The largest foreign bank in Switzerland will offer the most modern offices in the Swiss financial industry. finews.ch brings the exclusive first pictures.
HSBC Private Bank invested 70 Million francs in the renovation of seven interconnected buildings at Quai des Bergues in Geneva, as finews.ch already reported.
The HSBC offices may include a total area of 10,000 square meters of the most modern of its kind in Switzerland. The relocation for the approximately 650 employees is planned in stages from November this year.
Commitment to Geneva
The move was not a «need», but a «joy», an HSBC spokesman told finews.ch. Employees had previously worked at four different locations.
It is also a policy of the HSBC headquarters in London, not to own any longer office facilities, but only to act as a tenant – due to cost considerations. The combination of all front office people under one roof in Geneva is also a clear commitment to the city and its financial center.
Speculation scattered
Or as Franco Morra (picture), CEO of HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) said: «By focusing much of our Swiss operations in the heart of Geneva, we underline the importance that we attach to this financial center and its highly skilled employees.»
«Geneva is a stronghold for us in Switzerland,» says Morra, who thus clearly dispelled the speculation that the bank could withdrawn from Switzerland or split off from the group.
The back office functions are based in Geneva's Blandonnet area, as has been reported. Overall, HSBC Private Bank employs 1,400 people in Geneva, 300 more employees in Zurich.
