ABBL and Febelfin bring together private bankers for cross-border exchange in Brussels

Opening remarks and key insights

The lunch opened with welcome words from Georges Bley, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Kingdom of Belgium.

Michael Anseeuw, Chairman of Febelfin, followed with remarks on the evolving landscape of private banking, particularly how institutions can adapt to changing client expectations and increasing regulatory demands.

The main address was delivered by Ambassador Nicolas Mackel, Permanent Representative of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the European Union. He reflected on the EU’s path towards greater strategic autonomy, especially in the context of current geopolitical tensions and the transatlantic trade relationship.

Ambassador Mackel highlighted three key priorities to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness:

• Simplifying EU legislation to make the business environment more efficient;
• Advancing the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) to foster capital formation and deepen European capital markets;
• Reinforcing competition within the Single Market to stimulate growth and innovation.

Topics of discussion

The lunch offered participants an opportunity to engage directly with the Ambassador and exchange views on issues specific to private banking.
Discussions focused on:

• How to attract and retain the next generation of clients;
• The growing competition from family offices and the need for a level regulatory playing field, particularly in compliance matters;
• The integration of artificial intelligence into daily business practices to enhance efficiency and client service;
• The implications of recent European developments on the sector’s strategic priorities.
• The increasingly complex role of the private banker in the current regulatory environment.