Since WHVP was founded in 1991, international wealth management has been transformed by technology, regulation, and globalization. But after 35 years, what stands out just as much is what has not changed: the reasons U.S. investors look to Switzerland, the importance of personal relationships, and the principles that have guided WHVP from one generation to the next.

In 1991, the financial world looked very different. Communication was slower. Banking relied heavily on paper. Access to financial information was limited, and many of the digital tools investors now take for granted did not exist. It was also the year WHVP began its story in Adliswil, Switzerland.

Thirty-five years later, almost everything around us has changed. Yet many of the reasons our clients come to us have remained remarkably familiar.

The World Changed. Many Client Concerns Did Not.

Technology has transformed financial services. Information that once required specialist access is now available within seconds. Clients can communicate with their wealth managers from almost anywhere, access portfolio information digitally, and follow global markets in real time.

At the same time, international wealth management has become considerably more complex. Regulation has expanded, particularly for U.S. persons holding assets internationally. Families have become more globally mobile. Their financial lives may span several countries, currencies, banks, and professional partners.

But despite all this change, the fundamental motivations of many of our U.S. clients are strikingly similar to those we encountered decades ago. They want to diversify internationally. They want to reduce their dependence on the U.S. market and U.S. dollar. They value financial privacy. And they want access to Switzerland as a stable, well-regulated, and internationally respected financial center. The environment surrounding those goals has changed enormously. The goals themselves have not.

More Information, But Not Always More Clarity

One of the greatest changes since 1991 is the sheer amount of information available to investors. That is overwhelmingly positive. But more information does not necessarily mean better decisions. Investors still need to determine what is relevant to their individual situation, distinguish long-term developments from short-term noise, and understand how different investments, currencies, and jurisdictions fit together.

This is also why education has become an increasingly important part of WHVP's work. In recent years, we have invested significantly in sharing our knowledge online through articles, videos, webinars, podcasts, and social media. Technology allows us to reach and educate people in ways that would have been unimaginable when WHVP was founded. Technology remains a tool. Judgment, experience, and personal relationships remain human.

Our Promise Has Not Changed

Just as the fundamental concerns of our clients have remained surprisingly consistent, so have the principles behind how we serve them. Our promise is built around independence, transparency, and putting the client's interests first. We believe wealth management should begin with understanding the individual: their circumstances, goals, concerns, family, and plans for the future. We believe investment decisions should be made independently and without being driven by proprietary products or commissions. And we believe clients should understand what they own, why they own it, and what they are paying for the service they receive.

The financial world has become more complicated since 1991. Those principles have not. In fact, we believe they have become more important.

35 Years of Evolution

While our principles have remained consistent, WHVP itself has never stood still.

Founded in Adliswil in 1991, the company moved to Oerlikon in 2006 as the business continued to develop. Another important milestone followed in 2011, when WHVP registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a Registered Investment Adviser. This formalized our commitment to serving U.S. clients within the U.S. regulatory framework and became an important part of the specialization that defines WHVP today.

In 2020, WHVP entered its next chapter when the company was handed from its founding generation to the second generation. Such a transition inevitably brings change. New leadership brings different ideas, priorities, and ways of working. But our objective was never to reinvent WHVP simply for the sake of doing things differently. Instead, the question was: What should we preserve, and where do we need to evolve?

The years that followed brought another significant regulatory milestone. In 2021, WHVP obtained its FINMA authorization, reflecting the increasingly comprehensive regulatory environment surrounding independent wealth management in Switzerland. We continued investing in technology, expanded our digital communication and educational activities, and developed new ways of reaching U.S. investors while maintaining the personal approach of an independent, owner-led firm.

And in 2026, 35 years after the company was founded, WHVP moved once again - this time to the heart of Zurich.

From Adliswil to Oerlikon to central Zurich. From the founding generation to the second. From letters and telephone calls to video meetings, podcasts, and digital portfolio access. From a very different regulatory environment to being both SEC-registered and FINMA-authorized. A great deal has changed. The principles at the center of WHVP have not.

Continuity Is About People

Thirty-five years of history is not created by a company name or a logo. It is created by people.

We are particularly proud of the continuity within our team. One of our colleagues has been part of WHVP since 2002 - more than two decades of our 35-year history. Another has been with us for more than a decade. That kind of longevity matters in a business built on trust.

Clients do not simply work with an institution. They build relationships with people who come to understand their circumstances over many years. In some cases, those relationships eventually extend to the next generation of a family.

Our team today combines that deep experience with younger professionals bringing new perspectives, new skills, and genuine excitement about where the industry is heading. For us, that combination is an important part of preserving continuity without standing still.

35 Years of WHVP, in Motion

As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, our new image film offers a look at WHVP today, the people behind the firm and the perspective we bring to international wealth management.

The Next Generation of Wealth

The same question increasingly applies to our clients. Over the coming years, significant amounts of wealth will pass from one generation to the next. Younger generations are digitally connected, internationally mobile, and accustomed to having information immediately available. Their expectations will be different.

But the fundamental questions surrounding wealth will remain familiar: How should it be preserved? How should it be invested? How can risks be diversified? And what should that wealth ultimately accomplish for the individual, the family, and future generations?

Preserving wealth across generations is therefore about more than transferring assets. It requires continuity, communication, and an understanding of the people behind the portfolio.

Looking Toward the Next 35 Years

An anniversary naturally encourages us to look backward. But longevity is not about staying the same. It is about knowing what should change - and what should not.

The financial world of 2061 will almost certainly look very different from the one we know today. Technology will continue to transform our industry. Regulation will evolve. Clients and their families will become even more internationally connected. WHVP will evolve with them.

We are fortunate to have a team that combines decades of experience with a younger generation bringing new perspectives, energy, and excitement about what lies ahead.

What we intend to carry forward is the same promise that has guided WHVP throughout its history: to understand our clients, think independently, remain transparent, and help families navigate the complexities of managing wealth internationally.

To our clients, partners, colleagues, and everyone who has been part of WHVP's story since 1991: thank you for your trust. We look forward to the next chapter.

If you would like to learn more about how WHVP supports U.S. investors seeking international diversification and Swiss wealth management, we invite you to schedule a free consultation with our team.

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, tax advice, legal advice, or an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security. It reflects WHVP's views as of the date of publication and may change without notice. Investing involves risks, including the possible loss of principal. International investing may involve additional currency, political, regulatory, liquidity, and custody risks. WHVP AG is regulated in Switzerland by FINMA and is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration or licensing does not imply endorsement and does not guarantee investment outcomes. U.S. persons should consult qualified tax and legal professionals regarding their individual circumstances.