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Adam Abdellaoui
Of Counsel
Lombard Odier & Co AG - How to Open an Account
Date of last update: 12 January 2026
Founded in 1796, Lombard Odier stands as one of Switzerland's oldest and most prestigious private banks, specializing in wealth management, private banking, and asset management for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients worldwide.
With over 225 years of heritage, the bank combines Swiss financial tradition with modern investment strategies, maintaining independence through its unique partnership structure while managing CHF 215 billion in assets as of end-2024.
With over 225 years of heritage, the bank combines Swiss financial tradition with modern investment strategies, maintaining independence through its unique partnership structure while managing CHF 215 billion in assets as of end-2024.
+41 (44) 5152530
Lombard Odier
Switzerland's oldest private bank • Founded 1796 • Geneva Headquarters
Legal Form
Private Partnership
Limited Liability Company since 2014
Global Presence
25+ Offices
Across 19+ countries
Managing Partners
7 Partners
Unlimited liability governance
Update Status
January 2026
Latest data incorporated
Financial Stability (End-2024)
Assets Under Management
CHF 215bn
Total client assets: CHF 327bn
Capital Adequacy (CET1)
32%
Double the regulatory minimum
Fitch Credit Rating
AA-
Stable outlook (Affirmed July 2024)
Key Business Divisions
Private Banking
Bespoke wealth management for families and entrepreneurs. Discretionary and advisory mandates tailored to financial goals.
CHF 193bn Assets (2023)
Asset Management
Institutional solutions (LOIM) focusing on sustainability, thematics, and alternatives.
CHF 63bn Assets (2022)
Banking Technology
Proprietary core banking platforms and digital interfaces provided to third-party financial institutions.
CHF 58bn 3rd-Party Assets
Heritage & Evolution
1796
Henri Hentsch founds H. Hentsch & Cie in Geneva.
1830
Charles Odier joins Jean-Eloi Lombard, creating Lombard, Odier & Cie.
2002
Merger with Darier, Hentsch & Cie consolidates four founding families.
2014
Restructuring into Limited Liability Company while retaining partnership governance.
2019-Present
Adoption of "Rethink Everything" philosophy favoring sustainable transition.
How to Open an Account
01
Consultation
Initial discussion of goals and preliminary screening.
02
Documentation
Submission of passport, source of funds, and tax residency proof.
03
Compliance
Rigorous KYC/AML due diligence (weeks to months).
04
Activation
Mandate selection (discretionary or advisory) and initial deposit.
Minimum Deposit Requirements
While precise thresholds are not public, industry sources indicate typical requirements of CHF 500,000 to CHF 1,000,000. Amounts vary individually based on profile and jurisdiction.
Maria Werner
Of Counsel – specialized in corporate law and tax law
info@goldblum.ch
+41 (44) 5152530
Industry Recognition
World's Best Private Bank
Euromoney Private Banking Awards 2025
Best Branding in Private Banking (Europe)
FT PWM Global Private Banking Awards 2024 (3rd consecutive year)
Western Europe's Best Pure-Play Private Bank
Euromoney 2024
Swiss Offices
Geneva (Headquarters)
Parc Messidor 3
1293 Bellevue, Switzerland
Phone: +41 22 793 06 87
New headquarters opening anticipated 2025
Zürich
Sihlstrasse 20
8021 Zürich, Switzerland
Phone: +41 44 214 11 11
Frequently asked questions
Lombard Odier operates as an independent private partnership focused exclusively on wealth and asset management, contrasting with universal banking models. Key differentiators include boutique approach with high personalization, private ownership structure (not publicly traded), 225-year heritage maintaining family-founded values, and capital strength with 32% CET1 ratio exceeding industry averages. The bank serves high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients through dedicated relationship managers rather than standardized retail banking products.
Lombard Odier does not publicly disclose minimum deposit requirements, as thresholds are determined individually during initial consultation based on client profile, jurisdiction, asset complexity, and service needs. Industry sources indicate typical minimums ranging from CHF 500,000 to CHF 1,000,000 or equivalent, with higher thresholds for non-residents and classic private banking relationships. Final requirements depend on comprehensive assessment during the onboarding process.
The process begins with contacting one of the bank's offices to schedule an initial consultation with a relationship manager. During this meeting, you'll discuss financial goals, investment preferences, and service requirements. Following preliminary assessment, the bank initiates formal KYC/AML procedures requiring documentation of identity, address, source of funds, and tax residency. Compliance review timelines vary from weeks to months depending on case complexity. Upon approval, you'll select mandate type (discretionary or advisory), sign contracts, and transfer initial deposit to activate the account.
