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Adam Abdellaoui
Of Counsel
How to Open an Account with CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA
Date of last update: 12 January 2026
CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique SA is a Geneva-based private banking institution established in 1975, specializing in wealth management and private banking services for international high-net-worth individuals and family offices.
The bank operates under Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA oversight and maintains offices across Switzerland and key financial centers globally.
The bank operates under Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA oversight and maintains offices across Switzerland and key financial centers globally.
+41 (44) 5152530
CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique
Updated: January 2026
Legal Form
SA (Société Anonyme)
Family-owned (Benhamou)
Headquarters
Geneva, CH
Founded 1975
Assets Under Management
CHF 16.3bn
As at 31 Dec 2024
SP Rating
BBB / A-2
Investment Grade
Financial Strength & Structure
Tier 1 Capital Ratio
39.8%
Significantly above regulatory minimums (Dec 31, 2024)
Global Booking Centers
4 Jurisdictions
Switzerland • Bahamas • United Kingdom • Luxembourg
Core Banking Solutions
01
Private Banking
- Relationship-based service
- Long-term preservation focus
- Swiss banking confidentiality
- Discretionary mandates
02
Investment Services
- Open architecture model
- Proprietary funds (1618 SICAV)
- Lombard loans & financing
- Global market execution
03
Family Office
- Wealth planning coordination
- Succession structuring
- Philanthropic advisory
- Next-gen education
Maria Werner
Of Counsel – specialized in corporate law and tax law
info@goldblum.ch
+41 (44) 5152530
Technology & Fintech Solutions
Infrastructure for corporate clients and fintech partnerships
Card Issuance
Principal Member of Visa providing BIN sponsorship, white-label programs, and co-branding arrangements.
Business APIs
Integrate banking functions including digital onboarding, card ordering, and payment security directly into client systems.
HELVETICARD App
Mobile management for cards with Apple Pay integration, push notifications, and detailed transaction history.
Account Opening Process
Minimum Deposit CHF 1,000,000 Investable assets
Typical Timeframe ~2 Weeks For straightforward cases
Requirement Personal Meeting Mandatory for opening
5-Step Procedure
1. Initial Consultation
Preliminary screening to assess fit and service offerings.
2. Documentation
Submission of passport, proof of address, CV, and source of funds.
3. Compliance Review
Enhanced due diligence, sanctions screening, and verification.
4. Contract Execution
Signature of agreements and mandatory personal meeting.
5. Activation
Initial deposit funding and issuance of access credentials.
Office Locations
Switzerland
Geneva (Headquarters)
Boulevard Emile-Jaques-Dalcroze 7
Zurich (Branch)
Bahnhofstrasse 82
St. Moritz
Representative Office
International Hubs
Nassau (Bank) London (Wealth UK) Hong Kong (Asia Ltd) Luxembourg (Funds) Tel Aviv Rio de Janeiro São Paulo
Evolution Milestones
1975
Founded as Stock and Commodity Services (brokerage).
1991
Obtained full banking authorization from Swiss authorities.
2009
Rebranded to CBH Bank; Benhamou family takes majority ownership.
2012-17
Expansion: Opened London subsidiary and acquired TTG (Hong Kong).
Regulatory Context & Investigations
FINMA Enforcement Proceeding
November 2021Regulator identified deficiencies in AML customer due diligence (2012–2020) regarding Venezuelan clients. Mandated compliance remediation and relationship terminations. No financial penalties imposed.
Eliminalia Investigation
February 2023OCCRP reported allegations linking the bank to reputation management firm Eliminalia via contractor ReputationUp. Bank confirmed contracting ReputationUp but denied knowledge of illegal activities.
Bahamas Court Ruling
May 2022Supreme Court ruling criticizing CBH Bahamas for negligence in a fraud case involving communication with fraudsters.
Frequently asked questions
Prospective clients initiate contact through CBH's website or by reaching a relationship manager directly. The bank conducts preliminary screening to assess service fit and regulatory requirements. Clients must meet minimum asset thresholds (CHF 1,000,000 for private banking) and complete comprehensive due diligence including identity verification, source of funds documentation, and compliance checks. A personal meeting with a CBH representative is mandatory. The process typically requires two weeks for straightforward cases.
CBH Bank requires a minimum of CHF 1,000,000 in investable assets for private banking relationships. This threshold positions CBH in the mid-tier segment of Swiss private banks. Minimum requirements may vary based on service type, client profile, and relationship complexity. Prospective clients should confirm current thresholds during initial consultations.
CBH Bank operates under FINMA supervision and maintains a Tier 1 capital ratio of 39.8% (2024), well above regulatory minimums. The bank faced a 2021 FINMA enforcement action for anti-money laundering deficiencies during 2012–2020, resulting in mandated compliance improvements and termination of Venezuelan client relationships. No financial penalties were imposed. The bank has implemented enhanced due diligence procedures following regulatory findings. Prospective clients should evaluate the bank's regulatory standing, capital strength, and compliance framework as part of their selection process.
CBH operates as a mid-sized family-owned private bank focused on wealth management, contrasting with large universal banks (UBS) that combine retail, corporate, and investment banking. CBH's asset base (CHF 16.3 billion) is substantially smaller than major Swiss banks but larger than boutique wealth managers. The bank differentiates through fintech infrastructure offerings including card issuance programs (as Principal Member of Visa with e-money license in the UK), business APIs, digital onboarding, and e-wallet solutions, which traditional private banks typically do not provide. CBH's independent ownership structure differs from partnership models at firms like Pictet and Lombard Odier.
CBH Bank provides card issuance infrastructure for fintech and corporate clients as a Principal Member of Visa, including BIN sponsorship, co-branding programs, and white-label card solutions. The bank holds a Swiss banking license and an e-money license in the UK. Services include digital onboarding, card ordering, card blocking, payment security, digital token (e-wallet) functionality, and push notifications. The bank offers APIs for payment initiation, account information, and transaction reporting. Services require formal partnership agreements and compliance with CBH's security standards.
CBH provides Lombard loans collateralized against client portfolios, letters of credit and guarantees for international trade transactions, mortgage and real estate financing coordinated through banking partners, and yacht and aircraft financing. The trading desk operates during European and North American trading hours, covering equities, bonds, forex, options, futures, commodities, and structured derivative products.
CBH operates four booking centers: Switzerland, Bahamas, United Kingdom, and Luxembourg. The bank provides external asset managers with custody services, portfolio administration, and middle-office support across these jurisdictions, accommodating complex structures including segregated mandates, fund-of-funds arrangements, and multi-currency portfolios.
CBH does not invest for its own account and only extends credit against pledged collateral assets. The Board of Directors oversees implementation of the risk framework. The bank takes a prudent approach to established risk management principles and sets limits as part of its risk management approach. CBH is not significantly exposed to interest rate risk, and credit risks are limited and continuously monitored through daily counterparty risk checks and currency exposure monitoring.
CBH provides discretionary mandates (traditional, thematic, and customized), investment advisory services, and access to 1618 Funds SICAV offering six in-house investment funds. The bank operates under an open architecture model, selecting investments from external providers rather than exclusively promoting proprietary products. The investment universe spans public equities, fixed income, alternative investments, and structured products.
CBH integrates wealth management with tax planning coordination, estate structuring, philanthropic advisory, and next-generation wealth education. The bank does not provide direct tax or legal advice but coordinates with clients' external advisors to implement integrated strategies encompassing all aspects of family wealth and needs.
Adam Abdellaoui
Your personal contact
Of Counsel
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