Swiss finance magazine «Bilanz» presents each year a list of the richest Swiss, respectively of the richest people living in Switzerland. Our readers care most about the richest bankers – not all of whom are that well known.

The following is a list of the ten richest families, who generate a sizeable proportion of their incomes through banking.

  1. Pictet: 5–6 Billion Francs

The richest family in Swiss banking remains the Pictet family, with assets worth about 6 billion francs according to the list compiled by «Bilanz». The family's bank had asset under management of 420 billion in mid-2015 and employs 3,800 people.

  1. Hinduja: 4–4.5 Billion Francs

The Hindujas are the richest foreign family living in Switzerland and active in banking. The family business group has 72,000 employees worldwide and is directed by Srichand Hinduja (80). Most members of the family live in Switzerland and the Hinduja Bank has its headquarters in Geneva.

  1. Latsis: 3–3.5 Billion Francs

Spiro Latsis and his sisters Marianna and Margarita inherited the family assets from John Spyridon Latsis. They hold 54.8% of EFG International, 42.6% of Hellenic Petroleum and 50.9% of Lamda Development, a Greek real estate company.

  1. de Picciotto: 2–2.5 Billion Francs

Edgar de Picciotto, 86, in 1969 founded Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), today directed by Guy de Picciotto, his son. Guys siblings Daniel and Anne are members of the board.

  1. Lombard Odier: 2.5–3 Billion Francs

Lombard Odier, the Geneva-based private bank, expanded to include asset management, the wealth management for institutional investors and the provision of a technology platform for third-party banks. Lombard Odier has been extremely successful with this business model.

  1. Benjamin de Rothschild: 2–2.5 Billion Francs

The Rothschild's from Geneva holds 81.5 percent of Banque Privée Edmond de Rothschild through the Edmond de Rothschild Holding. Baroness Nadine de Rothschild, 83, owns 17 percent of the holding company, Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, 52, controls two thirds and 8.4 percent belong to further members of the family living in Paris.

  1. Vontobel: 1.5–2 Billion Francs

Hans Vontobel, honorary chairman of Vontobel private bank, turns 99 in December and is one of the oldest representatives of Swiss banking. He controls the family's pool of shares, which in turn holds 67 percent of the voting rights.

  1. Lily Safra: 1–1.5 Billion Francs

The widow of Edmond Safra today is mainly active through charitable work. The banker died in a fire in his bathroom in Monaco in 1999, a death that remains circumspect to this day.

  1. Cornaro: 700–800 Million Francs

Cornaro is the family behind the Cornèr Bank, which operates a lucrative credit-card-license business. The bank also expanded in online banking and invested in the digital transformation of financial services.

  1. Sarasin: 700–800 Million Francs

The Basel-based bankers once controlled private bank Sarasin. The sale of the bank to the Brazil-based financial holding of the Safra family boosted the Sarasin's wealth further. 

Further entries:

11. Mirabaud: 400–450 Million Francs

Geneva-based private bank.

12. Eric Syz: 400–450 Million Francs

Swiss banking group with focus on asset management.

13. Baer: 350–400 Million Francs

International banking group with emphasis on private banking.

14. Frank P. Bodmer: 300–350 Million Francs

Zurich-based private bank.

15. Christian Stucki: 300–350 Million Francs

Notz Stucki Asset Managers.

16. Syz-Abegg: 300–350 Million Francs

Zurich-based private bank Maerki Baumann.

17. Bordier: 250–300 Million Francs

Geneva-based private bank.

18. Thomas Matter: 150–200 Million Francs

Neue Helvetische Bank.

19. Karl und Christoph Reichmuth: 100-150 Million Francs

Lucerne-based private bank.