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Private banking in Switzerland: trusted partners in times of uncertainty
key takeaways.
Swiss private banking offers financial stability, personalisation and strategic foresight – critical advantages for high-net-worth individuals looking to preserve and grow their wealth in a rapidly changing world
Lombard Odier combines over 225 years of experience with a sustainable, forward-looking, approach, offering personalised wealth management solutions that adapt to clients’ evolving goals, risk appetites and global footprints
From portfolio diversification and impact investing to holistic planning and philanthropy, private banking at Lombard Odier empowers clients to build enduring legacies and confidently navigate the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Geopolitical fragmentation, macroeconomic volatility and long-term structural shifts are transforming the world around us. Recent events, such as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs and the escalating trade war with China, have significantly disrupted global markets. The reversal of these tariffs has only added to the uncertainty, with nations and businesses scrambling to adapt. As inflationary pressures, rising interest rates and increasingly eclectic policy responses reshape global financial markets, and the climate crisis and energy transition introduce new layers of complexity – and opportunity – to investments, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) who want to protect and future-proof their wealth must approach the project with agility.
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In times of uncertainty, investing with agility requires a foundation of stability. Private banking in Switzerland offers exactly that: a steady, trusted anchor for long-term financial decisions. Known for its discretion, resilience and a long-standing tradition of financial expertise, the Swiss private banking sector is uniquely positioned to offer tailored financial solutions that evolve with both clients’ needs and a macroeconomic environment that refuses to stand still. Whether navigating global uncertainty or planning for intergenerational wealth transfers, Swiss private banks are trusted partners to those seeking to preserve and grow their assets with confidence. With a long history as a cornerstone in wealth management, Switzerland remains the largest booking centre in the world for offshore wealth management – a financial hub where banks record and manage their clients' assets and transactions.1
Private banking in Switzerland offers a steady, trusted anchor for long-term financial decisions
Diversified portfolios: a buffer against market volatility
Periods of economic uncertainty demand a steady hand and a well-constructed investment strategy. For HNWIs, private banking offers access to expertly managed, diversified portfolios designed to withstand volatility and preserve long-term value. The Trump administration’s most recent trade policy disruptions triggered massive market volatility, underlining the need for diversification. By spreading investments across asset classes, sectors and geographies, diversification remains one of the most effective ways to manage risk, reducing exposure to any single source of disruption.
Swiss private banks are well placed to offer sophisticated wealth management solutions that go beyond traditional equities and bonds. The dynamics of alternative assets, such as private equity, hedge funds and real estate, are often very different to those of public markets, and their strategic inclusion in investment portfolios can provide a valuable cushion during periods of economic stress while opening new avenues for returns.
At Lombard Odier, our ‘total wealth’ approach combines traditional liquid investments with carefully selected private assets. This enables us to design personalised financial services that reflect each client’s risk appetite, investment horizon and broader financial planning goals. In doing so, we aim to enhance diversification, reduce portfolio volatility and drive long-term performance – even in unpredictable markets.
For high-net-worth individuals, private banking offers access to expertly managed, diversified portfolios designed to withstand volatility and preserve long-term value
Why experience matters in private banking during economic uncertainty
Besides a well-diversified portfolio, an unpredictable world also calls for trusted guidance. In private banking, one of the most valuable assets an investor can have is access to seasoned advisors who not only understand the complexities of evolving markets, but also tailor strategies to clients’ specific goals. This expertise is especially relevant in the current economic landscape. A good private bank offers more than investment strategies – it provides a long-term perspective, proactive risk assessment and the ability to respond to change decisively yet prudently – qualities for which Swiss private banks are renowned.
At Lombard Odier, we deliver these qualities by combining global insight with localised expertise. Our private bankers are deeply attuned to both the markets they serve – spanning Europe, the Middle East and Asia across more than 25 offices – and the evolving needs of HNWIs. By integrating goal-based investing with agile, personalised financial services, we help clients weather uncertainty while preserving and growing their wealth.
