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Adam Abdellaoui
Of Counsel
Pictet - How to Open an Account
Date of last update: 12 January 2026
Pictet Group stands as one of Switzerland's leading independent private banks, founded in 1805 in Geneva. With over two centuries of continuous operation under partnership ownership, the institution manages approximately USD 926 billion (CHF 737 billion) in assets as of September 30, 2025, across wealth management, asset management, and specialized financial services.
The bank operates 31 offices worldwide, serving high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and family offices through a model that prioritizes long-term client relationships over short-term profit maximization.
The bank operates 31 offices worldwide, serving high-net-worth individuals, institutional investors, and family offices through a model that prioritizes long-term client relationships over short-term profit maximization.
+41 (44) 5152530
Pictet Bank (The Pictet Group)
Founded
1805
Geneva, Switzerland
Assets Under Management
USD 926bn
CHF 737bn (Sep 2025)
Credit Ratings
AA- / Aa2
Fitch / Moody's
Structure
Partnership
Unlimited liability (SCA)
Financial Solidity & Performance
Key results reported for end-of-year 2024
Consolidated Profit
CHF 665.4m
↑ +15% Year-over-Year
Liquidity Coverage
212%
Well above 100% min.
Capital Ratio
24.5%
Well above 12% min.
Opening an Account
Entry: ~CHF 2 Million
1
Initial Consultation
Discussion of objectives and eligibility via website or introduction.
2
Documentation (KYC/AML)
Submission of identity, address, tax residency, and source of wealth records.
3
Strategy Definition
Selection of discretionary or advisory mandates.
4
Contract Finalization
Signing agreements and establishing custody arrangements.
Typical timeline: 2–4 weeks from complete documentation submission.
Expert Assessment
Advantages
- ✓ Partnership structure with unlimited liability ensures stability.
- ✓ Focus on long-term client relationships vs. short-term profit.
- ✓ Strong financial metrics (AA- rating, 212% liquidity ratio).
Disadvantages & Risks
- ✗ High entry threshold (typically CHF 2m minimum).
- ✗ No retail banking services (loans/cards) for consumers.
- ✗ Past compliance issues (2023 US DOJ settlement) resolved.
Core Service Divisions
Wealth Management
Expertise: High-Net-Worth Individuals
Personalized planning, discretionary mandates, estate preservation, and philanthropy.
CHF 277bn AUM
Asset Management
Expertise: Institutional Investors
Thematic equities, fixed income, and alternative strategies for pension and sovereign funds.
CHF 291bn AUM
Asset Services
Expertise: Fund Administration
Global custody, fund administration, trading execution, and white-label infrastructure.
Infrastructural Focus
Maria Werner
Of Counsel – specialized in corporate law and tax law
info@goldblum.ch
+41 (44) 5152530
Global Presence
31 offices serving clients across time zones
Switzerland
- Geneva (HQ since 1805)
- Zurich
- Basel
- Lausanne
Europe
- Frankfurt (EU HQ)
- London
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- Paris, Milan, Madrid
International
- Singapore (Asia HQ)
- Hong Kong
- Tokyo
- Dubai & Tel Aviv
- New York & Montreal
Key Questions Overview
What is the minimum deposit?
While not official, industry practice indicates a threshold of CHF 2 million for comprehensive wealth management.
Is Pictet listed on the stock market?
No. Pictet is a private partnership (SCA). Managing partners have unlimited liability.
Does Pictet offer retail banking?
No. The bank does not offer commercial loans, mortgages, or payment cards to retail clients.
Frequently asked questions
Pictet does not publish official minimum thresholds, as requirements are discussed individually based on service scope and client profile. Industry sources and professional intermediaries indicate typical minimums starting from CHF 2 million for comprehensive wealth management services. Requirements may be higher for clients seeking specialized services (family office, alternative investments) or lower for clients introduced through existing relationships or professional networks.
Yes. Pictet operates as a partnership with unlimited liability, where managing partners bear personal responsibility for the bank's obligations. Since January 1, 2014, the legal structure has been Pictet & Cie Group SCA (*société en commandite par actions*), a corporate partnership limited by shares. This structure preserves the partnership model while providing a holding framework for global operations. There are no external shareholders, and the bank is not listed on any stock exchange.
As a Swiss bank, Pictet participates in esisuisse, Switzerland's deposit insurance system. Under this framework, deposits up to **CHF 100,000** per client per bank receive privileged treatment (second priority) in bankruptcy proceedings and are covered by the insurance fund. For amounts exceeding this threshold, protection depends on the bank's financial strength and asset quality. Pictet's AA-/Aa2 credit ratings, 212% liquidity coverage ratio, and 24.5% total capital ratio provide additional security beyond statutory deposit insurance. For broader context, see our overview of the Swiss Banking System.
Pictet operates 31 offices across 16 countries as of mid-2025. Locations include: Europe (Geneva, Zurich, Basel, Lausanne, London, Paris, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Turin, Verona, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Luxembourg, Brussels, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Monaco), Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, Osaka), Middle East (Dubai, Tel Aviv), and Americas (New York, Montreal, Nassau). Each office provides localized expertise while accessing Pictet's global investment platform and research capabilities.
Pictet employs multilingual staff across its global offices, providing services in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and various other languages depending on the location. This linguistic diversity enables the bank to serve international clients from diverse jurisdictions effectively.
Pictet integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria across its investment strategies. The bank offers thematic funds targeting specific sustainability outcomes such as clean energy transition, water resource management, and nutrition security. Pictet's approach combines fundamental research with sustainability analysis, focusing on companies positioned to benefit from long-term structural trends while generating measurable positive impact.
Account activation typically takes 2–4 weeks from the submission of complete documentation, subject to compliance review completion. The timeline may vary depending on the complexity of the client's structure, the jurisdictions involved, and the completeness of initial documentation. Clients introduced through existing relationships or professional networks may experience faster processing.
No. Pictet does not engage in retail banking activities such as consumer lending, mortgages, or payment card issuance. The bank focuses exclusively on wealth management, asset management, and asset services for high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional investors. This specialization allows Pictet to maintain its independence and avoid conflicts of interest inherent in universal banking models.
Pictet operates under a partnership structure with unlimited liability, where managing partners bear personal responsibility for the bank's obligations. This model aligns partners' interests with client capital preservation and long-term stability. The partnership has been transmitted across nine generations, with only 47 individuals serving as managing partners over 220 years. Average partner tenure exceeds 21 years, ensuring continuity of values and decision-making frameworks.
Pictet distinguishes itself through its partnership structure (unlimited partner liability), independence (no external shareholders), and scale (CHF 737 billion in assets under management/custody). Unlike publicly traded banks, Pictet's decision-making prioritizes long-term client relationships over quarterly earnings. The bank's focus on wealth management, asset management, and asset services—without investment banking or commercial lending—reduces conflicts of interest and allows for specialized expertise in these areas.
Adam Abdellaoui
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Of Counsel
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