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Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise

Industry	financial service activities, except insurance and pension funding
Founded	1883
Services	Banking
Operating income	91.267 mln CHF (2023) [1]
Total assets	11 879 mln CHF (2023) [1]
Number of employees	311 (2023) [1]
Website	bcn.ch

Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise is a Swiss cantonal bank which is part of the 24 cantonal banks serving Switzerland's ^[2] 26 cantons. ^[3] Founded in 1883, Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise in 2014 had 12 branches across Switzerland with 264 employees; total assets of the bank were 9 979.04 mln CHF. Headquartered in Neuchâtel (NE), Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise has full state guarantee of its liabilities. ^[1]

The Grand Council of Neuchâtel has voted on 14 April 1882 a law founding the Banque cantonale neuchâteloise. ^[4] The first branch of the bank opened on January 2nd 1883 in Neuchâtel, followed the same year by a second branch in La Chaux-de-Fonds. ^[4] A savings service is created in 1894. ^[4] Starting from the beginning of the 20th century, the Swiss National Bank received the monopoly to issue banknotes, cutting that way part of the BCN's capital. ^[4] This led the Grand Council to vote a new law in 1907 to increase the bank's capital and the state's share in that capital. ^[4]

During the 1920s the BCN saw its capital increased again, while it was absorbing the Caisse d'épargne de Neuchâtel. ^[4] During the years of crisis between 1920 and 1930, the BCN supported the canton's watchmaking industry in a significant way. ^[4] At the beginning of the 1930s, the bank, which was suffering from the consequences of the economic crisis, had to be stabilized twice. ^[4]

After World War II the BCN enjoyed a long period of prosperity. ^[4] In 1975, the balance sheet of the bank crossed the billion Swiss franc mark for the first time. ^[4] In 1980, the adoption of a new law by the Grand Counsil allows a new capital increase. ^[4]

In 1983 the Banque cantonale neuchâteloise creates for its 100th anniversary a cultural foundation to support culture in the canton of Neuchâtel with a capital of two million francs. ^[5] In 2003, the BCN announces the closing of six of its twenty branches for financial reasons, but also due to security issues and a lack of visitors in those branches. ^[6] In 2011, the president of the board of directors of the Banque cantonale neuchâteloise is, for the first time, a woman: Manuela Surdez. ^[7]

Starting from 2014 the Banque cantonale neuchâteloise becomes a pioneer in Switzerland by being one of the first institutions of the country to accept as clients businesses that are active in the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector, a position resulting from the strategy of the canton's economic promotion aiming at supporting that industry. However, the BCN makes a U-turn at the beginning of 2024 by deciding to stop hosting cryptocurrency brokerage activities, ^[8] a reversal that triggered questions as far as the Great Council. ^[9]

The BCN is a public-law institution, whose CHF 100 million capital is entirely owned by the canton. As precised by the law, the BCN runs its activity in full independence from the state. ^[10] Its headquarter is in Neuchâtel. It is a member of the 24 cantonal bank network Association of Swiss Cantonal Banks.

On 31 January 2021 the Banque cantonale neuchâteloise had twelve branches spread over the canton's territory ( Cernier, Colombier, Couvet, Fleurier, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Landeron, Le Locle, Les Brenets, Marin-Epagnier, Neuchâtel, Peseux, Saint-Aubin-Sauges). ^[11]

The BCN has received the Fair-ON-Pay label, which certifies the respect of the Gender Equality Act. ^[12]

• Cantonal bank
• List of banks in Switzerland

• Official website

46°59′24″N 6°55′43″E / 46.9899°N 6.9285°E / 46.9899; 6.9285