Il Italian Private Banking Looks to 2026 with prospects of growth, driven by an ever-increasing number of families entering the high net worth bracket and by a financial wealth destined to increase. This evolution is described by the Report on Private Banking in Italy 2026, realized by Aipb (Italian Private Banking Association) in collaboration with Promethea, which analyses the trend of the potential market of Private customers and the new opportunity for the wealth management sector.
According to the Report, the investable financial wealth of families Italian companies with assets exceeding 500 thousand euros will reach 500 thousand euros in 2026 share 1.611 billion of euros, with a growth of 61,2 billion compared to 2025 (+3,9%). An expansion supported above all by the ability of families to generate new savings, which will contribute 3% to growth, while the contribution of markets will be equal to 0,9%.
This development confirms the growing role of wealth management: the increase in financial resources is accompanied by greater complexity in wealth management, from investment strategies to generational transition planning.
Private Banking Italy: Increase in High-Net-Equity Families
The Aipb-Prometeia Report highlights a extension significant of the potential audience Private Banking. In 2026, 12.718 new Italian families will exceed the threshold of €500 in investable financial wealth, bringing the total number of households in the Private segment to 741.933.
Growth will be concentrated mainly in range between 500 thousand and 1 million euros, which represents the main catchment area for new entrants into the sector. Families in this category will increase from 543.653 to 553.618, contributing 78% of total new entrants.
This data shows how the Private market is progressively expanding, involving an ever-widening segment of families who require more structured wealth management tools and services.
Financial Wealth: Private Wealth Rises to $1.611 Billion
Growth also concerns the overall size of the assetsIn 2026, the potential financial wealth of private households will reach €1.611 billion, with an increase distributed across all wealth brackets.
The segment between 500 and 1 million euros will grow from 491,7 to 510,4 billion, generating approximately 18,6 billion in new potential wealth. Families with assets between 1 and 5 million euros will increase their assets from 548,6 to 569,9 billion, contributing approximately 21,4 billion. Even higher assets will continue to support growth: assets between 5 and 10 million will go from 246,9 to 256,8 billion, while those over 10 million will rise from 262,8 to 274 billion.
The market, therefore, grows both thanks to theentry of new customers both thanks to the greater articulation of the needs of those who already have significant assets.
Wealth management in Italy: Private Banking still has room for growth.
Despite the expansion in recent years, the sector still has room for development. In 2026, the assets managed by Private and Wealth Management will reach 1.489 billion euros, also including a marginal share of affluent customers close to the Private threshold and institutional investors.
A comparison between the potential market and the assets already managed by operators shows that approximately 27% of the financial wealth of families with assets exceeding 500 euros is still entrusted to traditional commercial banking models.
A share that represents an important opportunity for the sector, called to enhance its role through advice personalized, specialized skills and an integrated vision of wealth management.
Comments
"Private Banking's growth potential is driven by two complementary dynamics: the expansion of the number of families who can access Private Banking services and the evolving advisory needs of those who already have significant assets. Longevity, generational transitions, and the growing complexity of wealth decisions today require skills that go well beyond simple investment management. The demand for advisory services is therefore destined to grow alongside the awareness of these new needs," stated Antonella Massari, Secretary General of Aipb -. The growth seen by Private Banking in recent years demonstrates the solidity of a service model that has earned the trust of families even during periods of greater market volatility. The growth prospects remain significant. A comparison between the potential market and the assets currently managed highlights how approximately 27% of the financial wealth of families with assets exceeding €500 is still entrusted to traditional commercial banking models. This is an area of growth that the sector can tap into by leveraging its distinctive features: specialized expertise, personalized advice, local proximity, and a relationship of trust built over time.
