In an industry where heritage meets innovation, private banking stands at a pivotal crossroads. The rise of digital-native clients, mounting regulatory demands, and increasing pressure on margins are forcing private banks to revisit their most fundamental value proposition: advice.
In this evolving landscape, one platform is quietly revolutionizing the way banks engage their clients and deliver wealth planning services. That platform is Abbove, a Brussels-based SaaS solution designed to make wealth planning scalable, personalized, and impactful.
We sat down with Guillaume Desclée, CEO of Abbove, to explore how the platform is reshaping private banking from the inside out, and what it means for the future of client engagement, regulation, and long-term value creation.
The shift from Elite to Inclusive
For years, comprehensive wealth planning has been a service reserved for top-tier clients: time-consuming, advisor-dependent, and rarely scalable. Abbove flips this model on its head. Built in collaboration with 120 families, the platform was designed from the ground up to support advisors in delivering meaningful, tailored advice at scale.
"Our vision is simple," says Guillaume Desclée, CEO of Abbove. "Empower banks to serve every client with the same level of insight and personalization once reserved for a privileged few."
And it works. Today, more than 1,100 wealth advisors across Europe use Abbove to guide over 36,000 families (190,000 family members), helping them define life goals, consolidate their wealth data, and structure their legacy — all through a single digital experience.
Building a new client experience
At the heart of Abbove lies a collaborative and structured wealth data model. It connects internal bank systems (CRM, PMS, DMS, core banking) with real-time input from clients and advisors, continuously enriching the client profile.
The platform enables:
- A 360° overview of family wealth, including family structure, all types of assets held both inside and outside the bank, comprehensive balance sheets, all donations made, related documents, professional earnings, personal spending, and a clear definition of the client’s personal and family life goals.
- Smart financial and estate planning simulations that align financial strategies with life goals.
- Dynamic reports that are compliant, customized, and generated in minutes.
But perhaps most importantly, Abbove brings consistency to advisory services.
“Instead of relying solely on the individual advisor’s approach, banks can now ensure that every client benefits from the same quality of advice, from onboarding to solution implementation,” explains the team.
Strategic value: more than just efficiency
While Abbove’s automation saves time, its value goes far beyond operational efficiency. For private banks, the platform creates measurable results across three pillars:
- Engagement: +18% increase in client NPS; deeper NextGen involvement through family access.
- Revenue: Enhanced discovery of off-bank assets leads to AUM growth and cross-selling opportunities.
- Impact: Scalable delivery of expert advice through standardized journeys and compliant documentation.
In a recent survey among users, the consistent theme was clear: Abbove transforms advisory conversations from transactional to strategic.
Designed for today and tomorrow
Beyond its immediate impact, Abbove positions banks to meet tomorrow’s regulatory and technological demands. Its structured data model is KYC-ready, auditable, and aligned with upcoming frameworks such as FIDA (Financial Data Access Regulation), enabling secure, client-authorized data sharing.
With ISO 27001, ISAE 3000, and SOC certifications, the platform meets the highest standards in data security and is fully integrated in just 60 days.
From tool to infrastructure
Abbove isn’t just a digital tool, it’s a foundational infrastructure for the future of wealth management. By combining technology, collaboration, and strategic insight, it helps banks do more than adapt: it helps them lead.
As wealth becomes more complex and client relationships more multidimensional, platforms like Abbove will no longer be optional. They will be essential.
“Abbove is where every wealth planning journey begins and where private banks can finally turn ambition into reality.”