Independent wealth managers are growing. Their clients value personalised advice, flexibility, and independence. However, one part of their daily work remains complex: choosing the right bank or platform for transaction processing.
Many now face a choice. Should they work with a B2B-focused or traditional private bank offering a desk for external managers?
The market is shifting
Hereās what weāre seeing in the market: Onboarding with a pure B2B bank is often faster, simpler and more focused.
Why B2B banks stand out
Because B2B banks are built differently, they rely on standardised processes, digital interfaces and dedicated support teams. They speak the same language as professional wealth managers. And crucially, they donāt compete for the same end-clients.
Challenges with traditional private banks
In contrast, private banks wear many hats. They serve their own clients, manage internal portfolios and support external managers. This overlap can create friction. Internal goals may not always align. Onboarding takes longer. Decision-making slows down. Compliance becomes more complex.
Thatās not a criticism ā just an observation. Some private banks handle it well. Others struggle to balance both sides.
The key question for EAMs
So the real question is: Who will win the trust of independent wealth managers in the long run? The specialist who focuses 100% on enabling them? Or the generalist who tries to serve all roles?
Itās not just about custody. Itās about experience, reliability and speed. Because in todayās fast-moving world, smooth execution matters more than ever.
š Curious to hear your view on transaction processing. Are B2B models better for external managers, or is there still room for the hybrid approach?
