Zurich/Geneva, 3 November 2015 – Julius Baer Group Ltd. (‘Julius Baer’), the leading Swiss private banking group, has announced today that it has acquired Fransad Gestion SA (‘Fransad’), an independent Swiss wealth manager, for an undisclosed amount. Fransad, which started its activities in 2010, is based in Geneva, employs 19 people and manages assets of CHF 1.3 billion. In the past years, the company’s profitable business has enjoyed healthy growth. 

In a first phase, Fransad will continue to operate under the existing brand. The founders will remain on the Board and continue to provide their support to the company and its management. The management team will also remain in place and lead the company with the same client-focused strategy post transaction. Julius Baer will be represented on the Board of Fransad by Giovanni M.S. Flury, designated Member of the Executive Board of Julius Baer Group.

Fransad will complement Julius Baer’s existing independent wealth management business WMPartners Wealth Management Ltd. (‘WMPartners’), based in Zurich, together leveraging each other’s key strengths and leading expertise across these two locations. The potential benefits of closer integration will be assessed at a later stage. The transaction will strengthen Julius Baer’s position in the independent wealth management market in Switzerland and expand its geographic footprint in French-speaking Switzerland.