Julius Baer upgrades its activities in Hong Kong by opening a branch of Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd.

Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd., the 120 year old Swiss bank, is decisively growing Asia into its second home market. In the four years since Julius Baer established its office in Hong Kong, it assembled a large, skilled team of advisors and other professionals providing comprehensive investment advisory services under securities and advisory licences. However, the benefits and added reassurance of being able to offer a full service to clients who prefer to retain their assets in Hong Kong was always recognised and branch status has always been the long-term plan for Julius Baer.

Andrea Benenati, CEO of Julius Baer in North Asia, commented, “We are delighted to have gained full branch status in Hong Kong. It is a significant milestone in our growth strategy in Asia and will have a considerable impact on the development of our business here.” He continued, “Not only will a branch licence attract more clients to Julius Baer, but it will also allow us to further expand our product offerings in what is clearly a very exciting and sought-after market. We feel confident we can offer clients the best investment solutions and advice”.

Dr Thomas R. Meier, CEO Asia and the Middle East of Julius Baer concludes, “Julius Baer’s commitment to Hong Kong is steadfast and our investments in the region will continue. Julius Baer now employs about 400 people in Asia. Julius Baer plans to open a representative office in Shanghai and a Trust Company in Singapore, upon application and regulatory approvals”.

Julius Baer was recently named the institution with the “Best Private Bank in Switzerland” and “Best Private Bank Strategy for Growth” by the Financial Times publication Private Wealth Management. In Asia, Julius Baer is this year’s winner of the “Best Boutique Private Bank” category by The Asset Magazine. It has also been awarded “Best Private Bank 2009” by Finance Asia and “Best Boutique Private Bank Asia-Pacific” by Asiamoney for two consecutive years (2008, 2009), affirming its leading position in the wealth management industry.