“I am CFM’s bridge to the German financial services market. The German market so far has proved to be challenging for many Swiss financial services providers. Having direct access to potential targets, buyers or business partners is essential for any M&A strategy in the German market. After a number of exits, how will the German market be served by the Swiss banks?”
“Successful fintech businesses predominantly operate in the payments and lending space. Whilst we observe a growing trend to partnerships between “traditional” and digital players, selected businesses expressly live from their independence from traditional service providers. Is the prophesied “disruption” a myth or a hard truth in the future?”
“The Swiss asset management market is dominated by large banks and globally acting pure-play asset managers whilst innovation is often driven by small, independent players with alternative investment strategies. Still, to what extent can the latter become internationally relevant, on a stand alone basis?”
“Swiss retail banks have so far successfully navigated through the financials crisis and the long period of low and negative interest rates. Whilst selected players are heavily investing into their digital offering and processes, others seem to materially lag behind. Do they rely on their current business setup so much that they underestimate the digital challenges ahead?”
“Swiss insurers predominantly operate in saturated markets with traditionally low growth potential. Whilst some build up their asset management capabilities and offerings, others invest into online business models to acquire additional distribution knowledge and digital expertise. Does this ever pay out?”
“Through the increasing regulatory burdens of FinIA & FinSA and thereof following the increased human and financial resource demands, independent asset managers must rethink their strategic and organisational line-up. Especially for smaller, independent asset managers, the question of “attaching to a bigger player or merge?” arises quickly.“
«Life insurance companies are suffering from the low interest rate environment. They have stopped writing new business in the field of traditional guarantee products. The existing back books represent a burden on their balance sheets. Despite this, life insurers have so far preferred to run-off their back-books on their own balance sheets. Would there be customer-friendly alternatives that allow for capital release at the same time?»
“We provide our clients with unbiased and substantiated advice in and around M&A deals in the financial services space leveraging our strong expertise and track-record in the industry. However, what factors define the success of a transaction?”
“Many private banks hardly manage to acquire new clients whilst suffering from decreasing margins – still, building up a differentiating offering and tapping into new distribution channels may overwhelm many of the remaining players. What other strategic options might they have?”
The management and employees took over Hauck & Aufhäuser (Schweiz) AG by means of an MBO and renamed it Arete Ethik Invest AG
CFM acted as M&A advisor to H&A (Schweiz) AG