Interview mit Dorothée Borca Dumortier, Chief Commercial Officer, IG Bank SA.

As we celebrate our 30^th anniversary at C-Matrix, we are delighted to present an insightful interview with Dorothée Borca Dumortier, Chief Commercial Officer of IG Bank SA. With nearly two decades of experience in the finance industry, Dorothée shares her passion for the field, discusses ways to inspire the next generation of women in finance, and reflects on the remarkable milestones IG Bank has achieved both in Switzerland and globally. Join us as we delve into her journey, her vision for the future, and her advice for aspiring finance professionals.

You’ve been in the finance industry for nearly 20 years. What excites you about it? Why would you recommend it as a career?

The finance industry offers a wealth of career development options, yet many remain unaware of its full scope. My journey began in credit risk, which laid a solid foundation for moving into private banking, asset management, and trading – essential components of effective client relationship management.

I wholeheartedly recommend a finance career, but with a crucial caveat: mentors are invaluable. Navigating this dynamic field requires guidance, and I’ve had the privilege of mentoring women in finance through the ‘100 Women in Finance’ program.

Only 10-15% of women are invested. Research indicates that interest in finance and investing starts as early as teenage years. What do you suggest for getting girls interested in this field before they make their study and career choices?

IG Bank’s research highlights the significant impact of culture on women’s investment participation. While women are less engaged overall in investing, it’s striking that only 8% of Swiss women actively invest, compared to 23% in Taiwan and 20% in Singapore. This cultural context underscores the need for early education and empowerment.

As a parent, introducing financial literacy to your children is crucial. Even if your kids are still young, consider planting the seeds of financial awareness. Colleagues recommend books like, ‘How to Turn $100 Into $1,000,000: Earn! Save! Invest!’, to spark interest in financial management among teenage girls.

IG Bank is celebrating its 10^th anniversary in Switzerland and 50^th anniversary internationally this year, what have been your highlights in the time you’ve worked with them?

IG Bank’s constant highlight for me is that diversity and inclusion as well a performance-based culture, are part of our DNA. 45% of our staff and 50% of our Executive Management are women at IG Bank and until recently, the IG Group was one of the few financial institutions to have a female CEO.

Talking about anniversaries, what would you recommend to your younger self about choosing a career in finance?

I would not only advise her to choose finance, but to explore specific areas of interest in the field, find allies, sources of inspiration, a mentor, keep learning and pay attention to company culture. When considering potential employers ask yourself: What types of training and development programs do they have? Do they have a mentoring program? Do they have a diverse culture? How many women are in their executive ranks? And remember, the path to success often lies beyond the obvious – explore, learn, and seek guidance along the way!