Why I love my job

Dear Sir or Madam,

I have been working in finance for 24 years now, and after meeting countless colleagues from the industry, I can confidently say that I am one of the few who truly love their job. A cynic might say: I deal with the financial concerns of people who have no financial concerns. And it’s true—our clients are, by virtue of their financial backgrounds, highly privileged.

But that’s not what really matters. This job allows me to meet a wide variety of people from different fields, many of whom have fascinating life stories—entrepreneurs, executives, or sales professionals who have achieved extraordinary success in their domains.

Last week, I had another one of those initial consultations that I couldn’t wait to share with my colleagues afterward—not (primarily) because of the financial background involved. It was yet another reminder of why I find so much joy in my profession.

Nils*, a young entrepreneur in his mid-30s from Lower Saxony, barely scraped through high school. After graduation, he spent quite some time searching for direction, with no clear plan. He eventually opted for a business degree, which would keep all career paths open. It wasn’t until he met his girlfriend—now his wife—that he developed a real sense of ambition for the first time in his life.

After earning his bachelor’s degree, he attended a startup consulting seminar where he met two fellow students. Over time, this acquaintance evolved into a shared vision: to start their own IT company. Since its founding, the company has seen rapid growth. The journey was anything but linear—full of challenges, highs, and defining lows. Recently, they completed a partial exit, with further payments expected soon—a total mid-seven-figure sum after taxes. In a relatively short time, Nils and his partners have achieved their dream of financial independence and self-determination.

And now that he has reached this point? He’s asking all the right questions!

During our conversation, he said things like:

• I’m happy and comfortable; I don’t want my life to change just because of the money.
• How can I use my wealth in a meaningful way to create a more fulfilling life for myself and those around me?
• How can I be generous with friends without seeming ostentatious? And how do I stay on equal footing with them?
• I’m deeply rooted in my rural hometown and actively involved in a local association. How can I contribute without being seen as a patron—or, worse, creating dependency or long-term expectations?
• Would buying a vacation property (and if so—where?) actually enhance our quality of life, or would managing it eventually become a burden? Can I justify it within a sustainable lifestyle?
• What impact will this wealth have on my young children? Will it be a blessing or a curse for them, and how can I influence that positively?
• The money should not change who I am.

We are still in the early stages of working together, and it’s not yet certain whether we’ll move forward—but I’m very optimistic.

This is just one example. We have so many thoughtful, grounded clients that it’s a pleasure to work with them. The cliché that money corrupts character simply doesn’t hold true—at least not for the people we work with. Pleasant, self-aware individuals become even more considerate, socially engaged, and responsible when they acquire wealth. The greedy and ostentatious types? They rarely contact us. And in the rare cases where they do, they usually find their way back out the door rather quickly.

Our job isn’t “just” about managing wealth. Of course, that’s part of our role as senior partners at Deutsche Wertpapiertreuhand. But more importantly, it’s about helping our clients build meaningful lives, mitigate risks, and ensure they don’t take a wrong turn along the way.

In Nils’ case, I look forward to (hopefully) growing older alongside him—serving as a sparring partner for these important questions. And, in the long run, seeing how the next generation learns to handle wealth, both practically and mentally. Being part of that process is exciting, continually challenging, and, above all, deeply fulfilling.

Perhaps this sounds like advertising to you—which would be a shame, because this is exactly what drives me every single day and why I love my job.

Best regards,

Your Stefan Heringer

*Nils is, of course, not actually named Nils. He has approved the publication of his story, and I have altered details to protect his privacy.

P.S.: I welcome your thoughts at nachdenken@neunundvierzig.com.

10/02/2024