The Banque Cantonale de Genève (BCGE) is restructuring its front-office operations, transitioning from a regional focus to a customer segment-based approach in its business divisions. This reorganization also includes changes in leadership positions. According to the announcement made on Wednesday, these changes, which will take effect on September 1st, aim to simplify the bank's business model, enhance its ability to meet the specific needs of its customers, and improve the overall customer experience.

The most significant change for the bank is likely the renaming of the 'Geneva' division to 'Retail Banking & Digital Banking.' In addition to managing the branch network in the canton, this division will also oversee personal financing in Switzerland, France, and other international markets. As the name suggests, this new division will also be responsible for further developing BCGE's digital offerings. Pierrette Jaton Klopfenstein, who has been with the bank since 2003, has been appointed as the head of this division.

New Division: «Private Banking & Asset Management»

The «Corporate Banking & Trade Finance» division is being expanded to serve corporate clients in Switzerland and France, as well as multinational companies and «partners in the real estate and construction sectors». Additionally, this division will manage relationships with public institutions and cover commodity trading activities. Subsidiaries like Capital Transmission, Dimension, and BCGE France would also fall under this division. Yves Spörri, a long-standing member of the bank since 2001, will lead this division.

A new division, «Private Banking & Asset Management» has been established, which will encompass all wealth management activities. BCGE has indicated that it plans to completely rethink its offerings for institutional and private clients in this area. This new division will also oversee the bank’s branches in Lausanne, Zurich, and Basel, as well as its offices in Hong Kong and Dubai. Additionally, it will serve as a point of contact for independent asset managers.

Katia Coudray as Division Head

BCGE has recruited externally for the leadership of this new division, appointing Katia Coudray, who will also become a member of the BCGE Group Executive Committee. Coudray is a well-known figure in the french speaking part of the Swiss banking scene, having held various senior positions at EFG, Edouard Constant, Pictet, Union Bancaire Privée, and Syz. She also gained visibility at finews.ch through her involvement with Asteria Investment Managers, a firm specializing in sustainability funds. Asteria was originally a subsidiary of Reyl before being sold to Man Group in 2023.

Following the dissolution of the Asset Management and Corporate divisions, Urs Ziegler will take on the role of Senior Advisor, reporting directly to the CEO, with a focus of advancing the bank’s ESG initiatives. Virginie Fauveau, who previously led the corporate client segment, will be leaving BCGE after 16 years to pursue new career opportunities.