Our vision
We support our clients over the long term, helping them to realise their most ambitious projects and offering them new perspectives. Together, we contribute actively to the prosperity of the Swiss economy.
Our Essence
Swiss heritage, entrepreneurial vision, commitment to growth.
Opening up new Perspectives. Together.
CIC (Switzerland) is dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, ambitious businesses, and discerning private clients to unlock new perspectives and sustainable growth opportunities. Deeply rooted in Switzerland, our tradition of excellence, precision, and reliability sets the standard for everything we do - yet our vision reaches far beyond tradition. Driven by a distinctly entrepreneurial mindset, we actively partner with those who build, innovate, and shape the Swiss economy.
Our mission
We meet the needs of large and mid-sized companies, entrepreneurs and wealthy private clients in a holistic manner. We act as genuine partners, suggesting appropriate and innovative solutions for every situation.
Our value proposition
We are proud to anticipate the needs of our clients and assist them with concrete, agile suggestions; we combine rapid decision making, flexible processes and excellent service.
Collective. Effective. Supportive.
Our three core values guide our activities, our cooperation and our image. They form the basis on which our corporate culture stands, inspiring every decision and guiding our daily choices. These values reflect our ambition, our commitment to our clients and our contribution to society. They connect us, make us distinctive and express our identity, our vision of responsible growth and our desire to work sustainably with our clients and employees towards a prosperous and enduring future.
154 Years of Swiss Banking Excellence
Founded as Banque d'Alsace et de Lorraine (BAL) in 1871 by visionary entrepreneurs from Basel, our bank has evolved from a pioneering regional lender into a cornerstone of Swiss banking. Over the decades, we have expanded our presence, innovated our offerings, and strengthened our ties to the Crédit Mutuel Group - all while staying true to our entrepreneurial spirit. This legacy of consistent growth and adaptation empowers us to serve ambitious individuals and businesses throughout Switzerland, driving sustainable success and shaping a thriving Swiss economy.
1871
Banque d’Alsace et de Lorraine (BAL) established in Strasbourg by entrepreneurs from Basel and Alsace
1909
BAL opens its doors in Basel for the first time
Gewerbebank Basel AG/Banque Industrielle Bâle acquired
1931
Merger with Société Alsacienne de Crédit Industriel et Commercial; name changed to Crédit Industriel d’Alsace et de Lorraine (CIAL)
1977
CIAL opens a branch in Zurich
1997
Merger with Banque de l’Union Européenne en Suisse SA
Branches opened in Geneva and Lugano
2008
Asset manager ICM Finance SA acquired; name changed to Banque CIC (Suisse) SA
Branch opened in Fribourg
2024
Capital increased to CHF 300 million millions
1872
BAL shares listed on the Basel stock exchange
1917
BAL opens a branch in Geneva
1971
CAL opens a branch in Lausanne
1984
The three branches in Basel, Lausanne and Zurich become a Swiss joint-stock company: Banque CIAL (Suisse) SA
2007
Branch opened in Neuchâtel
2011
Branch opened in Sion
Our brand signature
“Open up new perspectives. Together." reflects our corporate vision. It expresses our philosophy and sets out our ambition and collective commitment.
As a preferred financial partner we team up with our clients, making available to them the whole of our internal and external network. The diversity of skills and wealth viewpoints this opens up allows us to design solutions that exceed our clients’ needs and expectations. We are not satisfied with the first solution identified, we aim to go beyond appearances and pay attention to nuance and detail. Taking a fresh look at a situation is a way of revealing new dimensions and uncovering unexpected opportunities.
“Open up new perspectives. Together." reflects this state of mind; by looking deeper, thinking differently and working together we transform the familiar into something new and full of potential. It lets us open up the range of possibilities for our clients. We support them with a long-term vision, offering sustainable solutions to meet their ambitions and help them realise their projects.
The beech tree as symbol of our essence
Just as a beech tree adapts and grows in an environment that is constantly changing, so we guarantee our clients stability and innovation for the long term. This tree is a symbol of sustainability and transmission. It has shaped generations by virtue of being used by craftsmen, builders and engineers. It stands for the values which matter to us.
The three-leafed sprig symbolises the fundamental identity of our bank and the triad of our core values: “Collective. Effective. Supportive. ” Like a branch or a sprig, our bank is both deeply rooted in its values and perpetually growing and evolving, balancing continuity with adaptability.