BIL Suisse has appointed Paolo Bortolín as Director of Business Development at its Lugano office, effective January 2026. With this move, the Swiss unit of Banque Internationale à Luxembourg gains a seasoned expert at the intersection of the public sector, the financial marketplace, and digital innovation.

Bortolín previously served as Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the City of Lugano and played a central role — working closely with Mayor Michele Foletti — in the strategic positioning of the Ticino city as a blockchain and crypto hub.

Focus on crypto clients

In this role, he was closely involved in shaping the city’s Blockchain & Crypto Task Force and helped drive initiatives such as the internationally recognized «Plan ₿» as well as the issuance of the world’s first native digital municipal bonds.

At BIL Suisse, Bortolín is expected to apply his experience to further developing the bank’s business with high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs — particularly clients active in the blockchain and digital assets space.

«Extensive experience and strategic vision»

«Paolo’s extensive experience and strategic mindset will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our capabilities in serving high-net-worth individuals and successful entrepreneurs active in the blockchain industry,» Sascha Wullschleger, Head of BIL Suisse Lugano, is quoted as saying in the statement.

The new Director of Business Development brings more than 20 years of experience in banking, corporate finance, and financial management. He studied at the University of Fribourg and the University of California, Berkeley, and previously held senior positions in Swiss banking, including serving as Regional Head of Ticino Retail Banking at a major bank.