Banking & Assets

Banking relationships and account opening

Opening a bank account is an essential step in establishing a trust. As a professional trustee based in Geneva, Swiss Trustee maintains established relationships with the leading Swiss and international banks present in the Geneva financial centre. This proximity considerably facilitates the account opening process and the day-to-day management of banking relationships.

The trust's bank account is opened in the name of the trust, with the trustee as authorised signatory. The procedure involves providing comprehensive documentation to the bank's compliance department: a copy of the trust deed, identification of all parties (settlor, beneficiaries, protector, beneficial owners), evidence of the source of funds and documentation relating to the investment policy.

Selection of custodian banks

The choice of custodian bank is a strategic decision that depends on several factors:

• Asset type: Certain banks specialise in the custody of securities, others in real estate, private equity or alternative assets.
• Jurisdictions: The bank's international presence is important if the trust holds assets in multiple countries.
• Estate size: Entry thresholds and fee structures vary significantly from one bank to another.
• Trust expertise: Not all banks have the same experience in managing trust accounts. We favour institutions with dedicated teams.
• Financial strength: The bank's rating and capitalisation are important criteria for the security of assets.

Our thorough knowledge of the Swiss and international banking landscape enables us to recommend the most suitable institutions for each situation, taking into account the specific features of the trust and the settlor's preferences.

Custody and asset types

A trust can hold a wide variety of assets. Our team coordinates the custody and administration of all trust assets:

• Bank accounts and deposits: Current accounts, term deposits and multi-currency accounts at Swiss and international banks.
• Securities portfolios: Equities, bonds, investment funds, ETFs and structured products held in custody at custodian banks.
• Real estate: Property held directly or through holding companies, in Switzerland or abroad.
• Shareholdings: Interests in operating companies or family holding companies, private equity and venture capital.
• Alternative assets: Works of art, jewellery, precious metals, collections and prestige vehicles, held in vaults or specialist facilities.
• Life insurance: Life insurance policies taken out for the benefit of the trust or transferred to the trust.

Investment oversight

The trustee has a fiduciary obligation to ensure that trust assets are invested prudently and in accordance with the trust deed. Swiss Trustee defines, in consultation with the settlor and the family's advisers, an Investment Policy Statement that governs the asset management strategy: target allocation, risk limits, ethical or sectoral constraints and return objectives.

We select and appoint independent wealth managers for the operational management of the portfolio, and conduct regular monitoring of their performance and compliance with the investment policy. Periodic reviews are held with the managers to evaluate the strategy and make any necessary adjustments.