Begoña Berenguer from Degroof Petercam is our Advisor of the Month

She started in the financial sector when she was 23 years old in a program for young managers and since then she has taken on different responsibilities, from office manager when she was 25 years old, which allowed her to learn from a very young age what it was like to lead teams, to managing large accounts in coordination with different banking areas. From the perspective of all these years of career, she feels very grateful for the opportunity she has had to work with great professionals who have shared their knowledge and experience with her. After so many years of career, she keeps enjoying very much her work, to continue learning and to be able to offer an excellent service to our customers.

When and how did your career in the financial sector begin? 

My great passion has always been sports, but when I was a teenager, I realized that it was difficult to make a career in this sector, so I decided to go into economics. I found it a very interesting career because of its relevance to everyday life. 

I finished university in 1993, including a year in England. It was difficult to find work in 1993,  as Spain was facing a serious economic crisis. I was fortunate that a major financial institution offered me the chance to join its program for young executives. These were very intense years of work and learning, during which I was able to discover the different sectors of the bank and gain an in-depth understanding of its workings. 

All these years of training went hand in hand with client management, which I found very rewarding, as I realized how much I enjoyed being able to provide investment services and solutions to very different types of clients.

In your opinion, what is the most crucial aspect of wealth and asset management?

Wealth management and asset management are very demanding and responsible professions because you manage your client's assets and are therefore entrusted with a  great deal of responsibility. It is essential to know the financial markets and to be aware of what is going on, but it is also very important to get to know your client in depth, to find out what their needs and objectives are. Knowing your customer's needs and goals enables you to offer the best tailor-made solutions and establish a long-term relationship.

Is there any specific sector that you find particularly intriguing at the moment?

I would not single out any particular sector. But even today, with the serious signs of global warming, it is important to continue to advance and develop socially responsible investments,  because finance can have a major positive impact.

Have you observed any changes in your client’s profiles in recent years?  How would you characterize your typical customer?

Clients are increasingly aware of the importance of having well-structured portfolios in line with their risk profile and with a medium- to long-term perspective. Markets are becoming increasingly complex and demanding, requiring us, as financial professionals, to constantly monitor them.

What advice would you offer to someone aspiring to pursue a career in the financial sector?

I would say that if you love economics and financial markets, this is the best way to combine the two. If you are also lucky enough to be able to deal with clients, it is a wonderful job where you will have the opportunity to learn every day and make a difference in your clients' lives.

In your leisure time, what activities do you enjoy engaging in?

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family. We love playing sports together. In the quieter moments, I really enjoy reading and cooking.