Inspired by an exclusive interview with Eric G. Sarasin, Chair of TIGER21 Switzerland
By Connect Group

In an era where algorithms write investment strategies and automation trims the margins of human interaction, Eric G. Sarasin reminds us of something essential:

wealth - real wealth - has always been about people.

Eric Sarasin doesn’t just come from a banking family. He comes from a legacy. His ancestors helped build Switzerland’s economic foundations in the 19th century; not from behind a desk, but by backing railways and hydroelectric plants that powered an entire nation forward. Today, as Chair of TIGER21 Switzerland and a purpose-driven investor, he continues that tradition of stewardship. But with a twist: he's doing it on his own terms, with values that often cut against the grain of today’s finance industry.

“We were entrepreneurs before we were bankers,” Sarasin says. And that mindset still guides him.

From Legacy Banker to Independent Builder

Eric spent three decades in private banking, navigating everything from the boom years to the bruising fallout of 2008. When Bank Sarasin was sold to the Safra Group in 2013, it could have been the end of a chapter. Instead, it became a turning point.

He left behind the name on the door and chose to focus on what mattered to him most: investing in innovation, mentoring next-generation leaders, and aligning capital with purpose.

Today, he’s deeply involved in private equity, backing companies at the cutting edge of AI, fintech, and blockchain. But make no mistake, his compass hasn’t changed. Technology, to him, is a tool. The real value still lies in relationships, responsibility, and trust.

“Some industries will disappear. Others will rise,” he notes. “But trusted relationships will always matter. Even in a digital world.”

When Wealth Loses Its Soul

For Sarasin, the modern banking world has drifted too far from its roots. Compliance and profit margins now dominate conversations that used to be about long-term trust. Client relationships have become transactional. The moral and ethical fabric, once woven into the DNA of private banking, has frayed.

“Private banking today has lost the moral and ethical component,” he says bluntly. “Clients are no longer at the centre.”

He believes the future belongs to those who can marry the best of both worlds: innovation with integrity.

Philanthropy Is Not a Side Project

To Sarasin, giving isn’t something you do after you’ve “made it.” It’s part of how you do business from the beginning. Every investment decision he makes goes through a lens:

is this good for people? Does it help the planet? Will it create real, lasting value?

This approach isn’t abstract. It shapes his role at TIGER21 Switzerland, where he mentors family office leaders navigating succession, legacy, and wealth transfer. And it shows in the causes he supports—especially in health, culture, and human rights.

“You should be able to invest in companies that do good,” he says. “One doesn’t exclude the other.”

Switzerland: At a Turning Point

As the global financial landscape shifts, Switzerland—once the fortress of quiet wealth—is changing too. Sarasin sees both risk and opportunity. “Investment banking is dead here,” he states. “Wealth management is now the backbone of the financial centre.”

He points to the quiet rise of family offices (over 400 and counting) as proof that the model is evolving. More families are choosing to manage wealth independently, with more intentionality and ethical oversight. And they’re not just parking money—they’re building ecosystems for long-term impact. Alternative assets—from venture capital to crypto—are now centre stage. But to Sarasin, these are just tools. The real question is: What are we building with them?

Building a Legacy That Lasts

At the heart of Sarasin’s philosophy is a call to return. Not to the past, but to the principles that built it: stewardship, responsibility, long-term thinking.

Finance, he argues, needs to get back to what it does best - not just multiplying capital, but multiplying meaning.

“Finance is not just about returns,” he says. “It’s about relationships. It’s about responsibility. It’s about using capital to create something bigger than profit.” And that, perhaps, is his most important lesson: True legacy isn’t written on a balance sheet. It’s written in values.

Key Lessons from Eric G. Sarasin
✓ Legacy is built through values—not just valuation.
✓ In a digital age, trust matters more than ever.
✓ Philanthropy and business can (and should) work hand in hand.
✓ The future of wealth lies in family offices and ethical innovation.
✓ Switzerland’s edge will depend on purpose, not just precision.

In an industry obsessed with speed and scale, Eric G. Sarasin offers something rare: perspective. And perhaps that’s exactly what wealth (and the world) needs more of right now.