Art Banking

No, quite the opposite. Our services are designed for a wide variety of clients: some want help making their first purchase or starting a collection; others want a pre-sale valuation, insurance, advice on transferring a collection, or even help engaging in art-related philanthropy.

Our Head of Art Banking Services is both a banker and an art historian. However, our aim is not to become an “expert” in art. We have chosen to partner with external professionals from the art world, whose invaluable experience, knowledge and infrastructure would be difficult to replicate in a bank.  Handpicking experts in this way allows us to provide bespoke services tailored to our clients’ exact needs.

Art valuation takes into account the intrinsic properties of an object (artist name and reputation, medium, dimensions, provenance, condition, publications, exhibitions, etc.) and market factors (similar transactions, global economic context, alignment to current tastes, novelty or “freshness” to the market, etc.). Since most artworks are unique and appraisals somewhat subjective, putting a financial value on an artwork is not an exact science. This is particularly true when an artist does not have much of a secondary (auction) market. 

Authentication is a process that seeks to establish a consensus of evidence by combining technical, historical and artistic analysis of the object with an examination of the available documentation (invoices, certificates) and research on provenance (history of ownership). Before buying any art it is essential you check that due diligence has been performed by reputable professionals to confirm the object’s authenticity and legal status (proof of ownership, import/export conditions, absence of legal disputes linked to stolen or misappropriated art, etc.).

Although art and collectibles are an asset class in their own right, making it sensible to seek professional advice, we do not present art as a speculative investment from which you should expect a capital gain. In other words, while the investment potential of such assets must be taken into account, there is no denying that the main purpose of an artwork or beautiful object is to spark joy. This pleasure – the true “payoff” of art – is intangible and cannot be measured in money.

When it comes to advising on a purchase, our service typically begins by defining an objective (type of artwork, artists, media, etc. sought), after which we create a portfolio of available works, conduct due diligence, analyse the price, potentially negotiate, agree on the artwork and purchase price, and then close and complete the sale (including help with paperwork and documentation, logistics and/or insurance). In some cases, we also provide assistance with framing and hanging (often fundamental for conservation). 

The first, crucial step is to set an ambitious yet realistic target price, which in some cases means confirming authenticity in advance. The second step is strategic and involves deciding on the best sales channel to obtain the desired price (e.g. public auction vs private sale; national vs international market, etc.). The third step is to initiate the sales process, from negotiating the terms and choosing partners to completing the transaction.