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.

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

Western Europe’s best for alternative investments, LGT Private Banking, has seen clients vote with their feet over the past year. It attracted over $2 billion in client subscriptions for alternative investment solutions from October 2023 to September 2024, strong evidence of its success and growth in this area.

Santander Private Banking has global leadership in banking for high-net-worth individuals (HNWs) and this is largely driven from Europe – especially Western Europe – where it is the region’s best private bank. Its growth in this region is in large part thanks to an ability to leverage the group’s presence in its key markets while enhancing its value proposition for clients in those markets.

Novum Capital Partners has swiftly emerged as a dynamic player in the Swiss wealth management sector, distinguished by specialised service and a sophisticated approach tailored to ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families.

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.

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.

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.

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

Succession planning is a strong focus and a global practice at Lombard Odier but it’s rooted in Europe, and this year it is Western Europe’s best for succession planning. The wealth-planning team comprises a group of 60 experts worldwide, a large portion of them based in Western Europe – which reflects Lombard Odier’s group headquarters in Switzerland. The goal is to nurture the firm’s capacity to deliver specialised and comprehensive services for its clients.

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.

Julius Baer delivered standout services in the Channel Islands during the review period, backed by a team of 120 specialists in Guernsey.

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.

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.

Julius Baer’s global leadership in discretionary portfolio management (DPM) is centred on its base in Western Europe, where it wins this year’s best discretionary portfolio management award.

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.

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.

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.

LGT Private Banking’s flagship offering is the Princely Strategy, which allocates 56% of its investments strategically into alternatives, reflecting a robust commitment to this asset class.

BNP Paribas Wealth Management, Western Europe’s best for investment research, has numerous advantages in this field – ranging from a vast array of research documents and tailored investment solutions to a strong sustainability focus.

HSBC’s strategic focus on the ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clientele in Switzerland has yielded measurable progress, characterised by accelerated growth and operational enhancements.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.