The Establishment of Banque Piguet in Hong Kong

The Establishment of Banque Piguet in Hong Kong

March 08, 2007

Its First Overseas Presence to Offer the Best Tradition of
Swiss Private Banking in Asia


    HONG KONG, March 8 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Banque Piguet
& Cie S.A. ("Banque Piguet"), today announced
the official inauguration of its first overseas office in
Hong Kong.  Founded in 1856, the bank has established a
reputation for professional client service and an
approachable culture over the past century and a half.  The
grand opening ceremony was officiated by the
guest-of-honour, Mr Frederick Ma, Secretary for Financial
Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region.

    Also presenting at the ceremony were over 200 guests
including Banque Piguet's board members from Switzerland,
Mr Hans Jakob Roth, Consul-General of Switzerland in Hong
Kong, professional and entrepreneurs from across Asia and
Europe, as well as many distinguished members of the
financial community in Hong Kong.  The perfect mix of
guests signified Banque Piguet's determination to expand
its presence overseas and extend the best tradition of
Swiss private banking into Hong Kong and Asia.  

    Banque Piguet aims to offer its asset management and
private banking business in China, taking advantage of the
liberalisation of the banking sector, in particular the
demand for wealth management services, and the introduction
of the QDII Scheme etc.

    Mr Charles de Boissezon, President of the Executive
Board and Chief Executive Officer of Banque Piguet, said,
"Our first overseas office in Hong Kong marks the
bank's firm belief in and commitment to the territory,
which is an ideal place for capturing the growing
opportunities in the region.  The choice of Hong Kong is a
tribute to its dynamism and its well-earned role as Asia's
World City."

    Mr Michael Chan, Chief Representative -- Greater China
Region, added, "The boom in Asia is continuing into
its sixth year.  According to the International Monetary
Fund (IMF), the growth in Asia is promising and expected to
reach 7% in 2007.  Hong Kong is a regional financial hub as
well as the gateway to China.  Banque Piguet is setting up
in Hong Kong to grasp the rise of Asia and target the high
and ultra high net worth individuals and institutional
investors in the region, particularly in Greater
China."

    Banque Piguet specialises in private banking,
institutional asset management and services to independent
portfolio managers.  With an extensive historical database,
Banque Piguet's investment strategy is based on the risk
analysis of global macro-economic trends relative to the
valuations of financial markets, thereby identifying future
value and risk.  

    About Banque Piguet & Cie S.A.

    In 2006, Banque Piguet celebrated its 150th
anniversary.  This Swiss private bank was established in
1856 and over the past century and a half has developed a
reputation for professional client service and an
approachable culture.  In more recent years, however, it
has developed a reputation as a bank with a difference. 
The two main differentiating factors are its ownership
structure and its approach to investments which have
produced consistent results in long-term wealth creation.

    The bank is 80 per cent owned by Banque Cantonale
Vaudoise (BCV), the 5th largest bank in Switzerland by
balance sheet, whose main shareholder is the State of Vaud.
 The remaining 20 per cent is owned by management.  This
unique combination gives Banque Piguet the stability of a
quasi-government shareholder and the leadership commitment
that comes from management ownership.

    The other differentiating factor is its successful
investment approach, which has been achieved by adopting an
investment strategy which is not driven by industry
consensus or benchmarks, but by experience and independence
of mind based on reflection and anticipation rather than
following market trends.

    Banque Piguet specialises in private banking,
institutional asset management and services to independent
portfolio managers.

    For more information, please visit
http://www.banquepiguet.com .

    Issued by Occasions Corporate & Financial
Communications Limited for and on behalf of Banque Piguet
& Cie S.A.  






    For further information, please contact:

     Ms Karen Lee/ Ms Cindy Hui/ Ms Peony Sze
     Occasions Corporate & Financial Communications
Limited
     Tel: ¡@[phone]/ 2185-7025/ 2185-7009		
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