The Banque Internationale à Luxembourg in Switzerland (BIL Suisse) is accelerating its expansion in the Romandy region with several strategic initiatives, according to a company announcement on Tuesday. At the heart of this growth strategy, the bank has appointed Lionel Pilloud as the new head of its Geneva branch, effective September 2024.

Pilloud is a banking professional with over 30 years of experience. For nearly six years, he held various leadership roles at Credit Suisse (CS) in Romandy and Ticino. Before that, he spent almost twenty years at the Zurich-based investment firm Vontobel, where he was responsible for the Francophone market and the Middle East, operating from Geneva.

Planned Relocation

«BIL’s goal is to strengthen its presence and service offerings for both private and select corporate clients», said Hans-Peter Borgh, CEO of BIL Suisse, in an interview with finews.ch.

Planned initiatives include growth strategies focusing on selected target markets, further personnel expansion, and preparing for a move to new premises at Place de Hollande in the heart of Geneva’s banking district in fall 2025.

Key Elements of the BIL Plan

• Business Focus: BIL Suisse aims to expand its operations in Geneva. Thanks to the combination of  Wealth Management and Global Advisory offering, the focus will be on entrepreneurial clients from the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Europe, the Middle East, External Asset Managers, Family Offices, and Multi Family Offices.
• Staff Expansion: The bank plans to expand its team with experienced professionals, especially Relationship Managers who share the bank's vision and commitment to providing exceptional service to clients.
• New Premises: Towards the end of 2025, BIL’s Geneva teams will relocate to new offices in the city center, which will serve as a hub for enhanced both operations and client interactions.

Founded in 1856, BIL is the oldest multi-business bank in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Today, the group operates in retail, private, and corporate banking, as well as in financial markets. BIL counts more than 2,000 employees and is present in Luxembourg, Switzerland, and China. Since 2017, the bank has been owned by China's Legend Holdings, with the Luxembourg government retaining a 10 percent stake.

Strong Financial Backing

BIL's solid financial position provides a foundation of stability and confidence for its Swiss operations, which benefit from the balance sheet of its Luxembourg parent company. «The bank's capabilities, combined with its boutique size in Switzerland, allow us to offer personalized services. This combination sets us apart from other banking institutions that may not have the resources and expertise.» said Borgh.