Independent asset management is at its biggest crossroads yet.
Generational shifts, regulation, technological transformation and increasing IT security risks are forcing independent asset managers to consider how they can safeguard their life’s work and client relationships in the long term and across generations.
EMC matches independent asset managers with selected banking partners that a sustainable long-term succession, integration or cooperation solution appears feasible with, based on what they bring to the table financially, organisationally and strategically as well as their philosophy, culture and client understanding.
The focus is not on nailing down a deal at any cost – and especially not on a solution driven by private equity or short-term exit strategies. It is all about securing viable long-term prospects for the asset manager’s legacy, their clients and staff.
Many succession issues remain unresolved.
For 58 per cent of the independent asset managers surveyed in Switzerland, business succession has been only partially arranged or not at all. The German financial sector also faces similar challenges when it comes to succession planning.
We believe that a compelling solution has to create the right conditions to preserve the entrepreneur’s life’s work and offer clients reliable, cross-generational prospects for the future.
The generational shift applies to advisors and clients alike.
It’s not just for owners and advisors that a generational shift is taking place. Clients’ requirements and expectations are also changing.
This makes continuity, personalised client care, digital compatibility and a credible long-term strategy increasingly important.
Long-term responsibility not short-term maximisation.
EMC deliberately selects banking partners that have a sustainable strategy.
The aim is to safeguard trust, client relationships, a sustainable reputation and corporate culture – not opportunism, short-term value enhancement or a subsequent resale.
Not just any bank. The right bank.
Philosophy and culture are the foundation.
A banking solution is only sustainable if the independent asset manager and the bank are a genuine fit. This strategic, cultural and personal fit is at the heart of EMC’s approach.
This is based on personal and confidential talks with the owners of the asset management firm and the potential banking partners. Only if both sides openly compare their visions, values and long-term goals can a lastingly viable partnership be established.
There has to be significant overlap between:
Your life’s work is front and centre
Independent asset management is more than just a balance sheet.
It stands for long-standing client relationships, personal responsibility, a distinct investment philosophy and a corporate culture that has evolved over the years.
Clients have often placed their trust in the firm and its advisors for generations. The firm’s name stands for a specific type of advice and its own set of values.
That is why the focus is not on the quickest solution. EMC brings the asset manager together with a selected banking partner that appears willing and able to continue the asset managers life’s work over the long term, responsibly and in the clients’ best interests.
The focus is on:
Long-term prospects, not private equity and exit strategies
EMC deliberately avoids models primarily geared towards short-term profit maximisation and which, by their very nature, are likely to entail a subsequent resale. Instead, the focus is on solutions offering clear and lastingly viable prospects for the business and its clients.
For us, what is key is:
- stability and security for clients,
- safeguarding trust and reputation
- long-term ownership and governance structures,
- regulatory, organisational and technological compatibility,
- a scalable investment and advice architecture,
- a banking brand that instils confidence,
- respect for the existing advice and investment philosophy.
Within the scope of its banking mandates, EMC focuses on selected banking partners that, based on the criteria outlined, seem an especially good fit for a strategically and carefully prepared succession solution and that offer credible long-term prospects.
Our aim is a partnership that, even years after the handover, is still seen as the right decision – by the previous owner and, especially, by the clients.
So safeguarding your life’s work, the established client relationships and business model in the long term is one of the core principles of the EMC approach.
The EMC Process
From the confidential initial consultation to a potential succession solution
Understanding where you’re coming from
A personal and confidential initial consultation allows EMC to get a feel for your current situation, your goals and the requirements for a potential succession solution. The purpose of the consultation is to determine whether a suitable solution is potentially available within EMC’s network of partner banks.
Assessing a potential match
Based on the confidential initial consultation, EMC assesses whether one or more of its partner banks might, in principle, be a good fit for your requirements in terms of their strategy, culture, client understanding and business model.
Here, EMC also factors in the technological, regulatory and organisational requirements of the bank in question. There is no market-wide or independent screening of all banks.
