture, and this must be taken into account to a greater extent.

  • Wealth cannot be viewed one-dimensionally as financial advice.

  • Additional topics such as social impact (sustainability), saving time and health as well as easy and convenient access to new services must be secured. This is becoming increasingly important and is part of the redefining Wealth.

  • In the future, customers will expect a comprehensive “wealth offering” that covers all their needs in terms of their understanding of wealth (360 degrees).

We are convinced that…

  • We live in a VUCA world (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity). 
  • We have to adjust/align the organization of the companies to the constantly changing environment.
    (This needs a rethinking in the company organization, culture).
Speed & Adaptability

Speed & Adaptability​

It will be elementary to be able to adapt to the rapid and constant changes in the market at any time, while at the same time reliably providing the existing services.
Technology

Technology

Technology allows individual offers and integrations of different service providers on diverse platforms.

We are convinced that…

  • New technology will also provide an almost optimal sense of security. 

  • The technology will achieve the desired individualization through the analysis and networking of data. 

  • In order to meet the demand for individualization, a disaggregation of the value chain (unbundling) will take place through the possibilities of technology. 

  • In the future, customers will basically be able to find the best individualized offers on the Internet themselves.

We are convinced that…

  • New technology will also provide an almost optimal sense of security. 

  • The technology will achieve the desired individualization through the analysis and networking of data. 

  • In order to meet the demand for individualization, a disaggregation of the value chain (unbundling) will take place through the possibilities of technology. 

  • In the future, customers will basically be able to find the best individualized offers on the Internet themselves.