Energy, passion, and adaptability: the three pillars of leadership for Nicolas Syz, CEO of Banque Syz

March 23, 2026

There is a striking sincerity in the way Nicolas Syz talks about his journey. No heroic tale, but a path marked by travel, encounters, trials, and intuition. A story that reveals what drives him: energy as a way of being, emotion as a driving force, and adaptability as a reflex.

As the head of a family-owned bank with 280 employees, he embodies a deeply human style of leadership, shaped by his international experience and a keen understanding of the skills required to thrive in a profession built on relationships, expertise, and trust.

Interview by Mathias Baitan, March 5, 2026 (Geneva)

Mathias Baitan: As you begin your first few weeks at the helm of Banque Syz, what qualities do you consider essential for taking on this role?

Nicolas Syz: I would say that three qualities define me: energy, emotion, and adaptability.

Adaptability comes first. I quickly realized that, in a career as well as in an organization, many factors are constantly changing. To move forward, you have to know how to adapt, read the situation, and find the right pace. Paradoxically, this ability to adapt brings a great deal of stability.

Emotion also plays an important role. In our industry, we often talk about technical aspects or regulations, but the heart of the business remains relationships: the trust we build, and the way a client or colleague perceives our commitment. Emotion is part of that equation.

And then there’s energy. I love to move forward, inspire, and motivate. Our orange logo isn’t just for show—it’s a color that symbolizes momentum and positivity. I simply try to share that energy with those around me.

MB: You mention the importance of emotion. How did this driving force come to play a role in your career?

Nicolas Syz: I think a lot of it comes from the people I’ve met. I’ve worked in Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, London, Paris… and everywhere I’ve gone, it’s the people who have taught me the most: their work ethic, the way they treat others, show respect, and pass on their knowledge.

I was inspired by a wide variety of people: some deeply compassionate, others extremely disciplined and meticulous.

These environments were sometimes challenging, and living abroad forces you to reinvent yourself. When you arrive in a country where you don’t know anyone and aren’t familiar with the customs, you have to learn quickly, listen carefully, and observe.

It fosters empathy, intuition, and the ability to sense what is going on in a relationship.

And then I did a lot of sports, especially skeleton. In that sport, failure is a constant: you fall, you get back up, and you start over. You learn to accept your emotions and channel them.

MB: You speak of failure with great composure. How have those experiences shaped the way you make decisions?

Nicolas Syz: I’ve had my share of setbacks, especially during my studies. I failed my first year of college, and then went through a period of serious doubt during my second year, because I couldn’t afford to fail again.

It could have paralyzed me. Instead, it taught me about myself: how I react under stress, and how I think when I lose my bearings.

Moments like these make you wonder why you do the things you do. For me, that was an important lesson: you truly make progress when you act out of personal conviction, not simply to meet expectations or conform to norms.

It’s also a valuable lesson in decision-making. I’ve learned never to let urgency dictate the response. Urgency often leads to poor decisions.

Today, when faced with uncertainty, I always fall back on the same approach: observe, understand, analyze, and then decide. Ultimately, what matters isn’t avoiding every difficulty, but knowing how to pick yourself up and rebuild.

That’s what I try to instill in my children, and also in my teams.

MB: Your career path has taken you through several industries before you entered banking. How has that shaped your current perspective?

Nicolas Syz: I started at Firmenich, a family-owned company, which resonated with my own personal background.

Then came Singapore, London, and Paris. In Paris, I worked in the world of perfume: a world where emotion is ever-present and where you learn to listen in a different way.

Next came UBS in Zurich, where I discovered a highly structured industry. There, I came to appreciate not only the value of technical expertise, but also the importance of preparation and discipline.

These experiences have taught me a great deal. But what has left the deepest impression on me is always the same thing: the people, their behaviors, and how they complement one another.

All of this has taught me that you can only truly understand a customer by trying to see things from their perspective.

MB: What role does family governance play in your role as CEO?

Nicolas Syz: Governance is essential, especially in a family-owned bank. It must be clear, rational, and aligned with the collective interest. We have 280 employees across three entities, and our responsibility is to ensure that decisions are made for the good of the group, never influenced by family dynamics.

My relationship with my father is both personal and professional. He leads Syz Group with tremendous entrepreneurial energy. Our discussions are rich in exchange of ideas and differing perspectives. In my role, I place great importance on gathering input, comparing viewpoints, and fostering collective thinking before making a decision.

Our goals are perfectly aligned, and that is what makes our governance strong.

MB: You recently transitioned from Head of Wealth Management to CEO. How has that changed your relationship with the business?

Nicolas Syz: Over the past seven years, I’ve worked closely with portfolio managers and clients on the ground. Client relationships are the lifeblood of our business. They’re what give meaning to everything else.

When I became CEO, I told our teams one very simple thing: I want to stay close to you and our clients. Of course, the role of CEO involves a broader scope: running the organization, driving growth while managing risks, and continuing to innovate. But that only makes sense if we maintain a direct connection with people, both inside and outside the bank.

MB: In your opinion, what are the key skills that need to be developed for the future of finance in French-speaking Switzerland?

Nicolas Syz: First, there’s continuous learning. The environment is changing too quickly for us to stop learning. Next, agility: the ability to question ourselves, to evolve, and to adapt our approach. A culture of feedback is also essential: accepting different perspectives and staying open-minded.

And then there’s a phrase that’s particularly close to my heart: “You have to do what you say you’re going to do.” It’s simple, but it’s the foundation of trust.

I enjoy working with people who are curious, open-minded, and sometimes unconventional. Many of our employees have had non-linear career paths. And often, that is precisely what makes them so valuable. At its core, our work is all about building relationships: we forge connections, build trust, and, ultimately, foster a sense of collective energy.

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Nicolas Syz
CEO of Syz Bank

Biography

• Master's Degree in Finance and Strategy at Sciences Po
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing & Management from HEC University of Lausanne
• CEO of Syz Bank since February¹, 2026
• Former Head of Private Banking at Syz Bank
• Early career in the fragrance industry (including Firmenich)