Today feels like one of those moments to pause. A schnappszahl — a double number — a small personal milestone. And yes, there’s a bottle of champagne waiting in the fridge. Under pressure. Ready.
🎂 A birthday is a good reminder that time moves fast — in life and in business. It makes me think about people who have achieved a lot, especially Private Bankers who have built and maintained client relationships for decades. Relationships based on trust, discretion, and genuine continuity.
Yet many are slowly pushed aside as they age. Their experience seems to be losing weight in daily business, even though it is exactly what this industry is built on.
This should be the phase when both are possible: sharing knowledge and relationships step by step without having to let go completely. It is not about being replaced, but about a smart, well-structured transition — one that can extend well beyond 65.
Some forward-thinking wealth management firms already understand this. Modern models such as revenue participation, client-transition roles, or flexible part-time options enable senior Private Bankers to remain active, mentor the next generation, and shape their next chapter.
This is not a farewell — it is leadership in action. A way to protect the values, trust, and experience that define true Private Banking.
Maybe that is what my schnappszahl really means: taking a quiet moment to recognise the past — and look ahead with intention.
Nearly forty years in finance have flown by — and the next ten will too. Because those who find the right timing keep the sparkle alive — and make sure it keeps fizzing. 🥂
Source: LinkedIn
