In today’s increasingly complex financial landscape, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and global families face a unique set of challenges when it comes to preserving, managing, and transferring wealth across generations. As a boutique advisory firm, ARI Financial Group has established itself as a market leader in providing bespoke universal life insurance (ULI) and premium financing strategies that address these critical needs with discretion, precision, and foresight.
With more than two decades of experience in North America, ARI Financial Group has expanded its global footprint with offices in Miami, New York, Tel Aviv, Dubai, and, most recently, Switzerland. Spearheading the Swiss office is Managing Partner Francesco Oliveti, who emphasizes the firm’s mission: combining global reach with local expertise to design life insurance solutions that serve both as a strategic asset and a legacy planning vehicle.
“We focus on liquidity and legacy,” Oliveti explains. “These two pillars are at the heart of our approach to wealth planning. The ultimate goal is to establish what we call a ‘family bank’ – a sustainable financial framework that empowers present and future generations.”
A global perspective with boutique expertise
ARI Financial Group’s value proposition is rooted in its ability to scale bespoke planning across international jurisdictions. Originating in the financial hubs of Miami and New York, the firm has successfully leveraged its experience and reputation to serve a diverse client base, now extending from Latin America to Asia through the Swiss banking platform.
From its Zurich base, ARI offers tailored insurance strategies for both local residents and international clients, granting access to elite life insurance platforms in the USA, Canada, and Hong Kong – regions known for their robust offerings for HNWIs. Despite its international reach, the firm remains a family business at heart. Founder Eric Bouskila remains closely involved, actively promoting the core values that have defined ARI’s enduring success: trust, discretion, and a commitment to excellence.
“Our role is to work hand-in-hand with private bankers, trustees, and asset managers,” says Oliveti. “We do not manage assets directly. Rather, we offer expertise that enables our partners to deliver more holistic, value-added solutions to their clients.”
One of ARI’s most powerful offerings lies in its ability to create liquidity – an often-overlooked, yet essential component in managing complex family dynamics and preserving wealth across generations. Through permanent, conservatively structured life insurance policies, coverage can extend to age 120, offering protection well beyond traditional life expectancies.
The strategic role of life insurance in wealth planning
Life insurance is more than a safeguard; it is a strategic asset. There are two principal dimensions to consider – investment and legacy.
Investment dimension. Universal life insurance policies provide access to a differentiated asset class, distinct from traditional equity or real estate holdings. These policies typically fall outside the insured’s estate, shielding them from creditors and offering powerful collateral potential. Leading banks often accept such policies due to the high ratings (AA- or higher) of ARI’s partner insurance providers. Beyond asset protection, the policy’s cash surrender value benefits from the performance of market indices or insurance company dividends. This value appreciates over time, supported by a guaranteed floor – providing insulation from the volatility that often affects traditional assets.
Legacy dimension. A carefully structured life insurance policy serves as a powerful equalization tool during wealth transfer. It ensures the lifestyle continuity of beneficiaries while providing liquidity to resolve inheritance complexities, particularly in multi-jurisdictional and multi-generational family structures.
“Wealth planning is like examining a diamond,” Oliveti remarks. “The way it reflects light depends on how you look at it – just as every family’s situation brings unique perspectives and outcomes.”
Real-world applications for global families
While every client is distinct, ARI identifies several recurring themes in the challenges faced by HNW families.
Business succession planning. In families where a single heir is chosen to lead a business, siblings not involved in daily operations may still expect financial returns. A life insurance policy can generate the liquidity required to buy out those heirs’ shares – preserving harmony without compromising business continuity.
Inheritance tax optimisation. For families holding illiquid assets – such as real estate portfolios, fine art, or classic cars – in jurisdictions with significant inheritance taxes (e.g., the UK, USA, South Africa, Japan), insurance can provide liquidity to meet tax obligations, avoiding forced asset sales.
Addressing emerging market risks. In developing regions, life insurance ensures financial continuity for surviving family members in the absence of stable financial infrastructures.
Sharia-compliant legacy equalisation. In Islamic countries, where inheritance laws often favour male descendants, life insurance offers a means to achieve more balanced distributions, ensuring female heirs receive equitable support.
Young athletes & early wealth creators. Individuals whose wealth is generated early – such as professional athletes – can lock in low insurance rates and use ULI as a source of future income or investment liquidity once their peak earning years have passed.
Premium financing: a tool for capital efficiency
Premium financing is a core element of ARI’s offering. It enables clients to access substantial life insurance coverage without an immediate capital outlay – preserving liquidity and maximizing opportunity cost efficiency.
“We are not product providers,” Oliveti asserts. “We are solution architects. Premium financing is simply one instrument in a broader toolkit we use to deliver high-impact results for our clients.”
This approach ensures that capital is allocated where it delivers the highest value – whether for additional investments, philanthropic initiatives, or intergenerational planning.As the demands on global wealth continue to evolve, ARI Financial Group stands at the intersection of strategy, security, and sophistication. Through expertly crafted life insurance and premium financing solutions, the firm empowers high-net-worth families to create lasting legacies – rooted in foresight, fortified by liquidity, and tailored with the highest degree of care.
Discover more @ ARI Financial Group
Article edited by Lucrezia Doria
