Swiss private bank Edmond de Rothschild confirmed Wednesday that it had taken steps to protect its clients and staff after revelations that its chief executive, Ariane de Rothschild, had professional ties with convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Documents released by the US justice department on January 30 show that de Rothschild established a professional relationship with Epstein in 2013, five years after Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. These documents have brought renewed attention to several high profile figures worldwide.
The bank emphasized that its board of directors has organized independent monitoring of the situation in addition to ongoing management analyses. Edmond de Rothschild stated that it has taken necessary measures to safeguard the interests of clients, employees, and shareholders, although it did not provide further details.
Emails revealed in the US documents indicate that Epstein became a close advisor to de Rothschild. The bank clarified that its French chief met Epstein several times between 2013 and 2019 in the normal course of her duties and had no knowledge of his conduct or personal behavior. Being mentioned in the documents does not imply any wrongdoing by the bank or its CEO.
Edmond de Rothschild, a specialist in private banking and asset management, is expected to release its 2025 financial results in mid March. The bank reported collecting 10 billion Swiss francs in new funds last year and an additional five billion since the start of the year, bringing its assets under management to a historic high of over 200 billion Swiss francs.
The bank’s proactive statements aim to reassure clients and the public while maintaining its position as a leading private banking institution in Europe.
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