Pictet in brief
| Founded in Geneva in 1805, Pictet & Cie is today not only one of the largest private banks in Switzerland (and Geneva’s leading private banker) but also an international banking group. Established at the outset as a partnership, the Bank currently belongs to seven partners who are responsible for running the organisation and are jointly and wholly liable for its undertakings. |
 Wealth management as the backclothPictet’s flagship activity is wealth management and all services stemming from this. It offers a wide range of services to a demanding international clientele, such as private wealth management, institutional wealth management, investment fund administration and management, Swiss stock-exchange services, Global Custody, Family Office and services to independent asset managers. Although it holds a universal bank licence, the Bank does not provide commercial loans. |
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An international company In order to meet the needs of its international clientele, the Group is expanding its human resources in various areas (front office, operational and senior management) and is recruiting people from other countries. New working practices are being used to adapt to market specificities, the requirements of the business lines and geographical criteria. Another policy is to strengthen relations with the various Pictet offices worldwide. This approach is accompanied by one that encourages internal mobility within Group departments. Moreover, the headcount rose from 300 in 1980 to more than 2,800 in 2007, attesting to the strong growth of the Group. The same trend is reflected in the volume of funds deposited with Pictet. Funds under management and administration have also grown substantially, surpassing CHF 428 billion by 31 December 2007. |
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 A new head office, a symbol of modernityThe uninterrupted growth of the Bank has prompted management to build a new head office where all its employees can be together within one model building, a veritable symbol of its future. This move is first and foremost a testimony to the Bank’s total and complete commitment and to its confidence in its future. The scale of such an investment is considerable and testifies to the Bank’s complete faith in the future of the banking profession. The design and construction of the building were wholly based on our corporate values and instilled in the project architect. The same is true of the choice of materials, with its eight metre-long facade panels – each weighing six tonnes – themselves symbols of continuity and solidity. The colour and outline of the building are symbols of sobriety and discretion. The state-of-the-art technological innovations incorporated into the building attest to its desire for excellence. With its new office block, Pictet will have one of the most modern working environments in Geneva. |
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Fundamental cultural values The success of a business depends to a great extent on its employees buying into the corporate culture. The sharing of common values undoubtedly facilitates interaction, especially if the head office staff are together under the same roof. Corporate culture concerns us all. Each of us has a role to play in conveying our common values, which are: a spirit of independence, prosperity with integrity, constantly striving for excellence, and respect for the individual client and their expectations. |
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