Vontobel, the Swiss private bank, announced today that it is expanding its Swiss private clients business, opening branches in Basel and Berne in the first three months of 2010.

The bank is headquartered in Zurich and already has branches in Geneva and Lucerne.

“By increasing its local presence, the Vontobel Group is underscoring its proximity to clients as well as its commitment to actively serving and supporting wealthy private individuals directly in the region,” it said in a statement.

“Vontobel has succeeded in acquiring a number of experienced relationship managers in Basel, Berne and Zurich who previously worked for the Swiss private bank AAM,” it continued.

The bank dates its origins to the early 20^th century, when the family-owned bank was established in Zurich in 1924. As of 30 June, it held more than SFr100 billion of assets with about 1,400 staff worldwide. The firm is listed on the Swiss stock market.