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For 185 years, the J. Safra Group has embodied deep financial strength and a steadfast long-term vision, rooted in the legacy of the Safra family, one of the world’s leading banking families, serving clients globally with unwavering excellence.
For Jacob J. Safra, Chairman of J. Safra Group, it is the Group’s absolute dedication to long-term stewardship that defines the Group and has enabled it to navigate centuries of challenges while preserving client wealth.
“Our clients understand the value of this heritage. We have the privilege of banking with clients across multiple generations, which is a testament to the strength of relationships that we have cultivated and nurtured.”
The J. Safra Sarasin Group is the fourth largest private banking group in Switzerland by Tier 1 capital, and operates in more than 30 locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. Its financial strength is reflected by a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of 34.9% – more than twice the regulatory requirement. Standard & Poor’s rates the J. Safra Sarasin Group as “A” for long-term and “A-1” for short-term counterparty credit.
The J. Safra Group’s banking interests are present in more than 200 locations globally through its three sub-groups: J. Safra Sarasin, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; Banco Safra, headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Safra National Bank of New York, headquartered in New York City, USA. These sub-groups are all independent from one another from a consolidated supervision standpoint. After the closing of the recently announced acquisition of Saxo Bank, the J. Safra Group will reach total assets under management of over USD 500 billion.
Asia at the heart of its strategy
Bank J. Safra Sarasin has been present in Asia since 1995, achieving consistent growth through its presence in Singapore and Hong Kong as an increasing number of clients choose the Bank as their preferred wealth manager.
In recent years, Bank J. Safra Sarasin has further strengthened its strategic commitment to grow its private banking platform in Asia through careful and selective recruitment. Over the past 12 months, the number of relationship managers has grown substantially, with the majority of new joiners being seasoned professionals with more than 15 years of experience.
“Asia is the engine of wealth creation globally and the home of the most exciting growth opportunities today,” says Andy Chai, Asia CEO of Bank J. Safra Sarasin. “We will continue to grow and invest in the region by leveraging our unique strengths and heritage to build long-lasting and sustainable relationships through an uncompromising focus on our clients.”
By placing Asia at the heart of the Group’s strategy, Bank J. Safra Sarasin is ideally positioned to serve the increasingly sophisticated needs of a growing client base in the region.
According to BCG, net wealth in Asia Pacific reached USD 140 trillion in 2024, exceeding that of Western Europe, and is projected to grow to USD 191 trillion in 2029. Indeed, the region is expected to lead the world in financial wealth creation over the five years to 2029 with a growth rate of 9%.1
Family wealth in Asia Pacific is also at an inflection point. The intergenerational transfer of assets that will take place until 2030 among ultra-high net-worth and high net-worth families in Asia is estimated to be USD 5.8 trillion, according to McKinsey.2
“As a family-owned business, we offer a unique perspective to our clients and take care of our clients’ wealth as we do our own,” says Daniel Belfer, CEO of Bank J. Safra Sarasin. “We are dedicated to ensuring security and stability for their wealth, and to providing an appropriate mix of investments in line with their risk appetite, always reflecting our natural prudence as bankers with a heritage of 185 years. We think, invest and manage assets from a shared perspective with our clients.”
These diversified opportunities also include private equity and commercial property investments that are fully aligned with the interest of the Group and our clients. The Group is world-renowned for its real estate investments, including New York’s 660 Madison Avenue complex and London’s iconic Gherkin, demonstrating long investment horizons and the ability to commit considerable capital discreetly. The Group is also the 50% co-owner of Chiquita, a world leading producer and distributor of bananas and other fresh produce globally.
Today, Bank J. Safra Sarasin adheres to the same values and strengths that have ensured its longevity and performance across generations: stable family ownership, exceptional financial strength, conservative risk management, and deep personal client relationships.
“With integrity and the Group’s deep commitment to doing right by our clients as our guiding principles, we look forward to the next 185 years of careful stewardship of our clients’ wealth,” says Daniel Belfer.
For Bank J. Safra Sarasin, careful stewardship means sustainability. In 1989, the Bank introduced the first dedicated mandates managed according to environmental criteria. A few years later, it launched the first environmentally-oriented mutual fund. Today, the Bank integrates sustainability throughout the investment process, as highlighted by its claim “Sustainable Swiss Private Banking since 1841.”
“We have a heritage that stretches back since 1841, and we hope to be here for many more generations to come,” Daniel Belfer adds. “Our outlook is global, but Asia is at the heart of our ambitions for the future. We are looking forward to being lifelong partners to all the clients who entrust their generational wealth to Bank J. Safra Sarasin.”
J. Safra Group’s Transaction Highlights
2006
Acquisition of Banque du Gothard (Monaco) SAM, which is renamed Banque J. Safra (Monaco) SA.
2012
Acquisition of Sarasin whereby the J. Safra Group acquired the majority shareholding of Bank Sarasin.
2014
Buys 30 St Mary’s Axe known as ‘The Gherkin’, then acquires 50% of the iconic food brand Chiquita, and finally announces the acquisition of Morgan Stanley’s Private Banking business in Switzerland.
2015
Banque J. Safra Sarasin (Luxembourg) SA announces the acquisition of Bank Leumi’s Private Banking business in Luxembourg.
2016
Expand in Gibraltar through the acquisition of Credit Suisse’s local subsidiary.
2017
Expand in Monaco with the acquisition of Credit Suisse’s local subsidiary.
Safra National Bank of New York acquired Bank Hapoalim’s international Private Banking business in Miami.
2018
Acquired the Private Banking businesses of Bank Hapoalim in Luxembourg and Switzerland.
2019
Acquisition of Lombard Odier’s Private Banking business in Gibraltar.
2021
Acquisition of the Private Banking businesses of Bank of Montreal in Hong Kong and Singapore.
2022
Safra National Bank of New York acquired Delta National Bank and Trust and Banco Safra S.A. acquired Banco Alfa.
2024
Acquisition of the Swiss asset manager MIV Asset Management AG.
2025
Announced the acquisition of approximately 70% of Saxo Bank.*
* Closing subject to regulatory approval
1 https://www.bcg.com/publications/2025/global-wealth-report-2025-rethinking-rules-for-growth
2 https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/asia-pacifics-family-office-boom-opportunity-knocks
