The Gazette
of the Bicentenary banque bonhôte & cie sa www.bonhote.ch/200years
LOUIS-ÉDOUARD PETITMAÎTRE SUCCEEDS HIS FATHER HAVING WORKED ALONGSIDE HIS FATHER FOR MANY YEARS, LOUIS-EDOUARD PETITMAÎTRE (1832-1895) TOOK OVER THE FAMILY TRADING FIRM IN 1872, TRANSFORMING IT INTO A RENOWNED, RESPECTED PRIVATE BANK.
Louis-Edouard Petitmaître was established as a banker by the time he was accepted into the merchants guild in 1858. In 1860, he moved into politics, winning a seat in the
local parliament of the City of Neuchâtel. As a member of this local assembly, he demonstrated an acute awareness of economic issues. In 1865, he was elected to the City Council, as a result of which he became a board member of the local water company (of which he would later become chairman). In 1875, he married Berthe Châtenay, daughter of merchant HenriAuguste Châtenay. This marriage ushered him into a prominent family of merchants... (continued on page 3)
YOUNG ARTISTS COMPETITION To mark its bicentenary, Banque Bonhôte & Cie SA is organising a contemporary art competition for young artists in Switzerland. Candidates have until 30 November to submit their entries to one of the group’s branches. Four artists will be shortlisted, and the Bank will then finance
Edition 2/October 2014
1815-2015
production of each of their works. For the overall winner, the Bank will cover the costs of a 200-day academic placement in a major world city outside Europe. More information and details on how to register for the competition can be found by visiting www.bonhote.ch/art.
EDITORIAL Yves de montmollin CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Dear Clients, Dear Friends, I have the pleasure of introducing the second instalment of the Gazette celebrating our bicentenary. This anniversary is of considerable importance to us all. The staying power and stability of our bank offer a solid foundation for warranting the ongoing trust of our staff and clients. As heirs of the Bonhôte banking tradition, our role today is to shape the present in a responsible manner so that we can pass on a worthy heritage to our progeny. I would like to thank you for the trust and loyalty that you have expressed to us. Yours faithfully,