News 
30/06/2022
Neuchâtel’s centennial as a financial centre
Bonhôte leads the project marking Neuchâtel’s 100th anniversary as a financial centre. To mark its centennial, the Canton of Neuchâtel Banking Federation (ACBN) has undergone a makeover and unveiled a range of projects targeting the younger generation.
Founded in 1922, the Canton of Neuchâtel Banking Federation (ACBN), which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, is seeking to attract the next generation to careers in banking. Additionally, the annual Bankers Day – a key event in the Swiss finance industry – will be taking place this year in Neuchâtel on 15 September.
Neuchâtel’s financial services industry has been given a makeover, featuring an entirely new corporate image, a brand-new website and a refreshed communications strategy highlighting the diversity of careers on offer – using explanatory videos filmed at each bank and posted on social media.
Three specific projects are being launched. The first is aimed at students at UniNE and HE-Arc, two university-level institutions in the region. More than 150 students will have the opportunity to enter research in a topical field such as fintech, cryptocurrencies and sustainable finance (or others hand-picked by the ACBN) into a special competition. The winners will share a CHF 12,000 cash prize, which will be presented at a metaverse-themed gala evening to be held at Microcity/EPFL on 8 September.
The second project is for everyone. Using the Totemi application, anyone with a computer can find out more about the federation's members by taking an interactive guided tour of the city of Neuchâtel and its banks. Discover the careers on offer plus anecdotes about the various banks, and earn a chance to win a Tissot watch worth CHF 1,000.
The third project is aimed at sports enthusiasts. For the Neuchâtel Sports Festival on 20-21 August, a 135m2 BigAirbag® will be made available thanks to support from the federation, offering a soft landing to any athlete brave enough to propel themselves into the air on their bike, scooter or rollerblades. Pro-riders will also put on a special show. A range of prizes donated by the federation’s members will be awarded at the festival.
"I’m very pleased with this project marking Neuchâtel’s 100th anniversary as a financial centre, which gives us an opportunity to introduce banking-related careers to a wider audience and promote our expertise, thanks to a new image more attuned to reality,” comments Mirko Mandola, ACBN President and Managing Director of UBS Neuchâtel. “I’d like to thank all those who from both near and far have contributed to making this project a success. I look forward to the festivities.”
"I was delighted to be involved in this project as a BPS trainee,” says Vanessa Proserpi, an intern at BPS (SWITZERLAND). “Thanks to this project, we could shine a spotlight on our professions and the training opportunities on offer in the banking sector. I also took part in the Haute-Ecole Arc competition as I’m currently in my third year of a bachelor’s degree there, in Business Administration. Our work has focused on how banks in Neuchâtel should deal with the emergence of neo-banks. We hope to rank among the top-five papers selected for the gala evening on 8 September.”
About the Canton of Neuchâtel Banking Federation (ACBN)
Founded in 1922, the Canton of Neuchâtel Banking Federation (ACBN) currently comprises nine banks: BCN, Bonhôte, Credit Suisse, UBS (the four founding members) as well as BPS (SUISSE), Banque Cler, Banque Migros, Raiffeisen and Valiant. At the latest count, it covers 612 employees, 43 apprentices/trainees and 38 branches in the canton of Neuchâtel.
