In the section Backstage, interesting personalities from the financial sector and beyond provide insights into their personal preferences every Wednesday.

What do you do first in the morning?

I get up between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m., depending on whether I exercise or not. If I train, I enjoy the fact that everything is still quiet. Otherwise, I start the day with an Italian espresso – no capsule coffee. That is non-negotiable for me.

What is the best part of your job?

When a client tells me that, thanks to Alpian, they invested for the first time – not because they are wealthy, but because investing finally became accessible. We talk a lot about the mass affluent segment. But behind that are real people who were ignored by traditional banks for years. Changing that is the best part of this job. Not the numbers – the people behind them.

A moment that changed your life?

Co-founding Alpian was definitely a life-changing moment. Moving from my consulting career at Boston Consulting Group to building a bank from scratch was not a calculated risk – it was a leap into the unknown. But the opportunity to create something truly innovative in Swiss banking was simply too compelling. I would do it again.

What cars do you own? Which is your favorite?

I am not a car enthusiast. My Cupra Formentor gets me from A to B – that is all I need. If you ask me about my favourite vehicle: high-performance skis, without question. There is nothing quite like carving down a ski slope.

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

I would advise my 20-year-old self to embrace discomfort more courageously and to invest time in building relationships. Real growth often happens outside one’s comfort zone, when pursuing paths one initially did not believe possible.

What are you particularly proud of?

Of what we have achieved as a team. We built a bank from the ground up, obtained a FINMA licence and today serve more than 40,000 clients. But I am also proud that we offer clients something that previously did not exist: professional wealth management that does not only start at one million Swiss francs. That is the core of what I am truly proud of.

What do you do when you have doubts?

When doubts arise, I rely on two things: data and my core team. Data provides an objective reality, reduces complexity and separates signal from noise. At the same time, I rely on open and honest conversations with my team.

What is your favorite wine?

That is a difficult question – a bit like having to choose a favorite child! I do not have one specific favorite wine, but rather choose depending on the food. I particularly enjoy Franciacorta among sparkling wines, Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo among red wines, and white wines with pronounced minerality. Wine is a true passion of mine, which is why I am currently also completing sommelier training.

What projects are you currently working on?

We recently completed the Radicant migration – operationally, it was more demanding than it may appear from the outside. Now the focus is on creating depth: expanding services and products that allow clients to use Alpian as their primary bank in every respect. We are enhancing our digital wealth management offering and meaningfully expanding our services. Our goal is clear: we want to become the leading primary bank for mass affluent clients in Switzerland.

What do you admire in other people?

I particularly admire authenticity, intellectual curiosity and humility. People who are truly themselves, constantly eager to learn and grounded despite their success inspire me.

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

Many people would probably be surprised by how varied my days are and how quickly one has to switch between topics. One moment it is about a commercial initiative, the next about product development, followed immediately by HR matters. I think people underestimate how many roles a CEO takes on.

What is your personal drive?

I am naturally very ambitious and deliberately seek out challenges, both professionally and personally. Setting ambitious goals for myself time and again motivates me to continuously evolve.

What are you afraid of?

Professionally, I fear stagnation – or rather, the feeling that one has «made it» before actually having done so. The financial industry is constantly evolving, and it is essential to remain adaptable and keep developing. Personally? Looking back one day and realising that I worked too much. That is a real tension I balance every day.

Your favorite watch brand?

I do not have a favorite brand. I mostly wear a Garmin, especially when skiing. But I also own a watch that belonged to my father and that he gave me after my graduation. It holds great emotional value for me.

Is there an unfulfilled dream you would still like to realize?

Privately, one of my life goals is to ski in all major ski resorts across the Alps. I am well on my way, but there are still many great ski resorts I have not yet had the chance to visit - especially in Austria, there are still quite a few missing.

Your best investment?

People. Always. My studies, my MBA – yes. But above all: surrounding myself with smart, committed and diverse personalities who share our vision. That has given me more than any monetary return ever could. It is simply priceless.

Gianmarco Bonaita is co-founder of Alpian and has served as CEO of the bank since 2023. Previously, he worked at Boston Consulting Group, advising financial institutions in the banking and insurance sectors. He holds an MBA with distinction from IMD and an MSc in International Management from Bocconi University.