Lombard Odier regularly publishes economic research and analytical materials in the "Insights" section of its official website (lombardodier.com/home/insights), covering market outlooks, investment strategies, private banking trends, and sustainability topics. As a private company, the bank does not publish financial reports in the same detail as publicly traded institutions. Thematic sustainability insights appear in the dedicated "Rethink Sustainability" subsection, featuring research on systemic economic transitions and impact investing strategies.
Yes. Lombard Odier maintains a global network of 25+ offices across 19+ countries, serving clients from Europe, Asia, Middle East, and the Americas. The bank employs multilingual staff fluent in English, German, French, and other languages to accommodate international clientele. Each client relationship is structured according to their home jurisdiction's regulatory requirements, tax treaties, and compliance standards, ensuring full legal and regulatory alignment regardless of origin.
Unlike publicly traded banks with dispersed shareholders and separate boards, Lombard Odier's managing partners are simultaneously owners, executives, and board members. This alignment eliminates conflicts between shareholder returns and long-term client interests, enabling multi-generational planning horizons. The seven managing partners as of end-2025—Hubert Keller, Denis Pittet, Frédéric Rochat, Alexandre Zeller, Annika Falkengren, Jean-Pascal Porcherot, and Jérôme Koechlin—bear unlimited liability for the bank's obligations, reinforcing conservative risk management.
The bank's "rethink everything®" philosophy centers on three structural transitions: net-zero emissions, circular economy (CLIC®), and natural capital preservation. Rather than simple ESG screening, Lombard Odier reallocates capital from carbon-intensive linear business models to companies positioned as beneficiaries of systemic change. Portfolio construction integrates climate risk analysis, transition pathway assessment, and impact measurement across all asset classes, with dedicated thematic funds targeting decarbonization, resource efficiency, and climate adaptation.
Initial consultation and preliminary KYC screening occur within 1-2 weeks of first contact. Document preparation and submission typically require 2-4 weeks depending on client complexity and jurisdiction. Comprehensive KYC/AML compliance review ranges from 4-8 weeks for straightforward cases to 3-6 months for complex beneficial ownership structures or high-risk jurisdictions. Account activation and onboarding follow immediately upon compliance approval, with full operational access within 1-2 weeks of contract signing.
Yes. Through a separate IT subsidiary, Lombard Odier provides core banking platforms, portfolio management systems, and digital client interfaces to third-party financial institutions. As of 2022, the technology division managed CHF 58 billion in assets for external clients, demonstrating the bank's infrastructure capabilities beyond its own private banking operations. This B2B offering includes regulatory compliance modules, risk management tools, and client reporting systems.
As a Swiss bank, Lombard Odier is supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and must comply with Swiss Banking Act requirements, anti-money laundering regulations, and capital adequacy standards. The bank's 32% CET1 capital ratio as of end-2024 significantly exceeds regulatory minimums, providing substantial buffer against market volatility. International operations are subject to local regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction, including FCA oversight in the UK, MAS in Singapore, and DFSA in Dubai.
The bank implements comprehensive tax transparency frameworks including automatic exchange of information (AEOI) under Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and FATCA compliance for US persons. Client onboarding includes detailed tax residency verification, beneficial ownership disclosure, and ongoing monitoring of tax status changes. Lombard Odier does not facilitate tax evasion and requires clients to maintain full compliance with their home jurisdiction's tax obligations, providing documentation support for voluntary disclosure programs where applicable.
While the bank does not publish fixed thresholds, industry practice suggests CHF 500,000-1,000,000 for advisory mandates with limited services, CHF 2-5 million for full discretionary wealth management with dedicated relationship manager, and CHF 10+ million for comprehensive family office services including estate planning, trust administration, and multi-generational wealth transfer structures. Ultra-high-net-worth clients (CHF 50+ million) receive bespoke solutions including direct access to managing partners and participation in exclusive investment opportunities.
While the bank does not directly provide legal services, it maintains close relationships with Swiss law firms specializing in corporate formation, tax planning, and regulatory compliance. Clients seeking to establish Swiss entities (AG, GmbH, holding companies) or implement cross-border structures receive referrals to qualified legal counsel, with Lombard Odier coordinating banking, fiduciary, and administrative services once structures are established. This integrated approach ensures alignment between legal, tax, and wealth management strategies.
Swiss banking law provides robust client asset protection through segregation requirements and depositor insurance. Client securities are held in segregated custody accounts separate from the bank's own assets and cannot be used to satisfy creditor claims in insolvency. Cash deposits up to CHF 100,000 per client are protected by the Swiss Depositor Protection scheme. Lombard Odier's AA- credit rating, 32% CET1 capital ratio, and 225-year track record of financial stability provide additional confidence, though no institution can guarantee absolute protection against all risks.
Adam Abdellaoui
Your personal contact
Of Counsel
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