NEWS.MC had the pleasure of catching up with the Country Head of UBS Monaco, Alejandro Velez, after a monumental Monaco Grand Prix weekend, of which UBS is a main sponsor.

“UBS is partnering with the Automobile Club de Monaco and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team for over 12 seasons. F1 and UBS share a lot of common values. At UBS, we are like an F1 team. We never stop finding the best solutions for our clients,” Velez tells NEWS.MC, adding that “Beyond the visibility that a Monaco F1 Weekend offers, we aim for giving money can’t buy experiences to our top clients.”

Indeed, on a special day for fans of home hero Charles Leclerc, UBS was at the forefront of F1 action in the Principality. “The Monaco GP is always special, even more this year with the win of Charles. It’s been epic and clients loved it. We have welcomed over 200 clients per day, some flying from the US and Asia. We also held our annual F1 exclusive event at La Vigie, with Mercedes F1 cars and drivers showing up. UBS is synonymous of F1 in Monaco!”

UBS has been a proud partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team since 2011

Not just a sponsor of speed on tarmac, UBS has a longstanding involvement in racing on water, sponsoring the Alinghi team in 2003 for the America’s Cup. “2023/2024, is slightly different. And good news, UBS is back with Alinghi Red Bull Racing for the America’s Cup 2024, that will be held in Barcelona from August to October 2024!

“We took over the partnership of Credit Suisse and rebranded it to UBS. We are thankful for this opportunity and great partnership with the Yacht Club de Monaco, where we support and collaborate on other projects than simply sponsoring,” As an example, we are co-founders of the SEA Index, an index measuring the sustainability of each vessel, that could affect the lending offer that we can formulate.”

“Speaking of which, this is a natural link to Monaco Yacht Show. This year, it will be the first ever year that UBS is officially at Monaco Yacht Show, with the heritage of CS in yacht financing. As the ‘World Largest Wealth Manager’, this new offering fits perfectly alongside aircraft financing and some other unique lending capabilities that we have.”

Beyond sport, UBS is nurturing the next generation of talented working artists in a number of different ways. “We have the UBS Art Collection, managing our 40.000 art pieces in our corporate collection, which is one of the world’s largest owned by a corporate entity. We also have the UBS Art Competence Center, a team of art curators and experts, hired by UBS, that provide advice to clients on managing their collections, and last but not least, we are a historic partner of ArtBasel, in Basel, Hong Kong, Miami and now Paris. We have a unique access there, with activities starting days before public opening. We offer the ‘first choice’ to UBS Clients! All the art lovers and collectors should bank with us!”

While certainly still providing returns, UBS Monaco and the UBS Group are able to promote and implement investment solutions that also contribute positively to environmental, social and governance criteria (ESG). 

“We are moving to a new building that will be the first corporate building with new “BD2M Gold Standard” and the “BREEAM Excellent” Gold ESG Standard, and we have clear targets to reduce our environmental footprint,” Velez says, adding “We walk the talk by partnering, via our UBS Optimus Foundation, with the Prince Albert Foundation to enhance the life of mammals in the Pelagos initiative. We have also partnered with the Blue Marine Foundation to raise money for one of the world’s largest Marine Protection Organisations.

“For clients, we have developed a broad sustainable investment product shelf: We have Sustainable Discretionary Mandates, Global Equity Sustainable Modules and a full range of funds, certificates, private markets and private equity solutions organised around sustainability.

With an epic Monaco GP now in their rear view mirrors, UBS Monaco is looking forward to further sporting success, and to take delivery of their special new headquarters. “We have renewed our partnership with Alinghi for the upcoming America’s Cup that will be held this year in Barcelona. We have already started to invite clients there, to be up close and personal with the Swiss Team.”

“Also, we will take delivery of GB2, our headquarters, after eight years of work. This building is a true masterpiece. Designed by Jean Nouvel, fully sustainable, our UBS Monaco HQ will be the new home for clients and all Wealth Management types of clientele. You will see.”

Featured image: UBS Monaco Country Head Alejandro Velez