They are both refugees. Einstein, considered one of the greatest geniuses in history, fled Nazi occupied Germany to the United States in 1933 after his civil liberties were revoked and he was barred from his professorship for being an outspoken opponent of the government. Fortunately, Princeton University recognized his intelligence and offered him a job. A fortuitous event that changed his life and ours, yet for many refugees today, such opportunities are scarce.

The British magazine Private Banker International of Verdict publishing group named BBVA’s Swiss unit as the winner in the ‘Outstanding Customer Relationship Service and Engagement 2019’ category. The honor recognized BBVA’s international private banking model, its global investment offering, and the personalization of its services, all founded on a holistic approach to wealth management.

At BBVA Open Summit, Ricardo Forcano, BBVA's Global Head of Talent and Culture; and Rob Brown, Global CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) at BBVA, chatted with the representatives of two startups that are working to leverage blockchain and AI technologies to enable new decentralized ways of working.

Since June, asset management customers of BBVA in Switzerland can go online to contract any type of financial asset adapted to their risk profile. With “Click & Trade,” the bank advances its digitalization process, providing solutions that address its customers’ needs.

The versatility of its famous multi-use knives and the precision of its watches have given Switzerland the reputation of being one of the most innovative countries on the planet. The Alpine country has a long tradition of inventions that have helped improve our day-to-day lives. Inventions such as the ‘Rex’ vegetable peeler and the well-known coffee capsules show how Swiss talent has been able to adapt itself to society’s new needs and contribute to its development.

In a fast-paced world, Swiss financial institutions are well-prepared to lead the transformation of the finance industry, particularly in private banking, where they are a clear reference in the world. The combination of accumulated experience, talent and availability of capital are decisive factors to facilitate this change.

Alfonso Gómez joined the BBVA Group in 1994 and was appointed to head the Swiss branch in 2014. Born in Segovia, Spain, he has had an extensive career, holding positions on several continents. Since his arrival at Switzerland, he has been working to develop the best customer experience, based on a high-value offering and next-generation digital tools.

Switzerland is currently the world’s largest private banking center, accounting for 25% of the global market. The country has a deep-rooted wealth management tradition, offering the perfect combination of experience, precision and a strong work ethic within a highly unstable geopolitical environment.

Many people around the world choose to place part of their savings in investments outside their home country, in order to diversify their holdings. That’s why they put part of their capital in international financial centers. Switzerland is one of them.

BBVA's presence in Switzerland dates back 25 years – a quarter century during which the bank has accompanied its clients, advising them on the management of their wealth and the diversification of their investments. It's the only bank in the BBVA Group devoted exclusively to private banking, offering a superb value proposition in international asset management.

This year, the World Economic Forum at Davos is attracting plenty of attention. From the long-awaited speech by U.S. President Donald Trump to the criticisms of American protectionism and support for global cooperation expressed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, no leader misses their moment in the spotlight to send messages to the world community.

BBVA in Switzerland has just become the first private financial institution in the country to offer its clients the digital signature service, which facilitates the management and signing of documents and provides an improved user experience.

Just like in past editions, the 47th World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos drew worldwide attention. Hard brexit, Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, employment, the future of Europe, the transformation of the banking industry and the challenges for 2017 after a somewhat turbulent year, were the themes that dominated the debate.

According to the 2013 Global Innovation Index, Spain has climbed three places in the last year and is now at number 26 in this ranking, with a score of 49.41 out of 100, compared to 66.59 in Switzerland, the most innovative country.