Since its foundation in 1899, Basler Kantonalbank has been heavily rooted in the Basel region and now operates as a full-service bank in Northwestern Switzerland. It serves its clients through a dense network of modern branches as well as through digital channels. All essential banking transactions can be carried out via E-Banking or user-friendly apps, regardless of location and time. Basler Kantonalbank covers the financing needs of corporate clients with a wide range of products and services. The specialists in the SME Center look after small to medium-sized companies throughout their entire life cycle. Similarly, a comprehensive portfolio of services for high-net-worth individuals, large corporate clients and institutional investors and other banks can be found at BKB, all from a single source.
BKB has a state guarantee and an AA+ rating from Standard & Poor’s. In addition to the parent company Basler Kantonalbank, the Group also includes Bank Cler, which ideally complements BKB in the Swiss market as a digital bank with a physical presence in urban areas. Keen Innovation AG has also been part of the Group since 2019. This wholly owned subsidiary of BKB develops and tests products, solutions and business models. In terms of total assets, Group BKB is one of the ten largest Swiss banking groups.
The brand identity ensures a consistent brand experience across all points of contact with the Bank. The black and white colour scheme emphasises BKB’s regional roots.
Corona solidarity and close client care
BKB’s marketing started 2020 with a detailed annual plan. However, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation had to be completely reassessed and activities prioritised differently. Physical events such as client events could not be carried out as planned. Major events at which BKB is present as a sponsor did not take place at all in 2020. This meant that an important building block for the external perception of the BKB brand was completely omitted. BKB nonetheless fulfilled its contracts. In doing so, the Bank made a decisive contribution to maintaining the social, cultural and sporting diversity of the Basel region for the future.
In the first half of the year, the focus was on corona solidarity. During the first lockdown in spring, Swiss banks fulfilled an important function for the professional handling of various support programmes. Together with the Department of Economic, Social and Environmental Affairs of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, BKB launched the first and fastest support programme in Switzerland. BKB also participated in the national COVID-19 credit programme of the Federal Council. The rapid, uncomplicated processing of loan applications made a decisive contribution to averting liquidity bottlenecks in the industrial sector.
Proximity to the population and the economy of the Canton of Basel-Stadt is a core value for BKB. The Bank therefore made great efforts in 2020 to support local businesses. Together with the Pro Innerstadt association, the Support Your Locals campaign was launched in June. The aim of the campaign was to support local businesses in the best possible way by giving away vouchers, making early reservations or using online shops. In this context, BKB held a large competition. Gift vouchers from Pro Innerstadt Basel worth a total of CHF 145,000 were raffled off among more than 20,000 participants. The campaign also included a print magazine distributed to 220,000 households in Basel.
BKB also supported the trade foundation’s «Basel schafft(s) zämme» initiative. Selected companies received non-repayable emergency aid of CHF 4,000 from the solidarity fund for small businesses in Basel. The Bank’s employees also donated CHF 21,700 by voluntarily waiving individual meal allowances.
Continuous focus on sustainability
The promotion of sustainability is one of BKB’s five strategic thrusts. However, the Bank not only offers a sustainable product portfolio but also promotes sustainability as part of its social commitment. BKB is therefore acting as the main sponsor of a special exhibition on at the Natural History Museum in Basel from 20 November 2020 to 3 July 2022. «EARTH AT THE LIMIT» impressively shows the serious impact that human activity is having on the natural processes and habitats of our planet. Parallel to the exhibition in the Natural History Museum, BKB is holding an accompanying exhibition in its Spiegelgasse branch. There, the focus is on the question of how financial institutions can contribute to an intact environment – for example, by anchoring sustainability principles in the investment and lending business.