Rothschild & Co Wealth Management Switzerland is taking over the advisory firm Tenalis, which specializes in succession planning, inheritance distribution, real estate, and tax matters, according to a statement released on Tuesday.

The demand for succession solutions in Switzerland is rising sharply, with assets worth over 90 billion francs being passed on each year, writes the Swiss subsidiary of the French Rothschild bank. This market segment therefore offers attractive growth potential.

Expertise and Reputation

«We decided three and a half years ago to expand our Swiss onshore business,» says Andreas Feller, Head of Private Banking Zurich, in an interview with finews.com. «We already offer strong services in the area of retirement and vested benefits. The expertise and reputation of Tenalis perfectly complement our strengths and open up new opportunities for sustainable growth.»

Tenalis will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary, with no changes to personnel. The founder and current CEO, Jacqueline Schwarz-Mattes (pictured below), will remain at the helm of the company. No details regarding the purchase price were disclosed.

Jacqueline Schwarz-Mattes (Image: Tenalis)

The company’s team is entirely female, consisting of seven employees, some of whom work part-time. Including the founder, the team includes three lawyers.

«As an independent subsidiary, we remain autonomous and can continue to focus specifically on our areas of expertise and further develop them,» says Schwarz-Mattes. «This partnership creates real added value—both for our existing clients and for clients of Rothschild & Co Bank AG. We look forward to our shared future.»

Early Planning for Retirement and Inheritance

«A dedicated offering in this area was still missing,» Feller continues. «With this acquisition, we have overnight gained an established company with strong visibility. Tenalis has deep roots in German-speaking Switzerland and maintains excellent connections with notaries, trustees, lawyers, and other financial intermediaries.»

«Thanks to this acquisition, we can offer our clients even more comprehensive advice and better position ourselves in this growth field,» emphasizes Laurent Gagnebin, CEO of Rothschild & Co Bank. Comprehensive and early planning for retirement and inheritance aligns perfectly with the bank's long-term investment approach. «We are convinced that this service expansion will strongly support our growth ambitions in Switzerland.»