All articles by Alison Ebbage
Alison Ebbage
Talkin bout my generation
Understanding why, how and where the next generation are engaging with their advisers is a pressing issue for private banks and wealth managers. Alison Ebbage takes a look at the different approaches banks are taking to keep up with the next generation
Enhancing the client relationship
The digitalisation of client interaction is constantly evolving as banks seek to provide the right type of information through the right channels to their clients at the right time. Alison Ebbage talks to banks and vendors about some of the latest digital trends and where social media fits.
Segmentation: What women want
Differences do exist in the way that women think about managing their money compared to men. Yet the differences are not as pronounced as once thought. The products that women invest in are typically geared to solving specific long-term problems rather than playing the market, which is often linked with male investors. Kate Sayre, a partner at Boston Consulting, comments: “Generally, women want to solve specific problems or fulfil needs in relation to specific life events such as education or retirement; men look first to the product.” Sayre adds that women are more intent on understanding the risk-return profiles of a particular product and that woman are less likely to be distracted by short-term performance.
Keeping up with front-end trends
Banks are pouring significant sums into upgrading their front-end systems to satisfy growing clientdemand. How is this going to affect the traditional banker-client relationship and will this lead to lower fees? Alison Ebbage talks to seven IT providers to discover the cutting-edge trends in front-end systems.
Beware back-office neglect
Front-end systems are occupying private banks efforts and spending on IT infrastructure, but industry consultants point to a worrying lag in back-office systems Alison Ebbage looks at the importance of data management and outsourcing in the second part of our IT special. What is the use of a shiny new front-end client-facing system, if the data that feeds the front end is not reliable and timely
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The business of giving
The new breed of entrepreneur has a much more hands-on approach to charitable giving demanding new services from their wealth managers Alison Ebbage finds out about venture philanthropy, hyper-local giving and how government spending cuts could help boost the charitable sector.
Data security: The price of protection
The high-profile theft of client data from several private banks has brought the importance of data security into sharp focus. Alison Ebbage finds banks walking a tight line between guarding client confidentiality, meeting transparency regulations and staying cost efficient.
RDR-ready discretionary model concerns
Alison Ebbage finds the final form of the arrangement is far from clear cut and the relationship between adviser, discretionary manager and back office needs careful thought.
MiFID & RDR put box ticking in overdrive
Wealth managers are finding their jobs crowded by increasingly long lists of boxes to tick, driven by increased regulation and more technically demanding clients Alison Ebbage speaks to five industry experts about what banks must do to improve their customer relationship management. Private bankers in Europe and the UK are facing challenges on many fronts, but increased regulation and client demands are renewing emphasis on sales suitability.
Compliance: Counting the climbing costs
Rising regulation means increasing the amount private banks have to spend on upgrading their IT infrastructure Alison Ebbage finds that IT systems for wealth managers are underinvested, meaning costly times ahead, but suggests several ways to tackling this mounting overhead. A veritable tidal wave of information and new legislation aimed at ending tax evasion could overwhelm private banks