News
12.11.2019

Hong Kong-Swiss Financial Seminar: focus on talented young staff and market access

How can banks attract and further develop the most talented young staff? This was one of the key questions that high-level experts from both countries discussed at the Hong Kong-Swiss Financial Seminar. In parallel to the seminar, an exchange programme for rising stars was conducted for the first time. A second central topic addressed was how to support the further opening of the Chinese wealth management market.

The successful Hong Kong-Swiss Financial Seminar was held for the third time on 12 November in Bern and was attended by 50 participants. The good relations between the two leading wealth management centres were further strengthened through panel discussions as well as the exchange of opinions and ideas. The event served as a platform for strengthening the Swiss banking centre in both of these areas.

In his welcome address, Jörg Gasser, CEO of the Swiss Bankers Association, highlighted the similarities between the two financial centres and pointed out that, as bridge-builders between Asia and Europe, they are closely interlinked with the major economies. “Hong Kong is Switzerland’s second most important trading partner in Asia,” said Gasser, commenting on their economic relationship. The new exchange programme held during the week of 11 to 15 November further enhances the quality of that relationship.

In January 2018, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and Hong Kong’s Private Wealth Management Association (PWMA) agreed to an exchange programme for up-and-coming junior staff working at their respective member institutions, the aim being to promote a greater understanding of the private banking industry and banking practices in the other location. August Benz, Head of Private Banking & Asset Management and Deputy CEO, explains: “The ten bank employees from Hong Kong will take part in a comprehensive programme encompassing, among other things, meetings with SIX, various authorities, representatives of Crypto Valley and the participating banks.”

Talent development was also the focus of a first panel discussion at the financial seminar, which explored the search for talented staff as well as their training and development. During the second panel of the day, experts addressed the question of how to support the further opening of the Chinese market.

The Financial Seminar was the third in a series organised by the SBA and the PWMA and geared to strengthening relations and increasing collaboration between the two associations.

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