In an exclusive interview, BankPro’s Paolo Broccardo shares how his digital-first private bank is rewriting the rules of wealth management — and why legacy institutions should be watching closely.
Private banking is no longer reserved for quiet boardrooms and velvet-gloved service — it’s rapidly moving to encrypted screens, AI-driven decisions, and real-time access. At the center of this shift is BankPro, a rising digital private bank aiming to merge the elegance of private banking with the speed and flexibility of fintech.
At the helm is CEO Paolo Broccardo — a strategic mind with roots in finance and a reputation for turning vision into execution. Under his leadership, BankPro is serving globally minded individuals and modern businesses alike, all while challenging the conventions of traditional banking. In this interview, Broccardo opens up about the highs and hurdles of building a next-gen financial institution from scratch, the lessons he’s learned, and what’s next for the company.
Paolo, before we get into BankPro — what drew you to digital private banking in the first place? Was there a moment when you realized the old model was broken?
I’ve spent decades in traditional finance, and during that time I saw an increasing disconnect between what private banking promised and what clients actually experienced. The old model often came with high barriers to entry, legacy systems, and fragmented services spread across platforms and regions. The turning point for me came during the pandemic, when clients — even affluent ones — struggled to access basic cross-border services quickly and securely. That was a wake-up call: private banking needed to evolve. Digital transformation wasn’t just a convenience anymore — it became a necessity. BankPro was born from the realisation that people deserve the sophistication of private banking with the agility and transparency of modern fintech.
You’ve taken BankPro from concept to a fully operational platform. What was the inflection point where you knew it was more than just a good idea?
The real inflection point came during our early testing phase, when clients from emerging markets started using the platform not just as a secondary service, but as their primary banking and investing hub. We saw multi-currency accounts, international transfers, and investment tools being used side by side — exactly as we’d envisioned. When institutional clients began approaching us for corporate accounts, it confirmed that our model had real market fit. That momentum, combined with overwhelmingly positive feedback about our user experience and onboarding speed, told us BankPro had moved from concept to something transformative.
Digital banking is a crowded space. What sets BankPro apart from both legacy players and fintech upstarts?
Legacy banks have the brand, fintechs have the agility — but neither combines both. BankPro bridges that gap. We bring the high-touch ethos of private banking into a fully digital format. Clients get a premium experience with institutional-grade tools, multi-currency accounts, instant transfers, Visa Platinum cards, and investing — all under one roof.
What’s the toughest decision you’ve had to make as CEO — and what did it teach you?
One of the toughest — but most important — decisions was choosing the right partners to build BankPro from the ground up. In digital finance, it’s tempting to prioritise speed or cost when selecting core banking systems and technology providers. But we knew from the start that trust, scalability, and long-term vision mattered more than shortcuts. That decision to go with partners who shared our commitment to compliance, security and innovation — even if it meant more time or investment — has paid off. It taught me that in banking, especially at the private level, taking risks with your foundation is never worth it. You only get one chance to earn client trust — and that starts behind the scenes.
You’re known for spotting strategic gaps before others see them. Can you walk us through a decision or product that exemplifies that ability?
Our decision to focus on markets like LATAM and APAC — where digital private banking is still scarce — was a deliberate and strategic move made from the outset. We recognised early on that while many of our competitors were racing to capture share in already saturated regions like the EU and US, there were underserved, high-growth areas being left behind.
These markets, particularly in Latin America and Southeast Asia, are experiencing rapid economic development and an emerging class of affluent individuals and businesses seeking more sophisticated financial solutions. However, access to seamless, secure, and modern private banking services has remained limited — especially when it comes to combining international reach, investment capabilities, and everyday digital convenience in a single platform.
This foresight — investing in infrastructure where demand was rising but supply was lagging — is now paying off in the form of strong user growth and deeper client engagement in these regions.
BankPro services a diverse client base — from individuals to corporates. How do you ensure the experience feels personalized across the board?
At BankPro, we’ve built a platform that strikes a rare balance: highly personalised, premium-level service for high-net-worth clients, and practical, reliable functionality for everyday users in emerging markets.
For corporate clients, we offer a distinct experience tailored to their operational needs. Through our advanced corporate dashboard, businesses can easily order and manage company cards, monitor transactions in real time, and access detailed account statements — all in a streamlined digital environment. We’re also preparing to launch treasury management tools, giving companies greater control over liquidity, forecasting, and international payments. This reflects our commitment to building a platform that scales with our clients’ ambitions.
At the same time, we’ve ensured that our core banking services are straightforward and accessible for individuals who may be underserved by traditional institutions. BankPro fills that gap — offering a modern alternative that brings financial inclusion and empowerment to the people who need it most.
Ultimately, whether you’re managing a global business or simply looking for a better way to send money abroad, BankPro offers a tailored solution. It’s all about meeting clients where they are — and giving them the tools to go further.
Let’s talk about the product. Is there a particular feature or launch you’re especially proud of — one that reflects BankPro’s mission best?
Absolutely — one of the features I’m most proud of is our seamless integration of global investing directly into the BankPro app. From the very beginning, our mission has been to make sophisticated financial tools accessible to clients around the world, and enabling users to invest in stocks and ETFs from major exchanges like NASDAQ and the NYSE is a powerful expression of that.
It’s not just about access — it’s about giving clients the ability to manage their everyday finances and long-term investments in one secure, intuitive platform. No need for multiple apps or complicated processes. Whether you’re moving funds between currencies, sending an international payment, or building a diversified portfolio, it’s all within reach — literally, at your fingertips.
This feature reflects our belief that modern private banking should empower users to take control of their financial future, no matter where they’re based.
What’s your vision for the future of private banking — and where does BankPro fit into that in five or ten years?
Private banking will become borderless, more inclusive, and powered by smart tech — not relationship managers in marble offices. In five years, I see BankPro as the go-to bank for globally minded professionals and businesses who want the tools of wealth creation in their pocket, not behind a velvet rope.
Finally, what should clients, investors, or even competitors expect from BankPro in the coming year? Any surprises on the horizon?
Expect continued innovation, deeper market expansion, and the rollout of new investment tools designed for globally minded users. In the coming months, we’re introducing exciting new features — including savings accounts and treasury management solutions specifically for corporate clients. These additions are part of our commitment to building a truly comprehensive digital private banking experience. And yes — we also have something groundbreaking in the pipeline that blends AI with wealth management. We look forward to sharing more very soon.
As Paolo Broccardo makes clear, BankPro isn’t just chasing trends — it’s shaping the future of private banking by fusing technological precision with a client-first mindset. In a space where reputation, speed, and trust collide, Broccardo’s vision is striking a rare balance: digital without the coldness, private without the exclusivity, and innovative without the hype.
Whether BankPro becomes the blueprint for a new class of digital private banks remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — under Broccardo’s leadership, it’s not content to follow. It’s here to lead.
