History of Bank Sarasin
Rooted in the future – the foundations of successful growth
| 1841 to 1899 - The history of Bank Sarasin dates back to the middle of the 19th century. Johannes Riggenbach-Huber (1790–1859), the son of an unskilled worker in a traditional silk ribbon factory in Basel, started his career as an apprentice with Bank Ehinger & Cie, where he eventually became a partner. |
Johannes Riggenbach- |
Fritz Riggenbach- |
On 20 February 1841 Johannes Riggenbach set up his own company. Its activities not only included trading and freight forwarding, but banking. In only the second year of trading, Johannes’s son, Friedrich (Fritz) Riggenbach, joined the family business and subsequently took over the management of the company after his father died in 1860. The banking business flourished and in 1876 a licence was obtained to deal securities on the Basel stock exchange. |
A distinctive, enduring name – Sarasin - a long tradition of banking excellence
| 1900 to 1953 - On 1 January 1900 Alfred Sarasin-Iselin took over the management of the company from Fritz Riggenbach, teaming up with Arthur Streichenberg-Mylius to form the general partnership A. Sarasin & Cie. It was Alfred Sarasin who gave the Bank the name it still carries today. |
"Haus zum Eichbaum" (original head office) |
Under the leadership of A. Sarasin Bank Sarasin flourished and became one of the most famous and illustrious private banks in the Swiss financial community. |
The move into the 21st century – Bank Sarasin opens up
| 1954 to 2007 - Alfred Emanuel Sarasin followed in his grandfather’s footsteps in a number of respects: his interests extended far beyond the business itself: he was deeply involved in promoting the interests of the Swiss banking industry and was Chairman of the Swiss Bankers Association from 1965 to 1986. |
Alfred E. Sarasin
Sarasin's new headquarters |
Georg F. Krayer |
Alfred E. Sarasin did an extremely good job in leading the Bank into the 21st century. In 1987 the Bank made a move to become more open by converting into a limited commercial partnership, Bank Sarasin & Cie, listed on the stock exchange. In 1997 Georg F. Krayer took over as Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership the Bank forged ahead with the process that began when the business was floated on the stock market: stepping up the pace of growth, creating a more open culture and expanding its international presence. |
Sustainability means being prepared for the future – A look ahead
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2007 up to today One important component of this success is Sarasin’s corporate philosophy. It is centred on sustainability. The basic prerequisite is to achieve development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to a sustainable future by formulating and implementing a new claim in 2008: "Sustainable Swiss Private Banking since 1841." Sarasin views this commitment as a permanent yardstick for its success. |
Growth strategy and internationalisation
Joachim H. Straehle, the Bank’s CEO since September 2006, started to implement the international growth strategy in selected markets. The Bank expands its network of locations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, consistently diversifying its geographic footprint. The synergy effects created by the collaboration with the majority shareholder Rabobank continue to support this forwardlooking diversification. At the same time the Bank strengthens its presence in its home market of Switzerland.
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