Banca del Gottardo has appointed Rolf Aeberli as the bank’s new chief executive. Mr Aeberli joins from Juluis Baer, where he was chief finan...

Banca del Gottardo has appointed Rolf Aeberli as the bank’s new chief executive. Mr Aeberli joins from Juluis Baer, where he was chief financial officer. He replaces Marco Netzer, who is leaving the bank, according to a statement. The Lugano-based bank also said it plans to focus more strongly on its private banking business in the Swiss and Italian markets. In a statement on the management changes, the bank said: “From the existing business model of a financial institution covering a broad range of products and services, the bank is now moving towards increased specialisation in private banking.” It added: “Geographically, it will focus on Switzerland for both on-shore and off-shore business and on Italy as its main foreign market. Special attention will be devoted to high net worth individuals, while the affluent client segment will be particularly important for growth in Switzerland.” The statement also included a comment aimed at dampening down speculation that Swiss Life, Gottardo’s parent, continues to look for a buyer for the bank. "Banca del Gottardo is an important part of the Swiss Life Group. I have no doubt that the bank’s chosen strategy will enable it to achieve its ambitious goals and to make a significant contribution to the group’s overall success in the future too,” said Rolf Doerig, chief executive of Swiss Life. Latest speculation has surrounded a possible merger deal between Gottardo and BSI, formerly Banca della Svizzera Italiana, and also based in Lugano. BSI is the private banking business of Assicurazioni Generali. But all groups involved have denied the rumours.