This is a guest article by Sassan Danesh, CEO of Etrading Software, which is bidding for both the UK and EU bond and derivatives tapes.

Plans for higher defence spending and a more relaxed supervisory attitude to matters such as M&A are fuelling optimism in European banks’ ability to thrive, even with thinner interest margins. Successful growth strategies crossing the boundaries of banking, insurance and asset management, however, will rely more on industrial rationale than regulatory inducements such as the Danish Compromise.

JPMorgan Private Bank continues to lead the industry in digital innovation, providing its private banking clients with seamless, personalised and secure financial services. Through its pioneering technology, the firm is redefining wealth management by offering clients access to powerful digital tools, ensuring they stay ahead in an ever-evolving financial landscape.

BPI Private has demonstrated strong momentum, registering a 9% increase in assets under management to €9.5 billion ($10.3 billion). To support this growing portfolio, the bank’s headcount rose 13%, from 110 to 124 professionals, with an ambition to reach 140 by the end of the first quarter of 2025. This strategic recruitment drive has fortified both frontline and support functions, reflecting the firm’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive client experience.

A dedicated team of next generation-focused private bankers, largely revolving around its home base in Switzerland, is at the heart of UBS’s status as Western Europe’s best for next-gen wealth services. The team draws on backgrounds across wealth management, governance and advisory services, with a combined 20 year-plus experience of working with next-gen clients.

Bank of Cyprus offers outstanding private banking services, from digital tools to discretionary asset management, and more.

Healthy growth within the funds business at BNP Paribas Wealth Management, Western Europe’s best for fund selection, suggests a high level of client trust in an offering that aims at increasing quality but also growing innovation and flexibility.

Quintet Private Bank delivered a strong financial performance in 2023, showing resilience amid market volatility and inflationary pressures, while strategically expanding its investment offerings and geographic presence.

During the review period, ABN AMRO launched a series of events and products, as well as completing a strategic acquisition, resulting in significant growth in both its client base and net new assets.

A family-centred and collaborative approach to wealth planning for financial institutions lies at the heart of Abbove, Western Europe’s best technology provider for wealth management. At its most basic, the platform helps advisers offer wealth-planning services, but the aim is to place those advisers at the heart of the client’s choices and wealth strategy.

Switzerland and Europe continue to drive much of UBS’s global-leading franchise for family office services, cementing its status as a natural choice of financial provider for family offices around the world, and notably in Europe. It is a worthy winner of the award for Western Europe’s best for family office services.

Western Europe is home to so many of the greatest and the oldest wealth management houses – firms who are also pioneers in financial sustainability. And no private bank is better at marrying wealth management with the best in modern sustainability than LGT Private Banking.

Indosuez Wealth Management, Western Europe’s best for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients, has made impressive strides in developing its franchise in this crucial segment of the wealth management market.

Lombard Odier, which wins this year’s award for Western Europe’s best chief investment office (CIO), has taken a proactive approach to managing its CIO office over the past two years – an approach which is showing results.

Western Europe's best for philanthropic advisory in Euromoney’s 2025 Private Banking awards goes to Societe Generale Private Banking. In doing so, we recognise the quality of its philanthropic offering.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management delivers a comprehensive and global range of financial solutions, serving as a one-stop-shop for all aspects of wealth management.

Alpha Bank stands out for its impressive financial performance and innovative digital services. In the first half of 2024, Alpha Bank posted 43% year-on-year growth in client assets under management. In line with this, its market share in private banking hit a record high, capturing 33% of mutual fund inflows and securing new mandates from institutional clients.

BNP Paribas Banque Privée's strategic enhancements in digitalisation, client engagement and sustainability have not only increased its market share but also strengthened its leadership in the private banking sector.

CaixaBank continues to lead by example, combining innovative digital solutions with a strong focus on sustainability and a client-centric approach to manage and grow wealth responsibly.

LGT Private Banking is a worthy choice for Western Europe’s best pure-play/boutique private bank for numerous reasons. Since 2011, LGT has quadrupled its assets under management, reaching SFr356 billion ($405 billion) by mid-2024. This growth was driven by strong organic net asset inflows and strategic acquisitions.

One of the hallmarks of BNP Paribas Wealth Management’s strategy and success in wealth management is how it not only deploys strong capabilities specific to private banking, like discretionary portfolio management, but also the wider capabilities of the group. Corporate and institutional banking, markets, asset management, real estate, private equity: these are all group strengths at BNP Paribas, and highly relevant for its wealth management business.

KBC Private Bank has continued to achieve significant growth in its private banking network, strengthened its digital excellence through innovative solutions, and elevated client experiences with personalised, proactive technology integration.

Goldman Sachs’ wealth management business inevitably centres on the US – because of the size of that market, and because that is where the firm was born and is headquartered. Proportionally, however, it is growing faster internationally. That is especially apparent is Western Europe, where it is the region’s best international private bank.

Driven by its innovative and client-centric approach, XSpot Wealth offers flexible, transparent and low-fee wealth management solutions aimed at democratising investing.

Standard Chartered's private banking business in the UK has seen notable growth and strategic developments over the past year.

Erste Private Banking offers innovative digital tools and unique investment opportunities to its clients in Austria.

CaixaBank continues to lead by example, combining innovative digital solutions with a strong focus on sustainability and a client-centric approach to manage and grow wealth responsibly.

Deutsche Bank Private Bank has delivered robust financial growth in its domestic market, driven by strategic operational synergies, targeted expansion in key client segments, and effective adaptation to evolving client preferences.

Deutsche Bank Private Bank’s strategic initiatives in Italy have not only enhanced its financial performance but also solidified its reputation as a leader in integrating sustainability and comprehensive wealth management solutions.

UBS delivered outstanding financial performance and client satisfaction over the review period, driven by successful integration efforts, distinctive ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) offerings, and an ability to engage next-generation clients.