Recruiting 20 new private bankers and acquiring 2.300 new customers, these are the objectives for the end of 2017 of the Credem private banking division, specialized in the management of customers with assets exceeding 500 thousand euros and led by Alessandro Denti. These objectives were presented during the convention held in December in Reggio Emilia at the Loris Malaguzzi Centre. During the meeting, the prospects of the financial markets, the portfolio allocation strategies and the main news on customer services were also illustrated.
In 2016, moreover, the implementation of the new business model was completed with the setting up of 35 new private centers within the main Credem branches present throughout the country. A strategic choice that has made it possible to develop important synergies with the entire commercial network and to make use of the assistance of experts with different specializations within the same structure. Furthermore, particular attention was paid to training activities which have always played a key role for the division. In 2016, Credem's bankers completed a three-year training course aimed at strengthening technical skills, for a total of 1.500 classroom days. At the end of September 2016, the Credem private banking division recorded assets of 16,2 billion euro (+6% y/y) of which 55% managed (+11% y/y) and 40 thousand customers (+5 % y/y).
“Setting up specialized private centers within branches today represents the most effective response to the needs of high-net-worth customers,” said Matteo Benetti, coordinator of private sales channels and Credem's financial advisors. “As demonstrated by the data provided by the Italian Private Banking Association, in the last five years it was precisely the integrated private networks that exceeded the business development average of the other offer models. Furthermore, in 2016 our division continued its investments in technology, an important aspect that allows us to differentiate ourselves and remain competitive in the sector. As part of this strategy, the "remote expert" service was activated in September, which from any branch is able to put customers in touch with our specialists via professional videoconferences to deal specifically with complex issues such as planning succession, real estate development and tax optimisation”, concluded Benetti.
