Private banks’ solutions must be fairly priced, says Scorpio

Continent’s largest equity fund pulls in e1.5bn from January to March 2004 while research shows six out of 10 bestsellers invested in bonds

For an industry that talks a big game about being a relationship business, it seems that few wealth management institutions do much about fostering a deep understanding of their clients. Wealth management firms often fail to engage with their financial needs and objectives, but worse still, many question if they are considered relevant to their wealth management provider. For most, their customer experience revolves singularly around product exposure, when what they seek is service.

Rodney Williams assesses the volatile fortunes of the global fund industry in 2003, a year that ended with Europe boasting a net addition of 86 funds

BNP Paribas private banking chief François Debiesse tells Paula Garrido of his plan to differentiate the French giant from peers with advice-driven services.

If there is such a thing as a “third way” in private banking, it is the route pursued by François Debiesse, Paris-based chief executive officer of BNP Paribas Private Bank.

With around e100bn under management, the private banking division of the BNP Paribas group is aiming to fill the gap between the Swiss and American private banking schools.