The turn of 2025 and 2026 found many of us in a reality that can hardly be called stable. The latest United Surveys study shows that for nearly 45 percent of Poles, the greatest fear in 2026 is geopolitical uncertainty in Europe and its possible consequences. In such an environment, asset security ceases to be an abstraction and becomes a priority. As Anna Maria Panasiuk emphasizes, the decision to protect capital is a choice of how we want to function in a world full of uncertainty and what kind of space we build for ourselves and our loved ones. What, then, does the expert advise to do so that money is truly secure?
– Until now, it seemed that asset security begins with diversification, and the foundations of investing are patience and distance from emotions. This is, of course, true in calm and stable times. In 2026, we should look at asset protection differently and consider how to arrange a portfolio so that it is resistant to turbulence and geopolitical risks – says Anna Maria Panasiuk, a wealth advisor with over 20 years of experience.
Where to start?
Asset protection and responsible investing in difficult times begin with knowing your possibilities. Defining how much funds we need for daily life, and how much we want and can secure outside of Poland. It is also important to answer fundamental questions: what is this capital supposed to work for, whether long-term or short-term, what risk are we able to accept, and in what timeframe. Why is this so important? Let us explain it with an example: Buying gold and placing it in Switzerland makes a lot of sense today, but it will not be the right solution in a situation where these funds might be needed in a relatively short time horizon, because gold may not be as liquid as other financial instruments.
– The larger the wealth, the more elements need to be connected – just like a puzzle. With 1 or 2 million PLN, it is easy to manage and secure assets. With funds exceeding 10 million PLN and more, it takes a bit more effort. And if it is money intended to secure your family for the future, it is easy for emotions to arise, which can paralyze your rational decisions. That is why it is worth having a partner by your side who knows what you are afraid of, what your goals are, and in a critical situation when panic sets in, will hold your hand before you do something unwise – emphasizes Anna Maria Panasiuk.
– I remember a client who was considering investing in gold or the dollar. He concluded it would be gold, and the investment amounted to several million PLN. After a year, he panicked – he wanted to sell the gold and return to the dollar. Before we met and discussed his fears, he managed to sell half. After our conversation, he kept the rest of the gold. We know what happened to the dollar and what happened to gold in the last year. Today, this investor has wealth that secures his loved ones – adds the expert.
– It is worth having the support of experienced advisors, and above all, a strategy. This helps to avoid giving in to momentary emotions. Strategy sets the framework – it gives direction to all actions. If we don’t know how to act, we panic, we return to the strategy, and we already know what the next step is, or what step should not be taken – says Anna Maria Panasiuk.
Beware of sellers
Before starting a collaboration with a financial advisor, it is worth checking exactly what they actually do. If it is a person whose role boils down to selling specific assets – for example, bonds or structured instruments – it is difficult to expect a fully objective assessment of whether these types of solutions are optimal from the perspective of the investor’s individual needs and long-term goals. A seller, by definition, recommends what they have in their offer. That is why it is so important to distinguish strategic advisory from the sale of financial products – especially at a moment when decisions with long-term consequences are at stake.
In this context, it is concerning that for many Poles, banks remain the natural and obvious partner in financial matters. According to a study by the consulting firm Accenture, as many as 72 percent of us treat the bank as the main source of suggestions when making financial decisions. This trust is not the domain of one group – it applies to both people with modest incomes and those who have accumulated significant wealth.
– A bank, understood as an institution of public trust, is primarily a vault where money is kept – nothing more – says Anna Maria Panasiuk. – Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of equating it with a strategic advisor, whereas it is actually a company doing business. A bank earns on commissions and margins. Often, a client advisor who is a bank employee – no matter how competent and committed – acts within the framework of the institution’s policy. Their task is to promote investment products offered by their employer. That is why we keep money in a bank, but we use advisory from other verified sources – notes the expert.
Big money requires competence
Responsible investing requires cooperation with an independent partner who builds a strategy tailored to a specific person and their life situation. They look broader – they are not bound by a loyalty agreement with a single bank or a single jurisdiction. They can use offers from many institutions, compare solutions available in different markets, and combine investment, legal, and tax elements into one coherent structure. They act like an architect – designing the entire wealth as a system, rather than a collection of individual decisions.
Their competence and experience are not without significance. A good wealth manager is characterized by sensitivity – they understand not only the client’s current needs but also future changes in their life, family, or business. They can also be assertive – they know how to say “no” when a decision does not serve the long-term security of the assets – and they have a solid business background that allows them to better understand realities, risks, and the need for liquidity.
– Managing larger financial surpluses is an area that the Polish market is still learning. Of course, independent advisors and wealth managers operate here, but the range of available solutions can be narrower than in foreign markets. We also still have limited awareness of how the models of working with wealth actually differ. Besides, this is not the moment to keep funds in a Polish bank – emphasizes Anna Maria Panasiuk.
Peace of mind as the new currency of security
In 2026, financial security will not be determined by single investment decisions, nor by the economic situation in a given country. Much depends on what happens in a world that increasingly resembles a dense network of dependencies; one impulse – geopolitical, legal, or market-related – can trigger a domino effect. Therefore, today, preparation has greater value than prediction: an organized structure, clearly defined goals, and an awareness of what decisions we are making and why. This does not eliminate risk, but it allows us to understand it and stay in control.
– It must be said clearly: even the best advisor and the best-planned strategy do not provide a guarantee. No one has a crystal ball – emphasizes Anna Maria Panasiuk. – The difference lies in something else. It lies in the fact that by using analysis, experience, and an independent perspective, we make decisions more consciously and with greater peace of mind. And peace of mind in wealth management is one of the most valuable currencies today. Responsible investing is not about constantly reacting to the world, but about consistently building foundations that allow us to move through this world – regardless of the direction in which it happens to be changing – concludes the expert.
