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Adam Abdellaoui
Of Counsel
Your consultant
Bordier & Cie— Bank account opening in Switzerland
Date of last update: 12 January 2026
Bordier & Cie operates as one of Switzerland's last independent family-owned private banks, maintaining an unlimited liability partnership structure since 1844. The bank manages CHF 18.2 billion in assets for high-net-worth clients across three continents, with managing partners risking personal wealth to guarantee client interests—a model aligning long-term stability with conservative risk management.
+41 (44) 5152530
Bordier & Cie
Swiss private bank since 1844
Assets Under Management
CHF 18.2bn
June 2024
Ownership Structure
Unlimited Liability
Family Partnership
Founded
1844
Geneva, Switzerland
Regulator
FINMA
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority
The Bordier Model: Unlimited Liability
Managing partners bear unlimited personal liability for the bank's obligations, ensuring decisions prioritize decades of stability over short-term quarters.
"Our unlimited liability is not a legal technicality—it is the foundation of how we think about risk. Every decision we make is tested against a simple question: would I stake my family's wealth on this outcome?"
— Grégoire Bordier, Senior Managing Partner
Standard Bank (PLC)
Limited Liability
Shareholder profit maximization
Bordier & Cie (SCmA)
Unlimited Liability
Partners' private wealth backs client assets
Core Services
Private Banking
Personalized banking for UHNWI, family groups, and non-profits. Emphasizes trust-based relationships with multilingual staff supporting diverse global jurisdictions.
Wealth Management
70% of assets managed in-house. Discretionary mandates constructed on detailed analysis. Access to Private Equity via Moonfare and crypto via Sygnum.
Family Office
Support for multigenerational wealth preservation, succession planning, and legacy structuring. Advising on discreet asset management and governance.
Entry Thresholds & Profile
Minimum Assets
CHF 500k – 1M
For individual accounts
Average Client
CHF 3M – 5M
Assets under management
Target Clients
HNWI, UHNWI
Family Offices, Entrepreneurs
Account Opening Process
Standard timeline: 2 to 4 weeks
01
Initial Consultation
Assessment of eligibility via email or 15-minute video call.
02
Documentation
Submission of identity documents, KYC data, and source of funds confirmation.
03
Compliance Review
Enhanced due diligence verifying solvency, identity, and wealth origin.
04
Activation
Account setup, relationship manager assignment, and strategy definition.
Maria Werner
Of Counsel – specialized in corporate law and tax law
info@goldblum.ch
+41 (44) 5152530
Indicative Fee Structure
| Service Type | Annual Fee (p.a.) |
|---|---|
| Discretionary Mandates | 0.5% – 1.5% |
| Advisory Mandates | 0.3% – 0.8% |
| Custody Services | 0.1% – 0.3% |
Note: Advisory mandates typically carry additional transaction costs. Specific schedules are negotiated during account opening.
International Presence
11 offices across 6 countries
Switzerland
- Geneva (HQ)
- Zurich
- Bern
- Nyon
- Lausanne (opened 2026)
Europe (UK & France)
- London
- Paris
- Brest
- Rennes
Asia & Americas
- Singapore
- Uruguay
- Turks and Caicos
Milestones: From 1844 to 2026
1844
Founded by Jaques Reverdin in Geneva.
1895
Renamed to Bordier & Cie.
1997
Opened Zurich office.
2011
Established Singapore office.
2026
Expansion with new office in Lausanne (Avenue Mon-Repos 22).
Frequently asked questions
Bordier & Cie is an independent Swiss private bank founded in 1844 in Geneva, organized as a partnership with unlimited liability. Three managing partners—Grégoire Bordier, Evrard Bordier, and Christian Skaanild—own and operate the bank, bearing personal responsibility for all client commitments. The bank specializes in wealth management for high-net-worth individuals and families, managing CHF 18.2 billion in assets across 11 offices worldwide.
The unlimited liability partnership structure distinguishes Bordier from corporate banks. Managing partners risk their personal wealth to guarantee client obligations, creating direct alignment between their financial interests and client outcomes. This model enforces conservative risk management and long-term thinking.
Yes. Bordier & Cie (UK) PLC operates from 23 King Street, London, SW1Y 6QY. The UK subsidiary is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and provides wealth management services to British clients. The London office was incorporated on 1 September 1981.
Bordier & Cie focuses on high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI), family offices, and entrepreneurs. The bank typically requires minimum assets of CHF 500,000–1,000,000 for individual accounts, with an average client holding CHF 3–5 million under management.
Client assets are segregated from the bank's proprietary assets under Swiss banking law. Bordier & Cie participates in the esisuisse deposit insurance scheme, which protects deposits up to CHF 100,000 per client in the event of bank insolvency. The bank maintains a CET1 capital ratio of 33.3%, significantly above regulatory minimums.
Bordier & Cie structures fees based on service type: discretionary mandates typically 0.5%–1.5% annually on assets under management, advisory mandates 0.3%–0.8% annually plus transaction costs, and custody services 0.1%–0.3% of asset value. Specific fee schedules are negotiated during account opening based on client profile and service requirements.
Bordier & Cie requires an initial in-person meeting at one of its offices for account opening, in compliance with Swiss AML regulations. Video identification may be accepted in exceptional circumstances for clients in jurisdictions where physical travel is restricted, subject to enhanced due diligence. After account activation, clients can manage their accounts remotely via the secure web portal and mobile app.
Standard account opening takes two to four weeks from initial consultation to activation, assuming complete documentation and straightforward compliance review. Complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions, corporate structures, or enhanced due diligence requirements may extend to six to eight weeks.
Bordier & Cie partnered with Sygnum in 2021 to offer trading and custody of Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Tezos. The bank requires comprehensive source of funds documentation for crypto-derived wealth, including proof of exchange transactions, wallet histories, and compliance with Swiss AML standards.
Yes. Bordier & Cie provides secure digital access to accounts via web portal and mobile app with two-factor authentication using OTP devices. Clients can view account balances, investment portfolios, and transaction history in real-time. Technical support is available 9 AM–6 PM CET on weekdays.
Adam Abdellaoui
Your personal contact
Of Counsel
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