Information checkedInformation unaudited Information geprüft Information ungeprüft Highlights, heroism, and new heights
Whether in Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, or Dubai and Abu Dhabi: This year brought many highlights and challenges across the LLB world.
By Cornelia Zeh
2024 was a year filled with highs, challenges, and heroic achievements – not just for our bank, but for every individual on our team. We spoke with Gabriel Brenna, Group CEO; René Zwicky, CEO of LLB Schweiz; Lukas Krenn, Head of Private Banking Middle East; Robert Löw, Chairman of the Board of Management of LLB Österreich; and Thomas Henk, Branch Manager for Germany, about what inspired them and their hopes for the future. Discover why teleportation might suddenly become the next office trend and which New Yearʼs resolutions, despite all caution, still find a place in peopleʼs minds.
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“The unique LLB Crew Night
aboard the Sonnenkönigin remains
in my memory."
What was your biggest highlight of the year?
There were so many highlights in 2024 that we are almost a bit spoiled. Strategically, the opening of our three locations in Germany – Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Munich – at the start of the year. Operationally, the continued excellent progress of the LLB Group in terms of growth and profitability. And emotionally, the unforgettable LLB Crew Night aboard the Sonnenkönigin in Bregenz – a beautiful evening filled with happy faces that will be remembered for a long time.
What challenges did you successfully overcome last year?
There were several challenges as well this past year. On the one hand, the faster-than-expected decline in interest rates for CHF, EUR, and USD, which is putting pressure on us as well as other banks. Additionally, the ever-growing flood of regulations remains a significant challenge for the entire organisation, which would much rather focus on client- and results-oriented activities. The tightening of sanctions against Russia and rising refinancing costs also added to the yearʼs challenges.
What are you especially proud of?
I am proud of the very positive development of the LLB Group over the past ten years and, above all, of the incredible implementation strength of our organisation. While we can still be too complex and cumbersome at times – when it really matters, when a decision is made, everyone pulls together, finds solutions, and implements them efficiently and consistently. This continues to inspire me and truly sets us apart from our competitors.
What are your goals for the coming year?
Next year will be economically challenging, especially due to falling interest rates and the worsening economic and geopolitical environment. Demonstrating that we can succeed even in a difficult market environment is undoubtedly one of our goals. Strategically, we aim to prove that our growth initiatives in Germany and Switzerland are thriving and that we are successfully completing the integration of ZKB Österreich.
Whatʼs on your wish list for the coming year (or do you have a New Yearʼs resolution)?
Unfortunately, Iʼve rarely managed to keep New Yearʼs resolutions, so I donʼt make them anymore – itʼs just too exhausting. I do have many wishes, though. One of them is that everyone feels proud to work at LLB and approaches their work with passion and joy. And if thatʼs not the case yet, I hope they take steps to change that. Our job demands a lot from us, so it should also be enjoyable!
If you could have a superpower for next year, what would it be and why?
My modest “earthly” powers are more than enough for me.
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“LLB Österreich can look back on
another successful year."
What was your biggest highlight of the year?
LLB Österreich can look back on another successful year. Even after 15 years at LLB Österreich, I remain impressed by our unwavering “client DNA” and the exceptional quality we deliver across all areas. Of course, the acquisition of ZKB Österreich was a particularly special milestone.
What challenges did you successfully overcome last year?
The challenging market conditions in real estate and increasingly stringent regulatory standards in the Eastern European business have undoubtedly been the most pressing challenges for us. We are focusing on the essentials, working consistently on implementation, and mastering these challenges as effectively as possible.
What are you especially proud of?
First and foremost, the entire LLB Österreich team, closely followed by the truly outstanding collaboration with our colleagues at the parent bank – we have fostered a genuine sense of togetherness. Of course, this yearʼs highlight is the successful bid in the competition for ZKB Österreich. It marks our Groupʼs third M&A success in Austria, a truly remarkable achievement.
What are your goals for the coming year?
To further strengthen our position as the number 1 asset management bank in Austria: enhancing our strengths, driving growth and quality, and seamlessly integrating the new ZKB team and clients into the LLB Group. Our goal is nothing less than achieving the best of both worlds.
Whatʼs on your wish list for the coming year (or do you have a New Yearʼs resolution)?
Iʼm looking forward to spending more time in Salzburg, with its stunning mountains and lakes. There are so many wonderful ski tours and hidden lake spots to discover.
If you could have a superpower for next year, what would it be and why?
Vienna to Salzburg is 300 km. I wouldnʼt mind being Clark Kent, aka Superman – a quick flight there and back sounds perfect.
