UBS Promises Research with a Difference with Circle One
Posted by Colin Lambert. Last updated: May 30, 2022
UBS has launched UBS Circle One, a new digital platform that the bank says brings the best of its global ecosystem to clients, by connecting them to experts, thought leaders and actionable ideas. The bank says the new ecosystem “will soon provide an ideal space for investors to connect, discover new insights and exchange ideas on a global scale”.
Circle One will bring clients new daily content based on latest UBS CIO House Views made digestible through short videos, podcasts and interactive live webinars on a daily and weekly basis, complementing traditional investment reports and physical events. Clients will also be offered timely actionable ideas and investment opportunities at their fingertips, where they can then choose to invest or trade through our mobile banking app.
There will be new features added to the app monthly, the bank says, in the next phase, clients will be able to connect with each other and to experts across the globe in “circles” of interest groups on topics they are passionate about from investing, wealth planning, family advisory to sustainability, art, philanthropy etc.
Content will include daily insights; podcasts that summarises key market moves overnight as well as macro and sector-related commentary; a two-way dialogue with Kelvin Tay, regional CIO, directly addressing client questions, bringing clarity to market events; and a livestream highlighting the key points of CIO Live, sharing investment recommendations, opportunities and challenges.
Also available will be Collector Insights, which the bank says will be a glimpse into the passion, purpose and legacy of global collectors, as well as Game Changers, a forum where industry experts and leaders discuss game-changing ideas that will shape the future and investment landscape – including “deep dives” with “big name” speakers, and experts across various fields such as authors, academics, and analysts.
Phase one of UBS Circle One will be first launched in Asia Pacific. It is planned to be progressively rolled out to the various regions including the US and Europe next year, the bank says. The app was co-created with 100 digitally savvy clients in Hong Kong and Singapore who provided valuable insights in finetuning its features and usability, it adds.
“UBS Circle One is all about people, content and connections, bringing the best of UBS’s global ecosystem to our clients,” says August Hatecke, co-head UBS Global Wealth Management APAC. “Our UBS House View drives the investment strategy for $3 trillion of invested assets globally and through UBS Circle One, we bring the latest investment views and solutions to our wealth management clients. Singapore continues to grow as a global wealth management hub as well as a centre of innovation and talent.”
Dorothy Hill, UBS head of ecosystems and Global Wealth Management Digital Ventures, adds, “Looking at how much time people spend on their mobile phones, this is where we want to be with UBS Circle One – always at our clients’ fingertips anytime and anywhere. Today, an exciting journey starts, and I am looking forward to hearing from our clients about how we can serve them with relevant insights to make UBS Circle One their go-to for thought leadership”.
Meanwhile, Amy Lo, co-head UBS Global Wealth Management APAC, says, “UBS Circle One is not just a mobile app, it is our key differentiator and an extension of our wide array of digital innovations such as UBS Advisor Messaging, Direct Investment Insights etc. Digital is in the DNA of our business. Our Asia clients are digitally savvy, and they enjoy relevant, personalised, on-time and seamless investing. UBS Circle One brings us further ahead in this digital age, offering our clients insights depending on their interests.”