Global wealth and fund solutions provider Zedra has opened an additional European office to enhance its active wealth services to its international client base as well as expand its presence in the region.
The Liechtenstein office will help the firm serve local clients as well as build on its offering for high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs.
Zedra plans to capitalise on the country’s technology and cryptocurrency and blockchain industries, as it a space where it is already active and is looking to expand its market share.
The services provider will also offer Liechtenstein venture cooperatives (LVC) “delivering a weighted mutual reward system and supporting intellectual property for investors”, it said.
This will allow the firm to bolster its Swiss business by taking advantage of the customs and currency treaty between the two countries.
Ivo Hemelraad, chief executive of Zedra, said: “Its compact dimension, innovation mindset, flexibility and rapidity in adopting new regulations as well as direct access to regulators, makes Liechtenstein an excellent jurisdiction to service our clients.
“Our new office will bolster our European offering, allowing us to broaden our offering to current clients and tap into exciting new markets.”
Zedra currently operates in 15 jurisdictions across the world including Switzerland, the Netherlands, the UK, Luxembourg, the US, Poland, Malta, Hong Kong and Singapore.
European attraction
In other news, Asia-headquartered Charles Monat Associates (CMA) is following suit by launching a domestic business in the EU and creating a private placement life insurance (PPLI) practice group.
Luca Bertacchi is joining CMA in Liechtenstein as managing director of continental Europe and head of PPLI practice group to build and lead the newly established team.
He was global director of Lombard International Assurance, working his way up from head of Switzerland and regional director of central and southern Europe.
At the same time, CMA is expanding its operations in Switzerland with three hires in Zurich, alongside the appointment of Marco Liardo as managing director of the country.
Previously, Liardo served as senior vice president and head of Switzerland at Private Client Services by Mercer.
Both Liardo and Bertacchi report to Simon Lo, chief executive of the international business division.
International growth
These developments have allowed CMA to bolster its international business division which includes operations in Dubai, Geneva, Liechtenstein and Zurich.
Yves Guélat, group chief executive of Charles Monat Associates, said: “Our new team members are subject matter experts when it comes to insurance solutions. With their significant experience in wealth planning and tremendous network of contacts, they provide a real value-add to our bank partners, family offices and clients in the region.
“By expanding the capabilities of our international business division in Switzerland and Europe, we can enhance international synergies to create ‘one CMA’.
“We want to expand our products across the region and create synergies with other regions in a more connected world.”
CMA is a global insurance broker with more than 200 professionals operating in Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Switzerland, Miami, Kuala Lumpur, and Liechtenstein. CMA delivers services in liquidity planning and wealth transfer for ultra-high net worth and high net worth individuals, families and businesses.
