Management Consulting
Dr. Strauss & Partners
About the Company
Strategic Partners in Financial Excellence
We are a management consulting firm supporting financial services organizations with strategic advisory and operational implementation assistance. Our clients are banks, asset & wealth management companies, as well as other organizations from the financial services area. Geographically we focus on Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region) as well as Central & Eastern Europe (CEE). Our partners are seasoned experts who are dedicated to deploy their vast experience and knowledge to deliver sustainable results for clients.
Our Core Capabilities Include:
Strategy:
We help our clients review, develop and execute business strategies that align with their vision, market opportunities, and competitive landscape.
Operational Excellence:
We empower our clients to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness through process optimization, cost-base adjustments, digital transformation, and change management.
Project Excellence:
We assist clients in their implementation efforts by providing project and/or program management support such as planning and methodological skills.
Features & Benefits
Benefits working with us
Expertise & Experience
We possess an in-depth understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by financial institutions. This expertise enables us to provide guidance that aligns with relevant client needs – regarding both strategic and operational topics. We capitalize on our long-term and deep industry knowledge and the proven ability to successfully deliver projects and ultimately impactful results.
Customer Understanding
We understand the customer needs in our area of expertise - which are diverse, multi-layered and situative. We are able to respond promptly and effectively to the evolving business requirements. We focus on specific domains and topics, ensuring that our clients receive the most specialized and effective guidance available.
Future-oriented & visionary
We sense the future trends of finance and thus are able to provide the support needed by clients to timely adapt strategy and business models to stay relevant. We stay in touch with the latest banking trends and can help clients to be one step ahead of competition.
Key challenges of banking & financial services industry
The banking and financial services industry faces a multitude of challenges in today’s dynamic and competitive environment – key areas include:
Banking (Retail & Corporate)
Customer Expectations: Customers are increasingly demanding digital and convenient banking experiences. They expect to be able to access their accounts and conduct transactions anytime, anywhere, and on any device.
Competition from Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs): The rise of NBFIs, fintech companies, and big tech players is disrupting traditional banking models, offering more innovative and customer-centric solutions. Financial institutions must differentiate themselves through unique value propositions, strategic partnerships, and a focus on customer-centricity to remain competitive.
Regulatory Capital Requirements: Regulations, such as Basel III, impose stringent capital buffer and liquidity obligations on financial institutions to ensure stability and mitigate risks. Managing these requirements effectively while maintaining shareholder returns poses a significant challenge.
Wealth / Asset Management & Private Banking
Investor preferences: Investors are becoming increasingly demanding, seeking more transparency, customization, and ESG-focus. This puts pressure on institutions to adapt products and services to meet these expectations.
Technology disruption: New technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain, are disrupting the asset management industry. This is forcing institutions to adapt their processes and invest in new technologies in order to remain competitive.
Market volatility: Wealth managers must be able to navigate market volatility and protect clients’ wealth. This requires a sound investment strategy and a robust risk management framework.
Fee pressure: Wealth and asset managers are facing increasing pressure to lower their fees. This is due to several factors, including the rise of low-cost index funds and the increasing number of do-it-yourself investors using cost-effiicient platforms.
Overall Challenges
Regulatory compliance: Institutions must adhere to a complex and ever-changing regulatory framework, including Basel III, MiFID II, and GDPR. Compliance costs and the need to adapt to new regulations can strain resources and limit innovation.
Digital transformation: Customer expectations are shifting towards digital banking solutions, necessitating institutions to invest in digital channels, mobile applications, and data analytics capabilities. This digital transformation requires significant upfront investment and ongoing maintenance.
Cybersecurity threats: Financial institutions are persistently prime targets for cyberattacks due to the vast amounts of sensitive customer data and financial information they hold. Investing in robust cybersecurity measures, including data protection, access controls, and incident response capabilities, is crucial to safeguard against data breaches and maintain customer trust.
Contact us to discuss those and potential other topics relevant for your company.