Switzerland is a global hub for wealth management. Families often hold assets across multiple jurisdictions, with heirs living abroad. This creates complex questions of tax residency, inheritance laws, and regulatory reporting. Wealth managers here are not only preserving capital but also orchestrating multi-jurisdiction wealth transfers: a task that will intensify as the generational shift accelerates.
The upcoming generation of heirs brings new priorities.
They expect:
These expectations apply whether wealth is transferred in Zurich, London, or New York.
1.Engage heirs early: Build relationships before the transfer takes place, with education and joint family planning.
2.Simplify cross-border operations: Onboarding, compliance, and reporting must adapt seamlessly to multi-country realities.
3.Invest in modern reporting: Next-gen clients want clarity and personalization: not static reports.
Meeting these expectations requires more than personal advice. It requires a platform that can integrate data across jurisdictions, deliver personalized insights, and adapt as regulations evolve.
As the new generation grew up with technology and is generally more tech-savvy, there are expectations to be upheld also in the way their wealth is being managed. There are plenty of tools that help support wealth managers, family offices and asset managers today, such as etops Wealth Discovery. By consolidating client portfolios, streamlining reporting, and providing flexibility for multi-generational servicing, they enable firms to meet client demands today, and stay ready for tomorrow.
The Great Wealth Transfer is global, and Switzerland sits at the center of it. Firms that prepare now, by combining trusted advice with robust technology, will secure relationships across generations. Those that don’t risk watching assets and heirs move elsewhere.
