In a market shaped by volatility and increasingly complex investment products, Resonor has built its reputation on something more tangible: physical gold. Founded in Zurich in 1987 and now based in Lugano, the company offers clients direct access to bullion, supported by Swiss regulatory oversight, secure storage and a philosophy centred on real ownership.
In this interview, Enrico Bertola discusses Resonor’s origins, the enduring appeal of gold, and why the company remains committed to a model built on trust, discretion and long-term value.
Can you share the story of how Resonor was founded and what inspired you to enter the gold investment sector?
Resonor was founded in 1987 in the neighbourhood of Zurich by two brothers who had several projects in mind. After a few years, one of them ended up being the sole owner and decided to focus the company on the gold industry. When the founder decided to retire, my family took it over, bringing new life and new ideas.
Resonor moved its headquarters to Lugano and has been established there for several years. What strategic advantages has this location offered to your business?
The canton of Ticino is the global hub for gold refining. Within a 30-kilometre radius of our headquarters, almost 70% of the world’s refined gold is produced. I think that is reason enough for us to have chosen Lugano as our base.
What does the name “Resonor” signify, and how does it reflect your company’s mission?
Strangely enough, the name has nothing to do with gold; it comes from the combination of two French words meaning “sound recordings”. However, the final two letters, ‘or’, also mean ‘gold’ in several languages. So, it’s a name that fits our mission perfectly.
Gold is often described as a “safe haven” asset. How do you explain the enduring appeal of gold to investors in today’s financial landscape?
Gold has been a constant companion to humankind since the dawn of civilisation, serving as a symbol of both divinity and wealth. Over the centuries, it has always been the most precious asset and the ultimate form of money. These qualities have not been lost. Indeed, in today’s world, dominated by digital currencies and increasingly volatile financial markets, gold remains the only certainty.
How do you balance promoting gold as a long-term store of value and a flexible investment?
Gold is used for long-term investments, but it remains a liquid asset that can be sold at any moment and for any amount.
How has Resonor adapted its investment services to changing market conditions, such as recent volatility in traditional financial markets?
Our mission has always been to bring people into ‘physical’ contact with gold, rather than offering securities, certificates or financial instruments of any kind. Our customers buy and hold what they have purchased in their own hands. This way of operating requires no adjustments. It goes beyond and above what is offered by traditional financial markets.
Resonor offers customizable investment solutions. Can you describe what tailored services you provide and how you assess a client’s individual needs?
Our standard contracts are the base, easy to understand and fit most situations, but wealthy clients often need to adapt the investment to their needs and those of their families.
Your services include safekeeping, repurchase agreements, and potentially forward purchase plans. How do these features differentiate Resonor from other gold investment providers?
Most providers, banks included, sell gold in the form of contracts (certificates, ETF, ETC, etc.) where the client holds a title on paper but not the physical bar. Our services are designed to enable investors to purchase and hold bullion in a simple and secure manner.
Can you walk us through the process for a new investor—from initial consultation to acquiring their first gold bullion?
The process is very straightforward. An initial consultation with the client will enable us to determine which investment option is best suited to their financial situation and expectations.
Once the type of contract and its duration have been agreed upon, we will carry out the necessary due diligence in accordance with anti-money laundering regulations. After this has been completed, we will proceed to the execution phase: signing, payment, and delivery of the ingots.
Security and privacy are clearly priorities for your clients. What measures does Resonor take to ensure maximum confidentiality and protection of assets?
Legally speaking, ours is a private storage service and is therefore governed by extremely strict internal rules designed to protect our customers’ privacy. Their data is stored in digital archives protected by the highest level of IT security currently available.
How does being supervised by a Swiss self-regulatory organisation (PolyReg) influence your operational standards and client trust?
The SRO ensures compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and, more generally, that our conduct adheres to all Swiss regulations governing financial activities. Clients can therefore rest assured that our operations are subject to constant supervision by the authorities.
What role does insurance play in your vault custodial service, and how does that benefit investors?
Our vault is covered by a bank-standard insurance policy, which guarantees 100% compensation to customers in the event of theft. In addition, we have several other policies in place, covering directors’ and officers’ liability, operational risks and damage caused by cybercrime. To protect our customers, we also offer a free ombudsman service should any disputes arise.
Resonor has expanded relationships beyond Switzerland, including mining partnerships and operations in other markets. What opportunities do you see for further global growth?
To be honest, our company does not seek expansion at any cost. We only take action when we are certain that we can develop new business whilst maintaining our identity and without compromising our ethical principles.
Are there emerging investment trends or asset classes you’re watching that could complement your gold offering in the future?
In keeping with the philosophy that has guided us this far, I do not currently see any asset that could replace or complement gold in our range. However, we are constantly exploring new approaches and ways of presenting our products, so that more and more customers can discover the world of gold.
On the personal front, what has been the most challenging moment in building Resonor, and what lesson did you take from it?
As with any business, there have been tough times, which we have managed to overcome thanks to our determination and hard work. And we have realised that professionalism, integrity and dedication always pay off.
Looking ahead, how do you see Resonor’s role evolving within the wider wealth-management ecosystem? What legacy do you hope Resonor will leave?
We want to continue to be a reliable yet alternative point of reference to the traditional financial world. Our sales models will evolve, but the underlying concept will always remain the same: physical gold in the hands of our customers. When we first began offering this business model, few people understood it. It seemed outdated and uncompetitive compared to the far more attractive offerings of traditional finance. Today, however, many are trying to emulate us. This is our legacy.
To find out more about Resonor, visit the links below…
Resonor SA
Via Francesco Soave 1
6900 Lugano
Switzerland
Web: resonor.ch
Tel: +41 91 972 20 00
Email: contact@resonor.ch