History of Bank Sarasin
Pioneering role in Switzerland
1841 – 1899
Johannes |
Fritz |
The history of Bank Sarasin dates back to the middle of the 19th century. On 20 February 1841 Johannes Riggenbach set up his own company whose activities included trading, freight forwarding and banking. In only the second year of trading, his son, Friedrich (Fritz) Riggenbach, joined the family business and subsequently took over the management of the company after his father died in 1860. |
1900 – 1953
Alfred Sarasin-Iselin |
 |
On 1 January 1900 Alfred Sarasin-Iselin took over the management of the company from Fritz Riggenbach. Alfred Sarasin gave the Bank the name it still carries today. Under his leadership, Bank Sarasin flourished and became one of the most famous and illustrious private banks in the Swiss financial community. From 1926 onwards the Bank was managed by Bernhard Sarasin, a highly experienced and well-respected financial expert of his time. |
Growth and internationalisation
1954 – 1999
Alfred E. Sarasin |
|
After Bernhard's unexpected death, Alfred E. Sarasin took over the running of the bank at the tender age of 28. Under his leadership, the Bank saw its business volumes steadily grow. 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. |
| 2000 – today | The annual general meeting of shareholders on 4 June 2002 passed a resolution for the Bank to convert into a public limited company, Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd. An international growth strategy was then drawn up and implemented which involved the expansion of the Group's network of locations in Switzerland, in selected European markets and also in the Middle East and Asia. |
| In the summer of 2012, Safra became the new majority shareholder of Bank Sarasin. For Sarasin, Safra represents a well-capitalised majority shareholder that reinforces Sarasin’s strong position as an independent Swiss private bank and effectively supports Sarasin’s strategy and business model under the existing well-recognised brand and management team. Sarasin and Safra are also a good strategic fit in terms of their geographical markets. Both have an excellent international reputation in private banking. Safra is a guarantor for continuity, stability and added value over the long term. With Safra as majority shareholder, Sarasin therefore remains what it has always been: a leading Swiss private bank providing its clients personal, individual and professional customer care, offering top-quality products and services based on trust and discretion. |
Further information:
| Our logo - it's roots |
| Our name - about the history of the Sarasin family in Basel |
