The Gazette
of the Bicentenary BANQUE BONHÔTE & CIE SA www.bonhote.ch/200years
Edition 5/September 2015
1815-2015
The Bern branch, housed in the Hôtel de Musique on the central Place du Théâtre.
BANQUE BONHÔTE & CIE SA REPURCHASED IN 1992 DESCENDED FROM A FAMILY OF BANKERS DATING BACK TO THE LATE 18TH CENTURY, JEAN BERTHOUD CLOSELY FOLLOWED THE PROGRESS OF BANQUE BONHÔTE.
He opened an account while studying at the University of Neuchâtel, meeting Claude Bonhôte in the process and proposing to succeed him when the time came. In response, Claude Bonhôte pleasantly quipped that their almost 60-year age difference was
rather large. In the winter of 1984, news reached Jean Berthoud that Claude Bonhôte intended to sell the bank. That same day, despite recently embarking on an MBA degree at New York’s Columbia University, he flew back to Switzerland to persuade Claude to keep his bank – the canton’s last private establishment – in the hands of Neuchâtel natives. A few years later, Claude Bonhôte, true to his word, sold the bank to Câbles de Cortaillod, a cable manufacturer from Neuchâtel.... (continued on page 3)
BICENTENARY VIDEO In addition to the commemorative book of the Bank’s bicentenary (available in French at www.bonhote.ch/livre200e), a brief video has been produced which traces Bonhôte’s growth from its inception in 1815 to the present day.
We would like to thank the Bonhôte family, the Bank’s historian (Patrice Allanfranchini) as well as past and current employees for sharing their experiences.
EDITORIAL ROBIN RICHARD CHIEF CLIENT OFFICER
Small is beautiful! Throughout our two-hundred-year history, we have remained true to the human element of our business. This has helped us remain flexible and responsive to the demands of the financial services industry while maintaining our creative momentum. We strive to encourage a work environment that promotes quality of life, and we value our teams’ skill and dedication. Indeed, these are the ingredients to our success. To express the idea in musical terms, we must harmonise with those around us in order to create a pleasing melody. An ongoing challenge, to be sure, but extraordinarily inspiring! Advising our customers, assisting them in their projects, sharing their concerns, taking the time to listen – this is what motivates us. The world may be run by algorithms analysing our every move, but you, our clients, can rest assured that we are driven by principles beyond the merely mathematical, seeking true dialogue and understanding. Our desire is for you to feel at home with us.