CBH Marks 50 Years – A New Chapter Beyond Swiss Private Banking
To mark its 50th anniversary, Geneva’s CBH Compagnie Bancaire Helvétique – also present in Hong Kong – steps beyond balance sheets and capital ratios. The private bank, one of Switzerland’s best-capitalized institutions, is celebrating with an ambitious exhibition in Geneva that fuses financial strength with cultural vision – and reveals a side of banking few ever see.
Founded in 1975, CBH has become a firmly established name in Swiss private banking. The family-owned institution today employs around 330 people across 10 international locations and manages client assets worth 16.3 billion Swiss francs ($20.1 billion).
With a Tier 1 ratio of 39.8 percent, CBH ranks among the best-capitalized banks in Switzerland – a powerful testament to its stability, foresight, and independence.
Simon Benhamou, CEO of CBH (Image: CBH)
«Our roots lie in the tradition of Swiss private banking, but our outlook is global. We want to create substance – both economically and culturally,» said CEO Simon Benhamou at the recent opening of the exhibition in Geneva.
Art as a Bridge Across Continents
For its anniversary, CBH is focusing on a theme that transcends numbers: art. At the Musée Rath – one of Switzerland’s most historic exhibition venues – the bank is presenting a selection of its African art collection under the title «Au-delà des Apparences» until 23 November 2025.
The exhibition brings together more than 80 artists from 21 African countries, spanning nearly a century of creativity – from early modernist pioneers such as Albert and Antoinette Lubaki to internationally acclaimed figures like El Anatsui, Yinka Shonibare, and Amoako Boafo.
Journey Through Africa’s History and Present
A selection of African art (Image: CBH)
Structured around thematic chapters – from «Spirituality» and «Intimacy» to «Affirmation» – the exhibition explores narratives of transformation, identity, and cultural self-assertion.
Works such as El Hadji Sy’s monumental painting Lat Dior and JP Mika’s vibrant Prétendant Sapeur reflect a boundless expressive drive and artistic energy that transcends borders.
«Artists across Africa meet, influence, and inspire one another far beyond administrative lines – that dynamic was what we wanted to highlight,» said curators Jean-Yves Marin and Ousseynou Wade.
Dialogue of Space and Color
The exhibition’s design is by French architect and designer Pierre Yovanovitch, who transformed the neoclassical Musée Rath into a contemporary stage. Soft curves and bold color accents give the artworks room to breathe.
«The challenge was to step back before the power of the works and create an environment that supports them without overpowering them,» he said.
The result is a visually and emotionally immersive experience that draws visitors into the vibrant, creative present of the African continent.
Africa Beyond Clichés
A selection of African art (Image: CBH)
CBH has been active in the cultural sphere for more than 15 years, focusing on three areas: Swiss modernism, digital and algorithmic art, and modern and contemporary African art.
«This exhibition is the result of years of passion and, at the same time, an invitation to discover the diversity of African art – spontaneous, surprising, and untamed,» emphasized CEO Benhamou. «It shows an Africa that is alive and reinventing itself – beyond clichés and full of promise.»
Jubilee Beyond Banking
CBH’s 50th anniversary underscores not only its financial solidity but also its cultural ambition.
By combining wealth management with art patronage, the bank positions itself as part of a new generation of financial institutions – one that views social and cultural responsibility as an integral part of its identity.
