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Adam Abdellaoui
Of Counsel
Banque SYZ SA - How to Open an Account with
Date of last update: 12 January 2026
Banque Syz SA, founded in Geneva in 1996, is a family-owned Swiss private bank specializing in wealth management and alternative investments. With CHF 25.8 billion in assets under management as of 2024, the bank serves private clients, family offices and institutional investors through nine offices in Switzerland and select international locations.
Banque Syz combines boutique flexibility with institutional investment processes, maintaining independence from large banking networks while delivering personalized wealth solutions.
Banque Syz combines boutique flexibility with institutional investment processes, maintaining independence from large banking networks while delivering personalized wealth solutions.
+41 (44) 5152530
Banque Syz SA
Family-owned Swiss Private Bank
Assets Under Management
CHF 25.8bn
As of 2024
Financial Strength
25.6%
CET1 Capital Ratio (Group)
Established
1996
Founded in Geneva
Network
9 Offices
Switzerland & International
Core Wealth Solutions
Private Banking
High-net-worth wealth management offering discretionary portfolio management, advisory services, and estate planning tailored to financial goals.
Wealth Management
Institutional approach for private clients featuring active asset allocation and structured portfolios designed for capital preservation.
Alternative Investments
Access to private equity and hedge fund strategies via Syz Capital, with co-investment opportunities alongside the Syz family.
Digital Asset Services
Integrated custody and trading for cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon) appearing on unified banking statements.
Investment Process
Banque Syz formalizes a five-stage institutional framework for private portfolios:
1
Client Profiling
Definition of risk tolerance, tax situation, and liquidity needs.
2
Strategic Allocation
Establishment of the long-term investment framework.
3
Tactical Positioning
Market-responsive adjustments to asset weighting.
4
Implementation
Precise security selection and trade execution.
5
Monitoring & Rebalancing
Continuous oversight and reporting of portfolio performance.
Strategic Differentiators
Boutique Scale, Institutional Capability
With CHF 25.8bn AuM, Syz combines the agility and speed of a smaller bank with investment processes and risk controls comparable to major institutions.
Active Management
Explicit rejection of passive indexing. Portfolios feature concentrated, high-conviction positions and alternative investments as core components.
Family Co-Investment
Syz family capital is invested alongside client assets in private equity and hedge fund strategies, ensuring direct alignment of interests.
Entrepreneurial Focus
Services are specifically targeted at entrepreneurs and business owners who value flexibility over traditional banking brand prestige.
Account Capabilities
Multi-Currency Support
Standard & Exotic
Standard accounts in CHF, EUR, USD, and GBP. Family offices and institutions can access exotic currencies and custom baskets.
Digital Assets
Custody & Trading
Support for BTC, ETH, MATIC, and LINK. Unified reporting combines traditional and crypto assets in one statement.
Process
Onboarding
Requires personal presence in Geneva or Zurich. Approx. 4 week timeline with enhanced due diligence. No fixed minimum published.
Credit
Lending Facilities
Lombard loans and mortgages for private clients. Structured lending and credit lines available for corporate entities.
Bank Development
1996
Founded in Geneva by Eric Syz, Alfredo Piacentini, and Paolo Luban.
2014
Eric Syz consolidates majority ownership after partners depart.
2015
Acquisition of Royal Bank of Canada (Suisse) SA, adding CHF 10bn AuM.
2019
Leadership transition: Eric Syz to Group CEO, Nicolas Syz to Head of Private Banking.
2024–Present
AuM reaches CHF 25.8bn; expanded digital asset services and rebranding.
Office Network
Switzerland
- → Geneva (Headquarters)
- → Zurich
- → Lugano
- → Locarno
International
- → London (UK)
- → Istanbul (Turkey)
- → Johannesburg (South Africa)
Maria Werner
Of Counsel – specialized in corporate law and tax law
info@goldblum.ch
+41 (44) 5152530
Regulatory Framework
✓ FINMA Licensed
Supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority as a licensed bank.
✓ Deposit Protection
Deposits protected up to CHF 100,000 per depositor via esisuisse.
✓ Industry Member
Member of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA).
Frequently asked questions
Banque Syz SA is licensed and supervised by the [Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and participates in the Swiss deposit protection scheme (esisuisse). The bank maintains a CET1 capital ratio of 25.6% (group, audited 31.12.2024), significantly above regulatory minimums, and has operated continuously since 1996 without interruption. Banque Syz is a member of the Swiss Bankers Association.
Banque Syz does not publish a fixed minimum deposit requirement. The bank evaluates each client relationship individually based on service needs, portfolio complexity and anticipated account activity. During the initial consultation, relationship managers discuss appropriate deposit levels aligned with your wealth management objectives and the bank's service model.
The Syz family controls Banque Syz SA through majority ownership of Syz Group. Eric Syz, co-founder and CEO of Syz Group, became the majority shareholder in 2014 after the departure of his original partners. The bank's March 2025 press release describes Syz Group as a "family-owned Swiss banking group," confirming continued family control.
Banque Syz maintains offices in Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich, Lugano, Locarno) and international locations including Istanbul (Turkey) and Johannesburg (South Africa). The bank previously operated offices in Hong Kong and Dubai but these are no longer listed in current corporate materials.
Syz private banking provides discretionary portfolio management, advisory services, family office solutions, estate planning, tax optimization consulting, philanthropic structuring and multi-generational wealth planning. Each client receives a dedicated relationship manager supported by investment specialists, legal advisors and tax consultants.
Banque Syz applies institutional-grade investment processes with active management independent of benchmark indices. The bank focuses on concentrated positions in high-conviction ideas, systematic downside protection through hedging strategies, and integration of alternative investments as core portfolio components rather than peripheral allocations.
Yes. In 2024, Syz expanded cryptocurrency and token services for private clients. The bank provides custody and trading of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon and Chainlink, integrated into unified account statements alongside traditional assets, aligned with Swiss AML regulations.
Account opening requires personal presence in Geneva or Zurich. Documentation includes completed bank forms, passport copy and curriculum vitae. The onboarding process typically takes four weeks and includes enhanced due diligence. Minimum deposit thresholds are determined individually based on client profile and service requirements.
Syz Capital is the group's alternatives platform providing access to private equity and hedge fund strategies typically reserved for institutional investors. The Syz family co-invests personal capital in each opportunity to ensure alignment of interests with clients.
Banque Syz does not operate a traditional investment banking division offering M&A advisory or capital markets underwriting. The bank's institutional services focus on asset management for Swiss pension funds, insurance companies and corporate treasuries through Syz Asset Management, managing bond and money market strategies.
The bank offers current accounts, savings facilities and credit lines denominated in CHF, EUR, USD and GBP, with additional currencies available for family offices and institutional clients. Multi-currency management is accessible through the SYZ Direct e-banking platform.
Banque Syz SA operates under Swiss banking law and is supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The bank is a member of the Swiss Bankers Association and participates in the esisuisse deposit protection scheme, protecting deposits up to CHF 100,000 per depositor.
Adam Abdellaoui
Your personal contact
Of Counsel
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