Every week, interesting personalities from the world of finance and beyond share their personal preferences in our section Backstage.

What do you do first in the morning?

Information is crucial: I get a quick overview of what has happened in the last few hours. I also make a point of looking at news apps from other regions oft he world (Asia, Middle East). Our view is often too Europe-centric.

What is the best thing about your job?

The fact that so many interesting people visit our bank every day. UBP is a very international bank. These encounters are a highlight for me.

A moment that changed your life?

Not one moment, but four: the birth of my children.

What cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

As a family, we need some space, so we have a VW Multivan. I'm open to new experiences and recently switched to a fully electric Volvo. As I spend a lot of time in England and have always appreciated the British lifestyle, I'm quite certain I would enjoy driving an Aston Martin as well.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Travel a lot and discover the world. Find an exciting university and invest a lot of time in a good education. Spend time with people who have a positive outlook on life and want to make a difference.

What are you particularly proud of?

A «golden» sailing ship that stands on my desk, which I recieved from a customer on my recent trip to Kuwait. I interpret this as a sign that this customer is very satisfied. It has great symbolic value for me.

What was your biggest defeat?

A little over 10 years ago, Wegelin Bank went under in a tax dispute with the US – I was the youngest partner at the bank at the time. It was a painful experience.

What is your favorite wine?

Actually, any bottle of wine that you drink with good friends! But a top Bordeaux is never a bad choice.

What projects are you currently working on?

Privately: I am organizing the final details of a trip to Argentina with my family. Professionally: I am thinking about how the «magic formula» for good organic growth in banking can be further improved.

What is most important to you at the moment?

Not just now, but always: living up to the responsibility I carry. Above all, it means being a role model and never asking of others what I am not willing to demonstrate myself.

What would be the biggest surprise for someone who had to do your job for a day?

Seeing the wide range of people I meet every day: customers from all over the world, artists, entrepreneurs, CEOs of other banks, employees from offices abroad...

What is your personal drive?

Contact with people – and satisfied customers.

What are you afraid of?

That I won't have enough time to read all the books in my library. Whenever a new and exciting biography of Shakespeare comes out, I can't resist buying it.

Your favorite watch brand?

I spent my childhood and youth in bilingual Biel – this had a profound influence on me. I feel an emotional connection to every watch made in Biel…

What do your employees value most about you?

Counter question: What distinguishes one bank from another? Mainly the employees – I take time for my employees and take a genuine interest in their concerns.

Your best investment?

The purchase of an 18th-century Italian violin – also from Cremona, but not a Stradivari…

Adrian Künzi has been Head of UBP Zürich since March 2018 and Head of WM European Markets since 2020. He was previously CEO of Notenstein La Roche and spent over ten years at Wegelin & Co., prior to which he worked at Goldman Sachs. He holds a master's degree and doctorate in economics and business administration (University of St. Gallen) and a master's degree in management studies (University of Cambridge).