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Bank Sarasin: a success story dating back to 1841

An established specialist in asset management and investment advisory services, Bank Sarasin has a very illustrious history stretching back more than 160 years. Johannes Riggenbach-Huber laid the foundation for the Bank in Basel in 1841, when he set up a “mercantile business“ which was involved in freight forwarding, as well as in banking services.

In 1893 Alfred Sarasin-Iselin took over the management of the company. His entrepreneurial spirit was the driving force behind the business which gradually evolved into one of the most highly respected and traditional institutions in Swiss private banking: Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd.

A private bank with offices throughout Europe

In 1987 the private bank changed its corporate structure to a limited commercial partnership, maintaining the unlimited personal liability of its partners. At the same time the bank expanded its network not only in Switzerland, but also in Europe. The most important milestone in the bank’s history was its conversion to a public limited company in 2002.

Exploring new markets with Rabobank

Sarasin’s conversion into a plc allowed it to enter a strategic alliance with the Dutch Rabobank Group – the only bank in the world without a state guarantee to command a triple-A credit rating. In 2002, Rabobank acquired a 28% stake in the Sarasin Group. As part of the move, Rabobank’s international private banking units in Singapore and Hong Kong were integrated into the Sarasin Group. Since 2005, Bank Sarasin has also had an office in Dubai. Internationalisation represents a key element of the bank’s growth strategy.

After Rabobank at the end of 2006 exercised its option to purchase all the shares in Eichbaum Holding Ltd – a holding company owning a majority interest in Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd. – the share purchase has been formally closed on 11 April 2007. As expected, all the preconditions have been met and the necessary decisions and approvals obtained from the relevant authorities. Rabobank now owns 46.06% of the share capital and holds 68.63% of the voting rights, making it majority shareholder in Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd. Bank Sarasin retains its operational independence as a leading Swiss private bank and keeps its public listing on the SIX Swiss Stock Exchange.