As Credit Suisse officially launched its Wealth Insitute for Asia-Pacific, this publication was on hand to witness how much work this bank has invested in the venture.

They say timing is everything and for Credit Suisse, Friday the 21st of February was a good day to officially inaugurate its shiny new Singapore based Wealth Institute.

The day also was the date that Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam gave the country’s 2014 budget speech, which slightly drew away some of the media coverage that might otherwise have attended this big day for the Swiss bank. Even so, a huge effort and commitment has been poured into a project that the bank has rolled out for present and future employees.

The core aim of the Credit Suisse Wealth Institute under the leadership of Mae Anderson will be to strengthen the competences of all employees with the emphasis being on the front line client facing employees in particular. The fight for any kind of wealth management professional talent across Asia is so vigorous that growing and developing your own as Credit Suisse and others are now doing is essential in maintaining growth. (To see more about the Credit Suisse venture, see here.)

A large floor area of the bank’s One Raffles Link Singapore headquarters has been converted into a generous and luxurious campus. An auditorium; a cosier amphitheatre style room fitted with cutting edge interactive technology; a library, and several training, role play and e-learning rooms make up the bulk of the new Wealth Institute.

The main auditorium with its capacity to host 200 people will also allow the bank to accommodate exclusive client events. A permanent contemporary fitted kitchen and social bar area with a panoramic view of the Singapore central business district is tucked into one corner, which may end up being one of the most popular venues in the new space.

As the opening ceremony progressed, a lion dance featuring five feisty lions made sure the school got off to an auspicious and extremely loud start and that any “bad joss” was chased away for good.

However, the stars of the event were the Principal Woodwind Quintet of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra – their timing was perfect. They certainly provided a harmonious background for an occasion hosted by Francesco de Ferrari (Head of Private Banking Asia Pacific), Helman Sitohang, Head of the investment bank in Asia Pacific and a senior MAS representative.

The five musicians from the Credit Suisse sponsored orchestra enthralled the guests grabbing their attention for a solid 30 minutes. Not only did they entertain but the multi-talented musicians then took part in a humorous and informative question and answer session.

If any of the new local, regional and global employee participants/students should manage to retain even a fraction of the talent shown by the fabulous woodwind quintet, then the commitment, investment and effort will have been worth it.