Our global approach means we can offer clients more than just portfolio management. Our team of over 60 expert wealth planners specialises in delivering tax-efficient wealth management solutions, as well as offering services in family governance, retirement strategies and succession planning. This commitment to excellence has been recognised recently at the 2025 Euromoney Private Banking Awards, where Lombard Odier was recognised as the best bank for succession planning worldwide, as well as for Western Europe, Switzerland and the UK.
With over 225 years of experience and a history of navigating more than 40 financial crises, prudence and risk-awareness have long underpinned our approach. We understand the importance of careful planning, scenario analysis and tailored risk mitigation. Whether advising entrepreneurs, family offices or senior executives, our role is to act as a steady partner, offering clear guidance and strategic foresight when it’s needed most.
Unlocking future growth: the strategic access private banking offers
A key advantage of private banking lies in its ability to open doors. For HNWIs looking to enhance returns and diversify their portfolios, private banks offer access to sophisticated investment opportunities not typically available through mainstream channels. This includes private markets, structured products, thematic strategies and other bespoke solutions tailored to clients’ long-term goals and risk profiles.
At Lombard Odier, we combine this market access with deep investment expertise and a strong research foundation. Our teams design forward-looking strategies that capture innovation and structural shifts – including those driven by sustainability. From thematic equity and private impact strategies to customised mandates, we help clients tap into opportunities at the intersection of financial performance and global transformation.
Wealth management is most effective when grounded in a long-term, personal relationship
Banking built around you: personalised wealth management
Wealth management is most effective when grounded in a long-term, personal relationship. For HNWIs, private banking is not just about financial returns. It’s about building trust, understanding evolving goals and crafting financial strategies that adapt to life’s complexities over time. In an age of increasing standardisation, true personalisation has become a hallmark of exceptional private banking – and a key reason clients choose to stay with their trusted advisors for decades.
Whether the priority is capital preservation, philanthropic giving, retirement planning or intergenerational wealth transfer, at Lombard Odier, we combine global insight with local expertise to offer a personalised approach to wealth management. We offer both discretionary portfolio management – where clients entrust us with the day-to-day management of their portfolios – and advisory management – for those who want hands-on involvement in investment decisions with the backing of expert advice.
Our commitment to personalisation also means being globally aware and locally agile. With access to multi-currency capabilities and a global investment outlook, clients can manage and grow their wealth wherever life takes them. Our privately owned partnership structure reinforces our dedication to building enduring relationships and supporting wealth transfers across generations.
Holistic wealth planning encompasses not only investment management, but also personalised financial planning that considers issues like tax efficiency, estate planning and future life events
Holistic wealth planning: looking beyond just investments
Preserving and growing a client’s wealth in today’s volatile environment demands a comprehensive view of their financial world. Holistic wealth planning encompasses not only investment management, but also personalised financial planning that considers issues like tax efficiency, estate planning and future life events. This approach empowers clients – including entrepreneurs preparing for business transitions, family offices safeguarding legacy assets, or senior executives securing diverse portfolios – to make confident, well-informed decisions, whatever the future may hold.
Our approach accounts for both where you are today and where you could be tomorrow
At Lombard Odier, we work closely with clients to understand their personal, family and professional situations in detail. This allows us to tailor wealth planning strategies that reflect each client’s unique goals, risk tolerance and global footprint. For internationally mobile clients, cross-border wealth structuring is especially important to ensuring assets are held efficiently and compliantly across jurisdictions, while also supporting long-term ambitions like succession planning or selling a business.
Our approach accounts for both where you are today and where you could be tomorrow. From managing generational wealth transfers to optimising your tax environment, we offer forward-looking, personalised financial services designed to safeguard your wealth and legacy.2
Focus on entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs often face a complex financial reality: managing the growth of a business while safeguarding personal wealth. With company and private assets frequently intertwined, they must navigate liquidity planning, succession issues, and tax exposure – all while staying focused on running their business. Whether preparing for a business sale, planning a new venture, or simply looking to secure their family’s financial future, entrepreneurs need flexible, forward-looking strategies that adapt to changing circumstances.
