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March 13, 2019
The true value of the rare private banker. | Credit Suisse
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The true value of the rare private banker.
Private bankers, who are leveraged by the world's wealthy as key figures in asset management, are a rare breed. Many readers may have heard of their existence and name, but what exactly do they do, and how do they operate?
Text by NAGASAKI yoshitsuguphotography by NAGAO masash
An interview with a top private banker at Credit Suisse.
Private bankers, who are leveraged by the world's wealthy as key figures in asset management, are a rare breed. Many readers may have heard of their existence and name, but what exactly do they do, and how do they operate?
We are joined by Mr. Miku Matsuki, a highly skilled private banker at Credit Suisse, one of the world's oldest banks and a top-tier institution in private banking, who also serves as the Head of Sales for Japan.
Joining Mr. Matsuki for a discussion on the essence of private banking is Mr. Jiro Hachiya, President of Face Network. He is an energetic entrepreneur who provides consulting on overall lifestyle, focusing on real estate investment projects, and has achieved a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market.
We aim to unravel the reality and true value of "private bankers" as revealed through the conversation between these two individuals.
What is a Private Banker?
Matsuki(Respects omitted below) As the name suggests, private bankers provide comprehensive financial solutions tailored to the client's life stage for asset formation. Credit Suisse, in particular, as a private bank for entrepreneurs, offers financial advice from a business perspective as well.
Hachiya(Respects omitted below) In terms of considering assets for individuals, it seems there are similarities to our work.
MatsukiThat's right. Our main clients are company owners who have both private and public personas, and they always prioritize their business. Therefore, our support often involves financial aspects and consultations on business expansion. At Credit Suisse, through our private banking services as a one-bank approach, we support aspects like financing proposals and IR activities in conjunction with our investment banking division.
One might get the impression that a private banker handles clients individually, but this does not seem to be the case at Credit Suisse. According to Mr. Matsuki, the relationship manager serves as the point of contact, and behind them is a team of specialists, including portfolio consultants who propose asset management strategies for preservation, and members with qualifications as tax accountants and CPAs who handle consultations on inheritance and business succession, all working together to meet client needs.
HachiyaI see. When you put it that way, there are similarities to our work. At Face Network, we handle properties with an average value of 400 million yen per building. Therefore, when considering asset management and formation, including inheritance and business succession, we also assist with how to incorporate real estate into a portfolio. Our stance is to help clients build the best possible assets.
Mr. Hachiya's work, which focuses on maximizing tangible assets like real estate, is also very intriguing.
Page 2.What are the strengths of global operations?
Credit Suisse
The true value of the rare private banker. (2)
What are the strengths of global operations?
MatsukiGenerally, for owners of publicly traded companies, their assets often consist primarily of their own company's stock. This means a high proportion of their total assets are in shares, with a low cash ratio. It becomes necessary to secure cash to cover taxes during future stock succession, and preserving existing cash is one of the proposals we make. Furthermore, we offer multifaceted advice aimed at increasing the company's stock value.
HachiyaWhat are the strengths of foreign financial institutions?
MatsukiApproximately 60% of stock trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange is conducted by foreign investors. For example, if your company considers global business expansion in the future, we can assist in connecting you with networks in Europe, America, and Asia, and offer advice on IR activities and sales expansion, which we believe is a unique strength of ours operating globally.
Credit Suisse is one of the world's largest banking groups, originating in Switzerland as its name suggests, and now demonstrating its presence not only in Europe and America but also in Asia.
MatsukiOverseas, as a universal bank, we can provide both banking and securities services in a one-stop manner. Therefore, we can offer comprehensive solutions that consider both business and private aspects, assisting in a wide range of areas including business, individuals, and their families.
Is the greatest strength of Credit Suisse the support provided to clients by the entire group through its globally spread network?
Swiss private banks are known for their strict adherence to confidentiality, a trait that originated partly from Switzerland's geographical advantage in protecting the assets of the wealthy from other nations. It is likely from this background that Credit Suisse, a Swiss financial institution, has earned the trust of wealthy individuals worldwide.
Page 3.When do private bankers get involved?
Credit Suisse
The true value of the rare private banker. (3)
When do private bankers get involved?
HachiyaCurrently, I don't believe we require support, but as our business expands and corporate value increases in the future, our needs will likely change. At that point, as our company grows, there may be situations where we will need to consult with you.
MatsukiPrecisely. We also offer proposals on strategies for enhancing corporate value in line with the company's growth stage. I imagine you also face many such situations in your work, Mr. Hachiya.

