2014-2017 - The founding years
As the saying goes, every beginning is difficult. ZWEI Wealth was established in 2014 with a clean slate, driven solely by the vision of providing clients with significantly better outcomes with banks and asset managers through independent advice.
At that time, few believed that clients would be willing to pay for such services, let alone that banks and asset managers would be open to it. “During our founding years, we were able to demonstrate that the idea works. Fortunately, we quickly convinced our first clients of the concept and found ways to persuade the banks and managers,” summarises Klaus Wellershoff the early days. The foundation has been laid, and the idea has been validated.
Key Milestones
- Establishment of the office at Bahnhofstrasse 12 in Zurich
- First advisors (in order of entry): James Wood, Rolf Künzler, Pascal Schneiter, Sergije Franges, Peter Leber, Alberto Cominetti, Kevin Graf (Business Management), Paul Stäheli, Ruedi Baumgartner, Daniel Poschung, Isabelle Bannwart, Nadeschda Hoidn Wiede, Robert Tschiemer
- Definition of the Wealth Office Code
- First tender with seven bids
- First transparency report for performance comparison between banks and asset managers
The Anecdote
During the first tender, it was often not possible to persuade certain banks to submit a bid. “What? I am supposed to submit a bid? No, thank you; clients come to me regardless.” (Quote from a bank that no longer exists today)