At Lombard Odier, we understand the unique pressures and opportunities entrepreneurs face. Our private bankers provide tailored support at every stage of the entrepreneurial journey – from structuring wealth ahead of a liquidity event to reinvesting proceeds, preserving capital, and planning for the next generation. By aligning personal and business priorities, we help entrepreneurs protect what they’ve built – and lay strong foundations for what comes next.
Maximising your impact: how private banking supports philanthropy
For many HNWIs, private banking is not only about preserving and growing their wealth – it’s also about empowering those who are less fortunate. As philanthropic goals become more clearly defined and strategic, private banks are playing a greater role in helping clients structure and manage their giving effectively, turning generosity into long-term impact so philanthropic ambitions are both fulfilled and sustained.
At Lombard Odier, we work with philanthropists who want to align their wealth with their values, whether by creating a personal legacy, supporting family-led initiatives or making a broader societal impact. With deep expertise at the intersection of wealth and purpose, we see philanthropy as a key part of a holistic approach to wealth. We provide expert guidance on translating philanthropic goals into action, including how to structure philanthropic efforts, establishing foundations in Switzerland, or advising on governance and impact measurement.
Our approach goes beyond administrative support. We offer tailored programming, strategic planning and investment solutions that help maximise the reach and impact of philanthropic capital. Whether through bespoke structures or flexible options such as donor-advised funds, we help clients create strong, future-ready foundations for their giving.
Sustainable investing is no longer a thematic niche – it is becoming central to long-term value creation and legacy planning
Sustainable investing: building success in tomorrow’s economy
The world is undergoing a systemic economic transformation, shaped by mounting environmental and social pressures. For long-term investors, these shifts present both risks and emerging opportunities. In this context, private banks must go beyond short-term performance to help clients position their wealth for the world ahead.
At Lombard Odier, we believe the global economy is being reshaped through five major systems changes:
In energy systems, the transition to renewable, zero-carbon sources is accelerating, supported by advances in energy efficiency.
Industrial systems will adopt circular production models and bio-based materials, reducing waste and reliance on finite resources.
In consumption systems, supply chains will shorten and become more transparent, while superior, nature-aligned products will reshape demand.
In health systems, we anticipate a shift toward preventative care and technology-enabled solutions designed to reduce health inequalities.
Technology and finance underpin and enable all these transformations, with innovations such as cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity and blended finance driving scale and impact.
Our investment strategies are built around these dynamics. By identifying companies that are enabling or adapting to these changes, we seek to capture growth where traditional models may falter. Sustainable investing is no longer a thematic niche – it is becoming central to long-term value creation and legacy planning. For families and entrepreneurs seeking to align their wealth with global change, private banking offers not just stability, but a forward-looking lens on the future.
Building enduring partnerships for long-term financial prosperity
In times of uncertainty, trusted partnerships become more important than ever. For HNWIs navigating an increasingly dynamic world, private banking offers valuable financial expertise and long-term strategic support grounded in stability, discretion and personalised service.
Switzerland’s reputation for financial strength, regulatory rigour and innovation makes the country a natural home for private banking. At Lombard Odier, we’ve spent more than 225 years helping our clients preserve, grow and pass on their wealth across generations. As an independent, privately-owned firm, understanding that our clients’ long-term success is also our own drives us to deliver wealth management solutions that are as forward-looking as they are bespoke.
For families and entrepreneurs seeking to align their wealth with global change, private banking offers not just stability, but a forward-looking lens on the future
Our mission is to be the private bankers of reference for entrepreneurs and their families, generation after generation. That means building enduring relationships, offering personalised and sustainable investment strategies, and anticipating tomorrow’s challenges today.
From portfolio construction to holistic planning, sustainable investing to philanthropic structuring, our aim is to create lasting value for each and every client. By choosing a partner that understands the big picture, and has the experience and pioneering spirit to respond with agility underpinned by stability, you can face the future with confidence that your wealth is in expert hands.
This is a marketing communication issued by Bank Lombard Odier & Co Ltd (hereinafter “Lombard Odier”).
It is not intended for distribution, publication, or use in any jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, or use would be unlawful, nor is it aimed at any person or entity to whom it would be unlawful to address such a marketing communication.
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