Financial Services: What's up?
Financial Services: What's up? is a podcast from PwC Luxembourg that explores the financial services sector in Luxembourg and beyond. Co-hosts Björn Ebert and Sandra Paulis discuss asset management, banking and capital markets, and insurance. The show offers specialist analysis, diverse perspectives, and timely information on pressing industry topics. Episodes feature in-depth discussions and interviews aimed at professionals and newcomers who want to better understand the evolving financial landscape.
Épisodes
Broken pipes, rising costs: the Infrastructure challenge in Asset Management
Everyone wants AI. The data foundation to support it is another story. In this episode, Sandra and Björn are joined by Declan Byrne, PwC Asset & Wealth Management Global Assurance Leader, and Dariush Yazdani, PwC Global AWM Market Research Centre Leader, for a sneak preview of a new global survey of 150 asset managers and 50 infrastructure providers. The verdict? The industry doesn't have a techno
The Manco Barometer: decoding Luxembourg's Management Company landscape
Luxembourg now counts 289 management companies, and that number is shrinking. Not because the market is losing steam (AuM just hit 6.3 trillion euros), but because the rules of the game have changed. Cost pressure, tougher regulation and the rise of private-equity-backed third-party Mancos are pushing smaller players to merge, specialise, or hand the keys to someone else. Sandra and Björn sit down
What will be left of Financial Services tomorrow?
Financial services are being reshaped by faster capital flows, the rise of private markets in retail, and increasing pressure on traditional business models. In a multi‑shock world, firms are being forced to rethink how they create value and how they stay relevant. In this episode, Sandra and Björn are joined by Roland Kastoun, Asset and Wealth Management Advisory Leader at PwC US, to explore ho
Why Luxembourg became Europe's hub for private debt
Private debt has grown rapidly across Europe over the past decade, filling financing gaps left by traditional banks and supporting mid-sized companies. But after years of strong growth, the asset class is now facing increased scrutiny: rising default rates, tougher market conditions, and questions around lending standards. In this episode, Sandra and Björn explore, with Nicolas Payet PwC's Alter
Looking close, thinking far: the microscope & telescope of today's CEOs
In this episode, Sandra and Björn are joined by Cécile Liegeois, PwC Luxembourg Clients & Markets Leader, to decode the key messages of PwC's 29th Global CEO Survey through the lens of the microscope and the telescope, a way of thinking that captures how leaders balance short‑term pressure with long‑term ambition. Together, they discuss how CEOs are responding to uncertainty in the age of AI, and
Inside Luxembourg's ManCo shift: finance 2.0, tokenized Funds & the future of distribution
In this episode, Sandra and Björn sit down with Michael Horvath, Partner at PwC Luxembourg for the Risk & Regulatory practice, and special guest Serge Weyland, CEO of ALFI, to discuss the latest insights from Luxembourg's ManCo Barometer 2025. Together, they explore why the management company ecosystem remains resilient, from the rise of third‑party ManCos to Luxembourg's growing role in private m
$200 trillion, lower margins: the profitability paradox in Asset & Wealth Management
In this episode, Sandra and Björn welcome Steven Libby, EMEA Asset & Wealth Management Leader to discuss PwC's latest research, Asset and Wealth Management Revolution 2025, and the paradox reshaping the industry. While global assets under management are expected to exceed $200 trillion by the end of the decade, asset managers are facing significant pressure on profitability. The conversation exp
Europe's new security economy: inside the rise of defense financing
In this episode, Sandra and Björn sit down with Catherine Rückel, Partner at PwC Luxembourg and special guest Matthias Wittenburg, Senior Executive Advisor at PwC Strategy& and current lieutenant colonel in the German Army, to explore one of the most fast-moving topics in Europe today: defense financing. Together, they explore why the defense landscape is shifting, from the rise in hybrid attack
ETFs on the rise: why everyone's talking about them
In this episode, Sandra and Bjorn welcome Marius Pfeiffer, PwC Luxembourg's ETF Leader, to unpack one of the biggest trends reshaping asset management: the explosive growth of ETFs. Together, they explore what's driving this momentum, from cost efficiency and transparency to accessibility, and why both institutional and retail investors are fueling demand.
