Be wary if you get a phone call from someone claiming to be an IT support person. When making payments, be sure to check the payee's bank details and the amount. Your log-in details are confidential, never share them with anyone!
A story inextricably linked with Vaud Canton
Since our Bank was founded in 1845, we have been continually adapting and updating our range of services in response to customers’ changing needs. Now, 180 years later, we are still working hand-in-hand with Vaud residents and businesses to help them build a brighter future.
2020
BCV celebrates its 175th anniversary.
2017
BCV expands its digital offering. Customers can open an account and apply for, renew, or transfer a mortgage online, as well as speak with an advisor via videoconferencing.
BCV's main lobby at Place St-François in Lausanne gets a makeover with a modern look and feel – reflecting our positioning as a bank for the 21st century.
2011
BCV subsidiary Banque Piguet & Cie SA merges with Banque Franck Galland & Cie SA in the first half of the year to create Banque Piguet Galland & Cie SA.
BCV becomes the first full-service bank in Switzerland to offer an e-banking app for smartphones and for tablets.
2007
BCV repurchases the final tranche of the participation-certificate capital issued in 2003, reducing the Cantonal Government's stake to 67%.
2005
BCV divides its operations into nine regional divisions in order to strengthen ties with customers.
2001 to 2002
BCV experiences significant losses and a sharp reduction in its capital. The Vaud Cantonal Government steps in to shore up the Bank through two recapitalizations; its stake in BCV rises from 50.1% to 84%.
1996 to 2000
The Bank expands into new business lines, including investment banking, international private banking and trading.
1998
BCV first launches www.bcv.ch.
1995
BCV merges with Crédit Foncier Vaudois, which two years earlier had merged with Caisse d’Épargne et de Crédit.
1994
BCV’s Administrative Center opens in the spring. It houses the Bank's IT and admin functions, the training center for cantonal banks in French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland and the Bank’s trading room – one of the largest in French-speaking Switzerland.
1993
BCV acquires Banque Vaudoise de Crédit.
1987
BCV’s total assets cross the CHF 10 billion mark.
1981
BCV introduces a decentralized organizational structure with regional headquarters to oversee the offices and branches of each region (the Renens regional headquarters is shown).
1970
BCV has 43 branch offices.
The Bank opens its own training center, initially located at Rue du Maupas 2 in Lausanne but relocated to BCV’s Administrative Center in Prilly in 1994.
1960
BCV’s total assets cross the CHF 1 billion mark.
1950
The Bank's admin departments move into the Beau-Séjour extension on the south side of the main building.
1945
The end of the Second World War marks the start of a phase of rapid growth at BCV. The Bank has 27 branches spread over the canton and begins building an extension on its main building.
1932
BCV takes over several regional banks in liquidation and expands its footprint in Vaud.
1923
BCV has 180 employees, not including its agents.
1903
BCV opens a new head office at 14 Place St-François in Lausanne.
1886
La BCV est la première banque cantonale à créer une caisse de retraite pour son personnel.
1881
Until 1881, banks were free to print their own banknotes and use their own designs. But the federal government passed a law that year introducing a standard design for all banknotes, except for the name of the issuing bank. In 1883, BCV began printing standard banknotes of 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 francs. The Canton of Vaud, through BCV, continued to issue banknotes until July 1906 when the federal government opened the official mint that’s still in use today. The federal government obtained a monopoly on banknotes in 1907.
1853
A mere seven years after its founding, BCV moves into a stately building at 25 Rue Saint-Pierre. This time the Bank decides to buy the property rather than to rent it.
1849
BCV opens branch offices in 17 towns in Vaud.
1846
BCV opens its doors on 21 July and is led by Adolphe Burnand until 1852. The Bank leases office space at 13 Rue Saint-Pierre in Lausanne, paying CHF 110 francs per month in rent.
1845
In the midst of tough economic conditions, the people of Vaud petition the Cantonal Parliament to create a canton-level banking institution: BCV is born.
