Bernard Keller retires and leaves Julius Baer

Zurich, 4 December 2014 - Bernard Keller, who has been with the Julius Baer Group for a total of more than twenty years, will retire from the Executive Board of Julius Baer Group Ltd. at the end of 2014. His succession will be announced in due course.

Bernard Keller, a private banker with three decades of experience, has played a pivotal role in the transformation of Julius Baer. As CEO of BDL Banco di Lugano, one of the three private banks taken over by Julius Baer in 2005, he substantially contributed to the success of this landmark transaction. As a Member of Bank Julius Baer's Executive Board, he was subsequently responsible for the private banking business in the strategic markets of Southern Switzerland and Italy. He was later the driving force behind the strategic initiative to combine Julius Baer's regionally managed Swiss private client business into a new, single market region of Switzerland. And he was recently responsible for the integration of the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management business in Switzerland. Bernard Keller joined the Executive Board of Julius Baer Group Ltd. on 1 January 2010 as Private Banking Representative.

Boris F.J. Collardi, CEO of Julius Baer, commented: "We have been very fortunate to be able to count on Bernard Keller's support for well over twenty years now. He combined a wealth of experience in private banking and distinct business acumen with a winning personality that made him a natural leader and successful manager. His name will always be linked with Julius Baer becoming the international reference in private banking. The impetus he gave the entire organisation over all these years will remain exemplary for us also going forward, and for this we are very grateful. We wish Bernard Keller all the best for the future."