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29Sep2026

🇬🇧 London: My Journey from 1994 to Today 🏦

Personal views, not investment advice – see the full disclaimer below.

A scenic view of London, encapsulating the evolution of its financial district and symbolizing a personal journey in the finance sector over two decades.

🔙 1994 – I recall my time in Lewisham, working for Citi, as part of a visionary Global Back-office Project. It was a challenging period that taught me invaluable lessons—one being: Always avoid the lift during fire alarm tests, even if you’re on the top floor! 🔥 My London Journey.

💼 2000 – Canary Wharf. Deep in the heart of the financial world, I worked at Morgan Stanley, exploring new applications for the finance sector, particularly CRM and the Internet/Intranet. However, the dot-com bubble burst, and my journey led me back to Zurich. 💻

Over the decades, we have observed seismic shifts: the unprecedented collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008, controversies surrounding LIBOR manipulation, and the stressful situations faced by banks like Northern Rock and Bradford & Bingley. While some institutions faltered, others, like Barclays, have solidified and continued their legacy.

The new millennium brought fresh winds to the sector. Innovative financial entities like Revolut emerged, challenging the traditional banking landscape 🚀.

Looking back over the past 20 years and seeing my daughter, Aline Stauber, in this dynamic city, I realise that London has transformed. Canary Wharf, once the epicentre of traditional banking, has reinvented itself. The town is more technologically advanced yet grappling with big-city challenges 🏙 as everywhere in Europe.

It’s good to return for a long weekend and discover the new London with my family, and I will certainly return for a business trip! 🌍📈🔄

Source: LinkedIn

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the vapa Swiss independent wealth management blog are solely my own and do not reflect those of any institutions or organisations with which I am affiliated. I lead an independent wealth manager in Switzerland, so I write about this industry as a participant in it, not as a neutral observer. These posts are intended to share personal insights and should not be interpreted as official statements or as investment advice. See the legal notice for details.

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