Zurich, 4 December 2019 – In 2005, Julius Baer acquired former Bank Cantrade Ltd. (Cantrade) through the acquisition of Bank Ehinger & Armand von Ernst Ltd. from UBS AG.

As previously disclosed, in September 2014 BvS initiated legal proceedings in Zurich against Julius Baer as successor of former Cantrade for an amount of approx. CHF 97 million plus accrued interests since 1994. BvS argues to be the competent German authority to claim alleged unauthorised withdrawals between 1990 and 1992 from a Cantrade account of a foreign trade company established in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).

On 18 April 2018, the Zurich Court of Appeal confirmed the decision by the First Instance Court and ruled again in favour of Julius Baer and dismissed all claims by BvS. On 17 January 2019, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court partially ruled in favour of BvS, rejecting the verdict by the Zurich Court of Appeal, ordering it to reassess the case.

On 3 December 2019, the Zurich Court of Appeal has decided the case anew and now affirmed BvS’ claim in the principal amount of approx. CHF 97 million plus interest since 2009. Julius Baer takes note of such decision and will appeal it to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court again. As such appeal does not have a suspensive effect, Julius Baer has to preventatively book a provision for the full awarded amount of CHF 153 million. Julius Baer has always contested and continues contesting the claims of BvS.

As previously disclosed, the claims of the BvS were notified to UBS AG under the terms of the 2005 transaction agreement with regard to representations and warranties granted in respect of the acquired entities and Julius Baer will claim for reimbursement of any finally awarded amount.