The banks in Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein Bankers Association are orienting themselves by a new multi-year strategy. With a schedule reaching up to 2025, they hope to further develop their leading position in international asset management while at the same time becoming more innovative.

Oerlikon Balzers has brought to market a new coating product based on diamonds. This new surface solution can be used to work more precisely and carefully with demanding materials such as graphite and ceramics.

This year’s private banking rating compiled by the Swiss business journal “Bilanz” has seen LGT Bank Switzerland emerge victorious in the “Foreign Bank” category. The bank scored particularly well due to its consulting and investment recommendations.

Liechtenstein could help shape a sustainable economy, Simon Tribelhorn asserts. The Managing Director of the Liechtenstein Bankers Association thinks the finance sector is in need of a sustainability strategy. Otherwise, the country might lose touch.

According to Prince Michael, the financial center of Liechtenstein is in a good position when it comes to sustainability. In general, the fiduciary expert advocates for personal responsibility and autonomy in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations.

The letter business of Liechtensteinische Post slumped significantly in 2020, as did payment transactions. By contrast, the parcels segment experienced strong growth. In order to further diversify sales, logistics services will be expanded.

Liechtensteinische Kraftwerke (LKW) posted increased operating and net profit in comparison with the previous year. In the energy business, lower procurement prices for energy helped to offset a decrease in domestic sales. The expansion of the fiber optic network has reached 71 percent.

The coronavirus pandemic saw sales at Ivoclar Vivadent drop below the previous year’s figure to 640 million Swiss francs. However, in a market comparison, the Liechtenstein dental specialist performed better than its competitors. In fact, the company way even able to gain market share in some important sales regions.

Anthedon AG PCC has brought a digital finance product to market. The Anthedon Short-Term Marketplace Lending Note provides investors with access to an internet-based lending marketplace.

VP Bank has signed the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Banking. This aims to strengthen banking groups’ commitment to sustainability. The banking group had already created a sustainability plan back in 2016.

The Austrian branch of Credit Suisse (Luxembourg) S.A. has decided to refer its high-net-worth clients to the Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB) Österreich as its banking partner. By taking on the client base, the LLB Group is expanding its private banking presence in the Austrian market.

The Zurich-based MedTech firm Ava has developed a bracelet that monitors female fertility by determining fertile days. However, the same device can also be used for the early detection of coronavirus infections, as a study conducted in Liechtenstein has now shown.

Liechtenstein banks recorded impressive results alongside high Tier 1 capital ratios and net new money inflows in 2020. In so doing, the banks successfully ended a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic and low interest rate environment. The banking sector is also well positioned for the future.

Das Ernährungsfeld Vaduz ist eine der Attraktionen des 2021 stattfindenden «Bodensee Gartenjahr». Hierfür haben sich Partner aus allen vier Bodenseeländern zusammengeschlossen, um in einem Ge-meinschaftsprojekt die grünen Oasen erlebbar zu machen.

Hilti plans to complete a generation change at a management level over the next two years. Only internal candidates are being promoted to the Executive Board. Jahangir Doongaji will take over from Christoph Loos. The current CEO will take over as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The young handbag brand Leonie Risch from Schaan has won first place at the Startup Platform of the University of Liechtenstein. The jury ruled that the company creates heirloom pieces that promote not only local crafts but also sustainable consumption.

Telecom Liechtenstein (FL1) can report positive development since the introduction of its white-label solution for cell phone contracts. This business model now contributes 10 percent to total sales. In addition, FL1 now has more end customers in Switzerland than in Liechtenstein.

The LLB Group achieved record business volume of almost 93 billion Swiss francs in 2020. Client assets under management reached a new year-on-year record of almost 80 billion Swiss francs. Conversely, a 5 percent fall in operating income was recorded.

The number of blockchain companies in Switzerland and Liechtenstein has increased once more in the second half of 2020 and is now 960. Over the same period, the number of unicorns has also almost doubled to 11 companies.

The VP Bank Group intends to complete its transformation into an international open wealth service pioneer by 2026. This strategy will also focus on the Asian market. By the end of 2026, group profit should be increased to 100 million Swiss francs per year. In 2020, profit totaled 41.6 million Swiss francs.