“I think it gives us a wider understanding of risk and value,” says Comini. “I have seen many technical experts in banking who are devoted to a particular fund or asset class, yet don’t really connect to the opportunity or risk it represents to the investor in the real world. Aequitum translates between those two world views.” Bernasconi takes this point further: “There is a lot more to the world than just money. As we saw in 2016, political, regulatory, macro changes can have broad repercussions – something that an investment algorithm knows nothing about. We bring that wider perspective.” And when they’re not working – what inspires them? “It may sound strange,” says Bernasconi, “but we are inspired by the same thing outside the office as in it: family. We are both devoted to bringing up our children, passing on values and culture, giving them an education about life – normal, everyday life. And life isn’t just about money.” Comini adds, “I also love sailing, especially in the Mediterranean… but there I’m also thinking about the way families move into the future. It’s all navigation, choosing a direction and keeping to it, adjusting for the changing winds and currents. And every boat handles differently, just as every family is different.”
Looking around the office as we speak, it is impossible to miss the colourful, exciting artwork that lines the walls, including a remarkable three-dimensional construction. Again, not what people expect from a solid Swiss financial institution… so is it simply personal taste? Or is there a message? “We’ve come this far with just two people,” says Comini, “but we are going to grow. We want to make it clear that Aequitum is a philosophy that goes beyond just Gianmaria and Marco. We are building something for the future: a way of doing business based on relationships and trust. We want to inspire, not just by performance, but by ideas and vision – so the art reminds us that life is colourful and three-dimensional, with different facets, depending on which side you see it from. Like us, it is open… not flat.”
It’s all navigation, choosing a direction and keeping to it.
Aequitum
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