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“I hope that I will have much more
time for clients again."
What was your biggest highlight of the year?
I joined this fantastic team only just in April, and that alone was a highlight. However, our offsite meeting was particularly memorable, since it gave us the opportunity to talk with all our colleagues about our ambitious growth targets, the values guiding our work together, teamwork across locations, and co-creation within the competence circles – and to reach meaningful agreements.
What challenges did you successfully overcome last year?
LLB is not yet widely recognised in the German private banking market. This means that each of us served as an active brand ambassador for Liechtenstein and LLB. Naturally, we utilised major events, networks, and personal contacts to enhance our visibility. I am confident that, thanks to the outstanding efforts of all our colleagues and the communications and marketing team in Vaduz, we have made significant progress.
What are you especially proud of?
Working together within the Group, across our locations, and within our local teams is incredibly important to me. I am convinced that we need the strengths and potential of every individual to ensure the success of our journey – and this must not be limited by departmental boundaries. The support we received from so many colleagues in Vaduz has been sensational! A heartfelt thank you once again to everyone! After all, 1+1 is clearly much more than 2.
What are your goals for the coming year?
Of course, we aim to continue strengthening our teamwork, creating exceptional client experiences, and significantly further increasing our visibility in Germany. At its core, however, all of this serves a single goal: growth. We want to demonstrate our expertise and performance to clients and inspire their enthusiasm for LLB.
Whatʼs on your wish list for the coming year (or do you have a New Yearʼs resolution)?
Personally, I hope that I will have much more time for clients again. I enjoy telling clients and partners about Liechtenstein, getting them excited about LLB, and finding solutions for our clientsʼ needs together. I look forward to every meeting with clients and potential clients. They give me energy, pleasure, and strength for the equally necessary further development work of the LLB team here in Germany.
If you could have a superpower for next year, what would it be and why?
Besides health, peace, and joy for all of us… Iʼd love to give the entire LLB Group a big embrace – because so many colleagues have worked tirelessly and gone above and beyond to ensure the success of LLB in Germany. For that, I simply cannot say THANK YOU enough.
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“In the second half of the year,
I was especially delighted by the
launch of the new teams in Zurich
and St. Gallen."
What was your biggest highlight of the year?
There are so many highlights. At the start of the year, I count the openness with which I was welcomed as the new CEO and the opportunity to get to know the LLB crew as the biggest highlights – starting with roundtables in Switzerland and the Group Forum in Vaduz. In the second half of the year, I was especially delighted by the launch of the new teams in Zurich and St. Gallen.
What challenges did you successfully overcome last year?
Three times “re”… recalibration, recruitment, refinancing. All of these topics were, and continue to be, crucial for the future of LLB Schweiz and its positioning in the market.
What are you especially proud of?
The significant increase in our external visibility. We are now recognised as a serious competitor in the market, and our dynamic, modern, and positive market presence is resonating well.
What are your goals for the coming year?
Enhancing the spirit and culture within the LLB Schweiz team, achieving satisfied clients, driving broad and qualitative growth, and – especially within the management team – fostering stronger ownership and leadership to establish LLB Schweiz as a trustworthy, modern, and pragmatic financial institution.
Whatʼs on your wish list for the coming year (or do you have a New Yearʼs resolution)?
Personally, I aim to focus more on acting rather than reacting and to set the agenda with even greater self-determination.
If you could have a superpower for next year, what would it be and why?
Teleportation, so I can beam back and forth within our market area at any time.
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“With the right tools, we can achieve
our goals even without superpower!"
What was your biggest highlight of the year?
We successfully launched a new LLB product that is perfectly tailored to our local clients while delivering strong returns for the bank. This achievement was possible only thanks to the excellent collaboration of all the colleagues involved.
What challenges did you successfully overcome last year?
The high interest rate environment and the growing conflicts in the region continued to pose challenges for us. Portfolio leverage is an important source of income for us, but is rarely utilised in uncertain times with high interest rates. Nevertheless, we managed to maintain our turnover despite a lower volume of business.
What are you especially proud of?
The hard work my team delivers every day for our clients and the positive atmosphere we maintain in the office, even in a challenging environment
What are your goals for the coming year?
To be present even during these particularly challenging times for our clients and to provide them with the best possible advice and service.
Whatʼs on your wish list for the coming year (or do you have a New Yearʼs resolution)?
Selfishly, Iʼd say “lower interest rates”, but I suspect that wonʼt win me many friends at the bank.
If you could have a superpower for next year, what would it be and why?
Batman doesnʼt need superpowers. With the right tools, we can achieve our goals just the same!