Habib Bank AG Zurich is a privately owned bank founded in 1967 in Zurich, Switzerland, by Hyder Mohamedali Habib, son of the Bank’s patriarch, Mohamedali Habib. The Bank’s origins go back to 1941 when Mohamedali Habib established the first Habib family bank, which laid the foundation for Habib Bank AG Zurich. The Bank remains to this day in the hands and under the leadership of Mohamedali Habib's descendants.
Muhammad H. Habib serves as the President, while Mohamedali R. Habib is the Group CEO. Dr. Andreas Länzlinger was elected to the Bank’s Board of Directors in 2008 and has been Chairman of the Board since 2013.
Habib Bank AG Zurich’s head office is located in Zurich, with branch operations in Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and subsidiaries in Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (UK). The Bank also has representative offices in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Türkiye.
As of 31 December 2024, the Bank employed a total of 7,904 people in 587 offices.
History
1967: Habib Bank AG Zurich was incorporated in Zurich, Switzerland, as an independent bank affiliated with Habib Bank (Overseas) Limited. 1974: Habib Bank AG Zurich expanded its international footprint by establishing branches in the UAE and the UK. 1978: Habib Bank AG Zurich began its operations in Kenya. 1979: Habib Bank AG Zurich Finance Limited was incorporated in China as a deposit-taking company (DTC), marking its presence in the Asian market. 1989: Habib Bank AG Zurich opened a branch in Pakistan. 1995: Habib Bank AG Zurich started its operations in South Africa with its first major investment in the country by a Swiss banking group. 2001: Habib Canadian Bank (HCB) was established as a subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich, marking the Bank’s presence in North America. 2004: To meet the growing demand for Shariah-compliant financial services, Habib Bank AG Zurich launched Islamic Banking services. 2006: Habib Bank AG Zurich's Pakistan operations merged with Metropolitan Bank to form Habib Metropolitan Bank (HABIBMETRO). 2017: Habib Bank AG Zurich celebrated the 50th anniversary of its global banking operations, marking half a century of excellence and innovation in serving customers worldwide. 2020: Habib Bank AG Zurich's representative office in Shanghai, China, commenced operations. 2022: Habib Bank AG Zurich opened a branch in Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC), further strengthening its presence in one of the leading financial hubs of the world. 2023: Habib Bank AG Zurich established a representative office in Istanbul, Türkiye. 2024: Habib Bank AG Zurich celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its banking operations in the UAE and the UK. Habib Bank AG Zurich and HABIBMETRO Bank celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Sirat Islamic Banking in Pakistan.
Members of the Board of Directors
Dr. Andreas Länzlinger Chairman since 2013, Board of Directors of Habib Bank AG Zurich since 2008.
Urs Seiler Vice-Chairman of the Board since April 2015, Board member since 2012.
Roland Müller-Ineichen Chairman of the Audit Committee, Board member since 2018.
Michael Schneebeli Chair of the Risk & Control Committee, Board member since 2021.
Ursula Suter Former Chairwoman of the Risk & Control Committee (2013-2024), Board member since 2012.
Members of General Management
Muhammad H. Habib Member of General Management at Habib Bank AG Zurich since 1992 and Group President since February 2011.
Mohamedali R. Habib Group Chief Executive Officer since 2016 and Chairman of the Board of Directors at HABIBMETRO since 2015.
Ertugrul Tüfekci Member of General Management since February 2025, and Head of Shared Services since May 2025.
Mohsin Ali Nathani Member of General Management and Head of Asian Markets and Canada since June 2024.
Arif Usmani Member of General Management and Group Chief Risk Officer since 2023.
Global Network Branches, Subsidiaries and Representative Offices
Switzerland – Head Office Kenya – 4 Branches UAE – 8 Branches, 1 Subsidiary, DIFC Branch Canada – 3 Branches Hong Kong – 2 Branches, 1 Rep Office Pakistan – 500+ Branches, Rep Office South Africa – 8 Branches United Kingdom – 8 Branches Bangladesh – Rep Office – Dhaka China – Rep Office – Shanghai Türkiye – Rep Office – Istanbul
Key Services / Products
Commercial Banking: Banking solutions for businesses, including loans, payment solutions, and account management. Trade Finance: Trade financing services for businesses and financial institutions worldwide. Personal Banking: Personal banking solutions for individual clients. Financial Institutions/Correspondent Banking: Global correspondent-banking services for international trade requirements. Wealth Management: Investment, asset and wealth management services for clients. Islamic Banking: Shariah-compliant financial solutions under Global Islamic Banking brand ‘Sirat’. ‘Sirat’ is available currently in 5 countries within the Habib Bank AG Zurich network.
Awards and Recognitions
Habib Bank AG Zurich was awarded the Best Zurich-Based Private Bank at WealthBriefing Swiss Awards – 2025 Habib Bank AG Zurich was featured in The Banker magazine’s prestigious Top 1000 World Banks list in 2024 HABIBMETRO received Best Bank for Islamic Conversion Strategy in Pakistan at Islamic Retail Banking Awards - 2024 HABIBMETRO received Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year - Pakistan 2024 at Asian Banking & Finance Awards Habib Bank AG Zurich - Kenya received Digital Banker of the Year at Africa Fintech Forum – 2024 Habib Bank Zurich plc received Most Innovative Islamic Bank in the UK and HBZ received IFN Egypt Deal of the Year at the IFN Awards in 2024 Habib Bank AG Zurich received Client Initiative Award at WealthBriefing Swiss Awards – 2024 HABIBMETRO received Top 25 Companies Award at Pakistan Stock Exchange – 2023 Habib Bank Zurich plc received Best SME Bank, Best Customer Service Bank, and Best Islamic Bank by World Economic Magazine - 2024
Notable Events
50 Years in the UAE 50 Years in the UK
Subsidiaries
Canada Habib Canadian Bank: 3 Branches
Hong Kong 2 Branches & Representative Office
Pakistan HABIBMETRO: 500+ Branches & Representative Office
South Africa HBZ Bank Limited: 8 Branches
UK Habib Bank Zurich Plc: 8 Branches
Philanthropy
Pakistan
Habib University, Pakistan Indus Hospital, Pakistan SIUT Trust, Pakistan Patient Aids Foundation, Pakistan
South Africa
Sunfield Home School, South Africa Mashaka Primary School, South Africa
Switzerland
Swiss Red Cross, Switzerland Turkish Red Crescent Society, Switzerland
Kenya
Sukuma Twende Trust, Kenya UN Refugee Agency, Kenya
Canada
Max Scholarship Fund, Canada International Development and Relief Fund, Canada
Hong Kong
THE ONE Humanitarian Award, Hong Kong City University, Hong Kong
UK
Adab Festival (Pakistan Literature Festival), London, United Kingdom
UAE
Pakistan Association Dubai, UAE
ESG Initiatives In 2023 and 2024, Habib Bank AG Zurich released its ESG reports outlining its sustainability initiatives and activities.
See also House of Habib
References