HachiyaI've been in business for 18 years, and during that time, I've helped numerous clients build their assets. Fundamentally, we believe we are proposing lifestyles to our clients through real estate. Therefore, we find great satisfaction in continuously providing the best possible presentations for our clients.
MatsukiIn that sense, it shares common ground with our approach of supporting clients in solving their challenges by utilizing the Credit Suisse platform. I personally view private bankers as facilitators; the client is always the main protagonist.
The profession of a private banker – could it be described as a comprehensive producer of asset management? With the background of Swiss banking, which aims to protect assets "from cradle to grave," there may be no better choice for long-term asset formation.
Mr. Hachiya himself, coming from a background in credit unions, is adept at asset management. However, when assets grow far beyond the scope of an individual, there will likely come a time when he will need to seek the expertise of professionals like Mr. Matsuki.
By gaining insight into the role of private bankers, with whom most people have limited contact, it serves as an opportunity to reconsider asset formation for the future.

Credit Suisse AG, Tokyo Branch, Credit Suisse Securities (Japan) Ltd.
Head of Sales, Private Banking Division
Miku Matsuki
Joined a domestic securities firm in 2001, transferred to its private banking department in 2005, where he began his career as a private banker. From 2009, he served high-net-worth clients at a European bank. Joined Credit Suisse AG, Tokyo Branch in 2016. Appointed Head of Sales in January 2019.

Representative Director, Face Network Co., Ltd.
Jiro Hachiya
Joined a financial institution in 1988 and handled over 500 cases in loan management for 12 years. In 2001, he established Face Network Co., Ltd. (formerly Face Network Co., Ltd.), a real estate company. In 2003, he constructed the first company-owned property in Shoto, Shibuya-ku. In 2006, he built a mixed-use building for residential and investment purposes, followed by the construction of the former company headquarters in Ohashi in 2007. In 2016, he relocated the head office to Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, to expand operations. Over the past decade, he has produced over 150 real estate investment projects. The company was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market in March 2018. He continues to energetically propose new projects to realize his vision of being a life consultant who proposes individual lifestyles.
Seminar Held: "The Culmination of Prime Minister Abe's Diplomacy at the G20 Osaka Summit and the Japanese Economy"
Credit Suisse Private Banking will be holding a seminar to provide an outlook on the future of the Japanese economy. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in his final term as President of the Liberal Democratic Party, faces the July Upper House elections with diplomatic achievements such as the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and negotiations for a peace treaty with Russia over the Northern Territories. However, these Upper House elections are anticipated to be the most challenging national election for the ruling party since the inauguration of the second Abe administration. Meanwhile, the trade friction between the US and China is increasingly resembling a contest for next-generation hegemony, and its impact on the global economy cannot be ignored. Against this backdrop of uncertain domestic and international affairs and economic conditions, Mr. Shinichi Ichikawa, Chief Market Strategist at Credit Suisse Securities (Japan) Ltd., will provide an explanation titled "The Culmination of Prime Minister Abe's Diplomacy at the G20 Osaka Summit and the Japanese Economy."
Additionally, the first part of the seminar will introduce the history and characteristics of Swiss private banking, as well as the services that Credit Suisse has provided to the world's wealthy for over 160 years.
Content:
Seminar Part 1: Introduction to Swiss Private Banking
Seminar Part 2: The Culmination of Prime Minister Abe's Diplomacy at the G20 Osaka Summit and the Japanese Economy
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Venue: Ark Mori Building East Wing 37F, 1-12-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Time: Doors open 18:00, Seminar starts 18:30, Ends approx. 21:00
*Swiss wine and refreshments will be served after the seminar.




