What difference does being independent make to Pictet?

Pictet is not listed on any stock exchange and is still exclusively owned by individual partners. As such, the Bank is in no danger of being taken over. A private bank like Pictet, with no outside shareholders, is free from the pressure of having to pursue short-term growth merely to satisfy the public market. This is the fundamental advantage that being independent gives Pictet, and this independence allows it to focus on organic growth rather than seeking expansion through mergers and acquisitions.

Pictet's independence also stems from specialisation in its core business: from the outset, the Bank has focused solely on managing the wealth of private individuals and institutional investors. This not only provides the Bank with a hallmark of expertise, but also allows its investment professionals to evaluate a broad range of investment opinions freely, and to use entirely objective research in formulating their recommendations.

This independence of spirit would, however, be meaningless if it were not underpinned by Pictet's financial strength, which gives it the latitude to be able to invest in its human resources, in information technology and in the infrastructure that is indispensable for it to continue as a flourishing concern.