Strategy
French Private Bank Appoints Branding Agency

Soon to be launched La Compagnie 1818 - Banquiers Prives, the private banking arm of French savings bank group La Caisse d'Epargne has appointed Publicis Dialog, the branding and marketing communications subsidiary of French advertising group Publicis. Publicis Dialog will advise on such areas of the private bank's activities as gaining clients, market positioning and media activity. The new bank will offer a range of wealth management services such as investment and real estate products and loans, including third-party investment products. It will take over the business of the group’s Vega Finance, Banque Sanpaolo and Credit Foncier Banque businesses. IXIS Private Capital Management arm could be included soon too, according to the bank. The unit will have a staff of 230. It aims to have €7 billion in assets under management and €500 million in loans in 2007.