Facilitating contact
If, after an initial assessment, a potential match is identified, EMC explains the relevant banking partner and the potentially conceivable succession, integration or cooperation models.
You decide independently whether confidential contact should be made and whether talks should be initiated or pursued.
Coordinating talks
If you expressly give the go-ahead, EMC establishes contact with the relevant decision-makers at the bank and personally supports the talks as the initiator and process coordinator in a structured and confidential manner.
Information is disclosed solely to the extent and at the time you first authorise. Together with the legal, tax, transaction and any other specialist advisors you enlist, you are responsible for independently reviewing the proposed solution and asserting your interests.
Operations in Germany and Switzerland
Cross-border market expertise
EMC matches independent asset managers in Germany and Switzerland with selected banking partners that a suitable succession, integration or cooperation solution appears feasible with.
Our cross-border market expertise helps us assess different regulatory frameworks, banking structures and succession models, and, within our network of partner banks, to identify the institutions that are a potential fit for the asset manager’s individual situation.
EMC’s preliminary assessment focuses on the strategic, cultural and personal fit of the asset manager and the bank.
Why choose EMC
EMC is a Swiss company that has specialised in the financial services sector since 2013. We are licenced by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) to provide international recruitment services.
Our team of partners brings together decades of experience in the financial sector. We support banks and financial services providers with personnel, sales and strategic issues.
EMC has supported the international expansion of a listed client. The founding partners also have extensive experience in the successful integration and sustainable development of well-known distribution structures in Germany.
This experience has given us a profound understanding of regulated financial firms, different business models and the special requirements of long-term client relationships.
Trust-based market access
Over many years, we have built robust relationships with decision-makers at owner, top management, board of directors and banking levels.
This access enables personal conversations as equals and lays the foundation for a confidential exchange – even before a concrete succession process is initiated.
Profound knowledge of the market and its structures
We understand different customer and client models, distribution structures, regulatory requirements and the strategic direction of different banks.
This enables us to assess potential partners not just based on financial indicators, but also in terms of their strategic, cultural and organisational compatibility.
A holistic and human perspective
We look beyond mere figures, structures and business models. The people, their values and the relationships that have developed over the years are front and centre.
Succession is not just a strategic or financial decision. It impacts entrepreneurs, clients and staff alike. That is why we also factor in corporate culture, your client understanding, investment philosophy, governance and the long-term prospects of the business model.
Discretion, experience and personal support
Succession requires experienced partners who can engage as equals
Many entrepreneurs think about the future of their business a long time before taking concrete steps. During this sensitive phase, they need partners who understand entrepreneurial responsibility, can make sense of complex situations and know the requirements of regulated financial institutions.
At EMC, you will be personally supported by an experienced team. We combine:
- C-level and top management experience,
- legal and business expertise,
- longstanding leadership experience in international banking and asset management.
Personal. Non-binding. Confidential.
We engage with owners, top management and board members as equals, factoring in not just financial aspects but also the philosophy, business objectives and the responsibility a succession plan entails.
The entire contact and coordination process is conducted personally, discreetly and in close consultation with you. We decide the type, scope and timing of communication with potential banking partners jointly. EMC supports the process as the initiator and coordinator, not as an independent advisor to the asset manager.
Your life’s work deserves a partner that is a genuine fit
A compelling succession solution is financially viable and a strategic, cultural and personal fit.
EMC matches independent asset managers in Germany and Switzerland with selected banking partners who can offer a credible, long-term outlook for the company and its clients.
Not the quickest solution. Not just any solution. The right solution.
Personal. Non-binding. Discreet.
Let’s talk about the future of your business in confidence
An initial consultation helps us understand your current situation and what you have in mind, and to assess possible next steps. It is non-binding and does not entail your details being passed on to potential banking partners.
Your details will be treated confidentially and used solely for the purpose of processing your enquiry. They will only be passed on to a potential banking partner if you explicitly authorise us to.