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Pictet historic timeline

Pictet historic timeline

Since 1805

Pictet.
A story worth telling.

Journey through 220 years of Pictet history.
Explore eight pivotal moments, accompanied by archival images. Learn more
8, rue de la Corraterie 1856 3, cour Saint-Pierre 1805 6, rue Diday 1926 10, rue Diday 1910 29, boulevard Georges-Favon 1975 12, rue Petitot 1878 26, rue de la Cité 1819 60, route des Acacias 2006 Napoleonic wars 1803–1815 Geneve joined the Swiss Confederation 1815 First widespread financial crisis in the US Financial crisis triggers economic depression in Europe and North America 1873 Germany’s chancellor Bismarck devises world’s first pension. 1889 Swiss National Bank, pushed for by Ernest Pictet, begins operations; it later absorbs Banque du Commerce of which he was president for 36 years. 1907 Wall Street Crash 1929 Swiss Banking Act is passed; includes Article 47(b) reinforcing banking secrecy. 1934 Second World War 1939–1945 Washington Agreement unfreezes Swiss client assets abroad. 1946 Cuban missile crisis 1962 Student uprisings in Paris. 1968 President Nixon suspends dollar convertibility into gold. 1971 Arab OPEC members double the price of crude oil, triggering global energy crisis 1973 Black Monday, gigantic stock market crash. 1987 Japanese asset price bubble. 
The Imperial Palace is worth more than all real estate in California Rattled investors liquidate investments in US stocks and bonds and seek safety in gold 1893–1897 US financial panic caused by overexpansion of the economy 1857 Kaiser Wilhelm II chauffeured in Pic-Pic car on visit to Switzerland. 1912 Speculative investments in Latin America, including the imaginary country of ‘Poyais’, lead to a stock market crash in London. 1825 Creation of Swiss francs 1850 Russia invades Ukraine 2022 Subprime mortgage crisis 2008 Switzerland accepts Article 26 of OECD’s Model Tax Convention. 2009 UK leaves EU. Covid-19 coronavirus becomes global pandemic. 2020 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami. Arab Spring. 2011 Birth of the Euro. 9/11 terror attacks in the US trigger geopolitical uncertainty. 2001 11,000 of 25,000 us banks fail; unemployment in the us reaches 25% by 1933. 1929–1933 Geneva Banking
Crisis. 1931–1936 First World War 1914–1918 2020 MONACO, 
NEW YORK, SHANGHAI
offices 2017 stuttgart
office 2015 verona
office 2014 munich
office 2007 barcelona, dubai
offices 2006 rome 
office 2009 basel
office 2011 osaka, 
taipei
offices 2012 AMSTERDAM, BRUSSELS,
TEL-AVIV
offices Campus Pictet de Rochemont, Route des Acacias 2025 2025 LISBON
office 1805
THE ORIGINS OF PICTET On 23 July 1805, two young entrepreneurs, Jacob-Michel-François de Candolle and Jacques-Henry Mallet, signed a partnership deed in Geneva with three limited partners. 1841
THE FIRST ‘PICTET’ BECOMES 
A PARTNER When Edouard Pictet-Prevost became a Partner at , the name ‘Pictet’ was added to the company name and has remained so to this day. De Candolle, Turrettini & Cie 1926
GLOBAL INSTABILITY 
AND UNREST In the last decade of Guillaume Pictet’s leadership, Geneva underwent major industrial growth and the bank forged important links with America. After Guillaume’s death, the bank changed its name to Pictet & Cie and relocated its offices to 6 rue Diday just 50 meters away. 1955
RECOVERY To offset the consequences of World War II, the bank began to diversify its activities, in particular by investing in real estate and commodities. From 1960 onwards, wealth management started to enjoy a revival. 1974
EXPANDING BEYOND GENEVA In the second half of the 20th century, Pictet set up offices outside Europe in response to thestart of the globalisation of financial markets. Pictet embarks on its first ventures intoinstitutional asset management. 1989
GLOBALISATION TAKESHOLD The fall of the Berlin Wall marked the end of the Cold War.With the apparent victory of capitalism over communism,a new globalised world emerged, offering manynew opportunities (and risks) for investment. 2005
FROM LEGACY TO EXCELLENCE Having preserved its reputation and stability for 200 years, the firm now became a private bank of international stature with 2,000 employees. A period of consolidation and professionalisation of services followed, leading to the firm we know today. 2025
EMBRACING THE FUTURE, RESPECTING TRADITION 2025 will mark Pictet’s 220th anniversary and workon its new head office is due to be completed. The Campus Pictet de Rochemont will representan institution proud of its roots but with a clear focuson success and sustainability for future generations. 1974 montreal office 1989 luxembourg office 1951 montevideo office

closed 1974 1981 tokyo 
office 1982 zurich office 1986 hong kong office 1995 singapore office 1998 LAUSANNE 
RIO DE JANEIRO* VANCOUVER**
offices

* closed 2003
** Closed 2002 2000 milan & turin
offices 1999 frankfurt
office 2003 madrid
office 2004 paris
office 1978 nassau
office 1956 beirut 
office

closed 1956 1980 london 
office 1949 tangier 
office

closed 1956
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