While investors in the past largely relied on the recommendations of their primary bank, today there is a growing demand for an independent, holistic assessment. Especially in an increasingly volatile and complex market environment, a thorough analysis of the existing investment strategy or a critical review before planned investments is more important than ever. Many investors take excessive risks during market highs and act too cautiously during market lows. This behavior results in missed long-term return opportunities. Additionally, many portfolios are insufficiently diversified, often overweighted in the Swiss market or too concentrated in specific sectors, regions, or asset classes.

Typical weaknesses in securities portfolios
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1. Cost structure
Hidden fees, custody charges, and management fees directly impact net returns. A precise analysis of the total expense ratio (TER) and the value for money is essential. It is important to note: price alone is not enough—transparency, quality of execution, and service must also be considered.

2. Investment strategy
A successful investment strategy is based on individual risk capacity, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. In practice, however, these parameters are often outdated or were never professionally analyzed. Lack of strategy, hasty purchases or sales, and a short-term investment horizon lead to avoidable mistakes. Especially when managing multiple asset management mandates, a consolidated overall view is necessary to avoid redundancies, concentration risks, and inefficient allocations.

3. Diversification
Many portfolios are overly focused on bank-owned products or contain opaque concentration risks. Balanced diversification across asset classes, regions, and sectors is key to risk minimization and long-term performance. An independent, bank-neutral analysis brings transparency to the portfolio structure.

4. Customized solutions over off-the-shelf products
In our experience, the most effective and flexible solutions do not come from the standardized product ranges of large banks, but from independent asset managers who focus on individual strategies and tailored concepts. These can also integrate tax considerations and succession planning, resulting in a comprehensive optimization.

A structured and independent investment review is worthwhile—whether to optimize existing assets or as a starting point for a new investment. Knowing your investment goals, risk profile, and overall situation allows you to make well-informed decisions—independently, individually, and with foresight.

Top 10 questions to ask during a portfolio review:

1. What risks does my portfolio carry—especially concentration risks?
2. Is my portfolio sufficiently and appropriately diversified?
3. What is my consolidated financial situation?
4. Does the investment strategy align with my investment horizon, risk capacity, and risk tolerance?
5. How independently is my portfolio structured?
6. Is my portfolio actively managed with a market-oriented approach?
7. What direct and indirect costs are incurred?
8. What has been the historical performance, and how realistic are future expectations?
9. How does inflation impact my real returns in the medium and long term?
10. Is my portfolio structured in a tax-efficient manner?

For an initial, free, and non-binding informational consultation, please contact us by email at kontaktanfrage@vpz.ch or call our free VPZ hotline at 0800 822 288 to schedule an appointment directly with your advisory specialist. Comprehensive planning with foresight coordinates your situation, identifies optimization opportunities, and ensures long-term success.