Who we are
Bank Coop was founded in 1927 as a cooperative society by the Swiss Confederation of Trade Unions (SGB) and the Federation of Swiss Consumer Associations (later to become Coop Switzerland), under the name of Cooperative Central Bank. In 1970 the bank's legal form was changed to a limited company. In 1995 the bank's name is changed to Coop Bank.In December 1999 Basler Kantonalbank (Basler Kantonalbank is a state bank owned by the canton of Basel City) acquires the majority of Coop Bank shares. The objective of this takeover is the close cooperation of two equivalent partners. COOP maintains a holding of around 10%; the trade unions, of around 5%. COOP emphasizes its close links with Coop Bank in the future, too. In September 2000 the bank presents its future strategy under the new style of Bank Coop.
Bank Coop is a joint stock company pursuant to the law of Switzerland.
Bank Coop is a leading nationwide full-service bank. Here are a few key statistics from our Annual Report for 2009 (Figures shown in true and fair view):
| Balance sheet total | CHF | 13'473'859'000 |
| Share capital | CHF | 337'500'000 |
| Equity and reserves | CHF | 882'645'000 (before appropriation of profit) |
| Net profit | CHF | 71'395'000* |
* Adjusted (without IT migration)
Bank Coop is a leading domestic universal bank with a strong commitment to sustainability. Our product range includes a comprehensive range of accounts, business and property financing facilities, commercial credits and expert investment advice with handling of securities transactions. We are focussed on close client relationships and offering high level personal banking services including comprehensive provision packages and sustainable investment products. Women can find under the "eva" label a wide range of banking services designed specifically to ladies banking requirements.
With its 33 offices, Bank Coop is well represented throughout Switzerland. The head office is in Basel.
Bank Coop has no branches outside Switzerland or foreign subsidiaries in the financial sector.
Bank Coop holds a licence from the Swiss Federal Bank Commission (EBK) to conduct banking business and act as stockbroker, and is subject to its supervision.
Money laundering law
Switzerland has comprehensive legislation for the banking sector concerning identifying customers and combating money laundering. We identify all contracting parties (natural persons) who have an account, a custody account portfolio or safe-deposit box with the Bank by means of an official document of identification containing a passport photo.
All legal entities that are customers of Bank Coop are identified by means of an extract from an official register. The surname, forename, residential address, nationality and date of birth of the beneficial owner will be recorded according to the current rules if the client is not the same as the beneficial owner, as is particularly the case with legal relations with trustees and non-trading organizations.
All transactions commissioned by Bank Coop from other banks are recorded in our books. There are no orders from third parties in the name of Bank Coop that are not shown in our accounts. Bank Coop regularly checks its customer base for, among other things, any coincidence with sought terrorists. We immediately notify the authorities responsible and block the assets if Bank Coop finds that the two coincide.
The auditors required under banking law further check observance of the rules for identifying customers and combating money laundering. They make an annual report to the EBK. The auditors required under banking law are subject in their turn to quality control from the EBK.