Why is the Swiss market important for Oddo BHF, if you can win European clients from Germany or France?

Switzerland isn't just attractive due to its political neutrality, stability, and significance of the Swiss franc. We want to be a competent and reliable bank and further out a leading one for entrepreneurs and mid-sized company owners.

«Switzerland is our third market»

Switzerland shares Germany's very strong and established mid-sized company landscape, and has a long tradition of entrepreneurial families. These are the kind of sophisticated clients in France and Germany whose needs we understand. As a family-led banking group, we think and act very similarly: innovative, long-term, responsibly, and with clients' interest in focus. We are looking forward to getting to know Swiss entrepreneurial families better.

The Swiss market is our third, after France and Germany. We feel connected to a multicultural country like Switzerland, which borders both our main markets. Our goal is to build bridges for companies to Germany and France, and from there into Switzerland too.

Who is your target client?

Swiss companies, entrepreneurs, and their families. Equally French and German investors who want to invest in Switzerland for strategic reasons. And of course the countless family offices and independent wealth managers who want to use our services.

«Client advice begins with Philippe Oddo himself»

Our multi-family office is an interesting partner for clients who think across Europe and who appreciate services like strategic advice, asset allocation, or succession issues.Our client advice begins with managing partner Philippe Oddo himself and includes all of top management. We're looking for the way to the client, directly or individually, primarily to cooperate and add value in the long term. 

What are your quantitative targets in the Swiss market?

We want to grow considerably – the opportunity is there. And become an interesting address for the best talents. We've had a lot of favorable buzz since the acquisition.

What initiatives do you have planned, and what about hiring?

The educational standard in finance, in the luxury and precision industries ensures that the Swiss market is full of talent and skills. Beyond that, Switzerland is multicultural and -lingual, which is valuable in a globalized financial world.

«We want to hire seasoned acquirers as well as young talent»

Having German and French as a common native language is a perfect fit for us. Besides seasoned acquirers, we want to attract younger talent at the bank. They have the chance to help shape our future in Switzerland and will be part of a banking group with the ambition to become a leading family-owned European private bank.

Will you keep all three Swiss offices?

Yes, we'll keep Zurich, Lausanne, and Geneva.

How is the pandemic complicating your business?

It's a challenging time personally as well as professionally for everyone. We demonstrated in the first wave that we can still do a good job looking after our clients with nearly 90 percent of our staff working from home. 

«We're open to more Swiss acquisitions»

We're looking back at very high net new inflows through September and a very good result – that shows the energy our staff put into working proactively for our clients and non-clients.

Are you looking for more takeovers in Switzerland?

We're open to that. If we see an opportunity that makes strategic and economic sense, we'll take it. 

Joachim Haeger has overseen private wealth management at Franco-German Oddo BHF since 2016. A member of top management, he also presides over Oddo BHF's subsidiary in Switzerland. He worked for Deutsche Bank for 25 years previously in various wealth management roles. The German native studied economics in Trier.