Sustainability

For us, sustainability and responsibility are inextricably linked. As private bankers with unlimited liability, we strike a balance between people and money. In doing so, we allocate capital in a targeted manner to help shape a responsible future.

Bringing people, money and the future into harmony

Bringing people, money and the future into harmony

For us, acting responsibly begins with ourselves. As private bankers with unlimited liability, we have always practised personal responsibility. By continually striving to improve, we ensure that we are moving towards a better future together with our clients.

What applies to the individual also applies to society and the economy as a whole: companies engage in dialogue with their stakeholders – such as employees, customers and suppliers – and strive for long-term cooperation based on partnership. In the financial world, we summarise this approach under the term ESG (Environment, Social, Governance). It is important to note that ESG encompasses a broad spectrum of impact areas – covering environmental, social and corporate responsibility – which we also put into practice as part of our business activities.

How we fulfil
our responsibilities
in practice

Prudent use of resources

Prudent use of resources

We strive to keep the negative impacts on the environment, such as our company CO2 emissions, as low as possible. Our goal is to be carbon-neutral by 2028 at the latest. We are taking specific measures to achieve this and will continue to do so. We are careful and economical in the way we use resources. We also consider resource consumption when taking business decisions.

Forward-looking investment approach

Forward-looking investment approach

We firmly believe that financially prosperous companies with forward-looking business models and far-sighted management can help bring about an environmentally and socially sustainable world. We analyse and select investments in accordance with our forward-looking investment approach, which is based on our own independent market opinion.

Investments of Reichmuth & Co Investment Management AG

Investments of Reichmuth & Co Investment Management AG

We see it as our mission to make a long-term and tangible contribution to the transition towards a more sustainable world through our investment activities. For this reason, we are continually expanding our range of sustainable investment instruments so that our clients can actively invest in the energy transition and decarbonisation of the economy.

Transparent reporting

Transparent reporting

Our portfolio reporting encompasses not just performance but also information on environmental and social issues as well as corporate management. Where available, the investments in the portfolio are displayed with ESG ratings from “A+” to “D-”. Upon request, for example for institutional clients, we prepare detailed reports and extracts in accordance with the required investment guidelines.

Responsibility dialogue

Responsibility dialogue

We are passionate about serving others and going the extra mile: our clients have the freedom to decide for themselves what responsibility means to them personally and how they wish to meet it when investing. In this dialogue, we listen to what responsibility means to them personally, what goals they want to pursue and what their stance on the environment, social issues and responsible corporate governance is.

Commitment to society

Commitment to society

As private bankers, we have a responsibility towards society. Since the bank was founded, it has been a top priority of ours to support the common good. We are one of the main partners of the Rütli-Foundation, which is a foundation for charitable activities we founded and are strongly committed to. We also encourage all co-entrepreneurs to personally contribute to society.

Learning organisation

Learning organisation

A sustainable organisation is one which is constantly learning. We are not perfect, but strive to continuously develop ourselves through further education and training. We highly value personal and professional development, equal opportunities for men and women, diversity and the compatibility of family and career. As every co-entrepreneur has individual needs, we do not have a collective set of rules. With our lean structures and direct paths, we take into account individual concerns wherever this is possible and makes sense.

Personal responsibility is part of our DNA

Personal responsibility is part of our DNA

Since our founding in 1996, the unlimited and personal liability of our partners has been the foundation for our responsible, sensible and sympathetic actions and inactions. We have no employees, only long-standing co-entrepreneurs. Everyone takes personal responsibility towards both clients and the company. Taking responsibility should be a worthwhile act. We share our company’s economic success and provide opportunities for financial participation in Reichmuth & Co.

Discover our values

The three pillars of ESG

The targeted allocation of assets influences a sustainable future. When selecting investments, we apply our own multi-stage sustainability filter in addition to our tried-and-tested financial analysis. Investment instruments are analysed according to standard ESG criteria, assessed from our own perspective, and rated according to our ESG rating system.

Environment

The focus is on the protection of natural resources, energy efficiency, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and effective waste management. Assessing these criteria helps to identify companies with environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices.

Social

The social aspect covers fair working conditions, respect for human rights, diversity, business ethics and the prevention of corruption. The assessment examines the extent to which the company acts in a socially responsible manner.

Governance

This section assesses the governance and oversight of companies. The focus is on transparent corporate structures, the accountability of senior management and the independence of supervisory bodies.

Reichmuth & Co’s history

Reichmuth & Co’s history

The values of the Reichmuth family, as our anchor shareholder, have shaped our Group’s DNA from its foundation to the present day. Underpinned by the shareholders’ unlimited liability, Reichmuth & Co stands for responsible and values-driven corporate governance, in which long-term success and trust are inextricably linked and take precedence above all else.

1996 – Foundation

Driven by a deep-seated conviction in uncompromising client focus, Karl Reichmuth, together with his son Christof, laid the foundations for what is now Reichmuth & Co Privatbankiers. As Switzerland’s newest genuine private bank with unlimited liability, they set a clear example of responsible Swiss banking services.

2000 – Pioneer in pension solutions and the launch of philanthropic initiatives

With the launch of PensFlex, we are creating a completely new option for self-directed pension provision in the supplementary pension sector. With this innovation, we are among the pioneers in Switzerland in the field of personalised pension solutions within the 2nd pillar.

At the same time, we are establishing the Rütli Foundation, which enables philanthropic engagement that makes a real difference.

2001 – Expansion of expertise in investment funds

By establishing our own fund management company, Reichmuth & Co Investment Management AG, we are laying the groundwork to offer our own funds in addition to our asset management services.

2012 – Laying the foundations for infrastructure solutions

With the establishment of InRoll AG, we are reaching our first milestone in our targeted investment in forward-looking infrastructure. The company acquires freight wagons and leases them on long-term contracts to large enterprises and state-owned railways.

2015 – Launch of our first infrastructure fund

Reichmuth & Co Investment Management AG launches the ‘Reichmuth Infrastructure Switzerland KmGK’: our first diversified infrastructure fund focusing on transport, utilities and waste management.

2020 – Commitment to global standards

Reichmuth & Co Investment Management AG has signed up to the UNPRI. By adhering to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, it commits to complying with their sustainability standards.

2022 – Launch of a fund for sustainable infrastructure

In its capacity as an investment adviser, Reichmuth & Co Investment Management AG is supporting the launch of the Luxembourg-based fund ‘Reichmuth SCS SICAV-RAIF – Reichmuth Sustainable Infrastructure’. This enables us to make targeted investments in unlisted companies and projects in Switzerland and Europe, with a focus on classified sustainable transport, energy and waste management infrastructure.

Key questions and answers

Where can I find more information and the regulatory basis for the topic of ESG?

Click on the following link for the “Guidelines for financial service providers on the integration of ESG preferences and ESG risks into investment advice and portfolio management” of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and our ESG information brochure.

What is meant by the UN’s 17 goals?

In 2015, the United Nations member states adopted Agenda 2030, which includes 17 goals for sustainable development and calls on all countries to work together to ensure that these goals can be achieved by 2030. These are issues relating to climate change, environmental degradation, poverty and inequality. The 17 goals are known as Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs for short.

What does sustainability and ESG mean?

There is no universally accepted definition for the concept of sustainability. The Federal Council has endorsed the Brundtland Report’s definition of sustainability: “Development is sustainable if it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

ESG encompasses the three following dimensions of sustainable development:

  • Governance
  • Environment
  • Social

I’d be happy to answer any further questions you may have