J. Safra Sarasin

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Bank J. Safra Sarasin Ltd

Industry	Private Banking
Founded	1841
Headquarters	Basel, Switzerland
Number of employees	2200 (FTE)
Website	http://www.jsafrasarasin.ch/

J. Safra Sarasin Group – Sustainable Swiss Private Banking since 1841[]

As an international group committed to sustainability, J. Safra Sarasin is well established through its banks in more than 25 locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean. A global symbol of private banking and wealth management tradition, the group emphasises security and well-managed conservative growth for its clients. At the end of December 2020, the company employed about 2,200 employees.

History of J. Safra Sarasin Group[]

The origins of the Safra family and the Sarasin family are very similar. Each is characterized by a successful banking history that dates back to the mid nineteenth century. During the 19th century, the impact of the Industrial Revolution transformed the economies of Europe, the Mediterranean and North America. Major inventions such as the steam engine and use of electricity led to massive infrastructure change, including the building of railroads and steamships, resulting in the growth of vibrant international trade. Bankers were the main source of financing for this dynamic trade of industrial and agricultural products and raw materials.

Two dynasties of private banks – one successful story[]

The Safra and the Sarasin families have much in common: both thrived in this dynamic environment, although they developed in two different parts of the world. The Safra family banking heritage began in Aleppo, Syria. Aleppo was one of the major centers of trade, a mandatory route from the East to Europe, and from the latter to Persia and inner Asia. The Safra family financed trade and exchanged currencies for tradesmen, who came to the city through the desert, in camel caravans, or through the Mediterranean, in caravels. The Sarasin family has its roots in Basel, Switzerland. Basel, situated on the Rhine River, has been at a trading crossroads since centuries. The founders of Bank Sarasin were initially involved in trading and freight forwarding, and soon banking was added as a key activity.

Since the beginning of time: present in the main growth markets[]

Both families realized that, with increasing globalization, geographical expansion was vital to develop their imperium. Safra expanded initially throughout the Middle East, then to Switzerland, and further to Latin America and the United States. Sarasin first built its network in Switzerland, followed by a rapidly increasing presence throughout Europe and later to Asia and the Middle East. These rather complementary expansion patterns have resulted in a true global presence of the J. Safra Sarasin Group.

Sustainability – strong commitment to the future[]

Nowadays the J. Safra Sarasin Group combines the traditions of both founders’ families in terms of a prudent and conservative approach to risk. The Bank's clear commitment to sustainability, is a logical consequence of its historical roots and the engagement of its founding fathers, as well as the result of its successful track record of over 30 years in sustainable investment and asset management. The statement "Sustainable Swiss Private Banking since 1841" underlines the strong commitment to sustainability and the Bank's Swiss roots.

"If you choose to sail upon the seas of banking, build your bank as you would your boat, with the strength to sail safely through any storm". Jacob Safra (1891 - 1963)

J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management[]

J. Safra Sarasin Group's asset management activities are grouped under the brand name J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management. In 2019, J. Safra Sarasin celebrated 30 years of sustainable investing. As a global asset manager and a pioneer in this field, sustainability is in the DNA of J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management. Being family-owned, J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management’s approach is characterized by putting the interests of investors first, and forging long-term relationships with clients. As such, its mission is to enable clients to achieve their financial and sustainability goals by providing superior investment solutions, through an extensive range of actively managed funds and mandates. J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management remains firmly committed to being a leader in sustainable investing. In 2020, J. Safra Sarasin Sustainable Asset Management launched a climate pledge, aiming for a carbon-neutral outcome by 2035. As part of Bank J. Safra Sarasin, it recently became the first Swiss institution to join the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge. It is also a founding signatory of both the Principles of Responsible Banking and the Principles of Responsible Investing.

References[]

https://www.jsafrasarasin.ch/internet/ch/en/ch_index/ch_sustainability/ch_sustainable_investment/ch_awards_and_labels.htm https://www.jsafrasarasin.com https://www.jsafrasarasin.com/internet/com/com_index/com_about_us.htm https://www.jsafrasarasin.com/internet/com/com_index/com_about_us/com_corporate_identity.htm https://www.jsafrasarasin.com/internet/com/com_index/com_about_us/com_history/com_j_safra_sarasin_group.htm