STANDARD PRIVATE BANK/ WEALTH & INVESTMENT

Overall

Scoring nine points or more in each of the five archetypes secures Standard’s extensive wealth grouping as the 2017 Top Wealth Manager of the Year, while it also bags second place in the Top Banking Services award. This is a huge organisation with strong African and international reach, but from its responses it is clear that it manages to integrate its various operating units seamlessly to offer clients a holistic, full-spectrum service. It also offers exceptional art and philanthropic capabilities.

What we say

Standard consistently focuses on the client and we’ve long been impressed by the personal touch it brings, preparing clients for psychological and emotional issues they might face as well as financial ones. It also runs leadership academies for clients and their children. It lists a host of other initiatives, many focusing on the family members of clients, that makes it stand out. We were particularly impressed by its response to our internationally wealthy family archetype. It went into depth, describing not only the options on offer and implications of each, but also how assets held in various jurisdictions might be affected by tax and hereditary laws, supplemented by proposals on what to do in each instance, for example to improve tax implications. Frankly, there are no weaknesses to its offering, and a third-place ranking in the People’s Choice survey shows it has succeeded with its clientcentric focus.

Eligibility

● Private bank: Income of R1m/year. ● Wealth & Investment: Potential investable assets of more than $1m/year.