From human-led to machine-partnered: the shift you can't ignore
In this episode, Sandra and Björn discuss the evolving role of technology in the financial services industry with Olivier Carré, Deputy Managing Partner and Technology & Transformation Leader at PwC Luxembourg. Based on the Nexus 2025 conference (but not only), Olivier shares his insights on how AI and cloud are reshaping business models, sourcing strategies, and human roles. From the shift toward
Reinsurance & resilience: Luxembourg's evolving insurance ecosystem
In this episode, our hosts discuss the dynamics of Luxembourg's insurance and reinsurance markets with Amandine Motte - Chief Executive Officer at Barents Reinsurance S.A. and Sylvia Pucar – Insurance Leader at PwC Luxembourg. From Brexit's impact to Luxembourg's rise as an EU hub, our guests unpack market trends, regulatory strengths, and growth opportunities.
What's on the minds of Luxembourg CEOs in 2025?
Join hosts Sandra and Björn as they welcome François Mousel, Managing Partner at PwC Luxembourg, to explore the Luxembourg findings of the 2025 Global CEO Survey. In this episode, they discuss how CEOs are adapting to ongoing disruption, driving digital transformation, and rethinking their strategies for sustainable growth. From talent and technology to resilience and local innovation, listen to t
Behind the Scenes: Luxembourg's Innovation Highlights
Join hosts Sandra and Björn as they explore the world of innovation in Luxembourg with special guest Sasha Baillie, the CEO of Luxinnovation since 2018. In this episode, they discuss Sasha's journey from being a Luxembourg diplomat to leading the national innovation agency, the key drivers behind innovation in the country, the agency's role in fostering economic growth, and the strategies and chal
The recipe for success: Luxembourg's secret sauce in Asset & Wealth Management
Join hosts Sandra and Björn as they explore the dynamic world of asset and wealth management with industry specialists Mike Delano and Steven Libby. In this episode, they discuss the key drivers behind Luxembourg's success as the world's second-largest asset and wealth management center, the growing role of the industry in transforming global markets, and how emerging technologies like blockchain
The Pulse of Banking in Luxembourg: Tech, Talent, and Transformation
In this episode, Ananda Kautz, Member of the Management Board at ABBL and Julie Batsch, PwC's Banking and Capital Markets Leader unpack with our hosts the latest banking trends and figures, offering insights into Luxembourg's diverse and resilient banking landscape. From a robust private banking sector and advancements in sustainable finance to emerging challenges in regulation, talent acquisition
Navigating Luxembourg's Financial Future: digitalisation, green finance & regulatory shifts
In this episode, Claude Marx, Director General of the CSSF, and Michael Weis, PwC's anti-financial crime leader, discuss with our hosts the evolving regulatory landscape in Luxembourg's financial sector as well as the role of education in fostering investor trust. They explore key topics such as digitalisation, green finance, AML, and the implications of upcoming regulations like the Digital Opera
How Generative AI is Reshaping Financial Services
Join hosts Sandra and Bjorn in this episode as they discuss the impact of Generative AI in the financial sector with Patrice Witz, Advisory Partner, Technology Partner and Digital Leader. Explore how technological advancements are redefining banking operations, enhancing customer experiences, and driving innovation. From exploring the latest trends in FinTech to understanding the strategic implica
Finance Transformation: Embracing pay-per-use and AI-driven efficiency
In this episode, Sandra and Björn, alongside guest Baptiste Guionnet, are putting the spotlight on finance transformation and the shift from traditional long-term investment in solutions to a "pay-per-use" model driven by cloud-based services; a change which requires finance departments to continuously adapt to technological advancements. Discover the impact these changes have on staffing, the gro
Driving Change: Insights into the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive
Join hosts Sandra and Björn in this episode as they explore the complexities of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) with their expert Julien Melotte, PwC's Partner. Discover how the CSRD is shaping the financial industry, driving transparency, and fostering sustainability practices. From understanding the genesis of the directive to exploring its impact on banks and financial i
Valuation Insights: Navigating Market Trends and Regulatory Landscape
In this episode, Sandra and Björn, your co-hosts, discuss with Samir Moussaoui, PwC's Valuations Director, about the latest trends and challenges in the valuation landscape. From navigating market volatility to understanding regulatory updates, the conversation offers valuable insights on the impact on valuation practices across various asset classes.
The New Context
Join us on the debut episode of 'Financial Services: What's Up?' as hosts Sandra and Björn kick off a dynamic conversation with Dariush Yazdani, Global AWM & ESG Market Research Centre Leader in Luxembourg, delving into the current macroeconomic landscape and its impact on the financial sector. Discover key economic indicators, insights into inflation rates, and challenges and opportunities for th
