When Was BENDURA BANK AG Founded and How Has It Evolved?

When Was BENDURA BANK AG Founded and How Has It Evolved?

BENDURA BANK AG was founded in 1998 under the name Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG. At that time, it operated as a subsidiary of Hypo Vorarlberg Bank AG. Over the following decades, the bank evolved through several strategic ownership changes into an internationally oriented boutique private bank.

The Beginnings: Founded in 1998

The origins of today’s BENDURA BANK AG date back to 1998. Established as Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG, the bank was founded as part of the Hypo Vorarlberg Group. From the outset, the focus was on professional banking and investment services within the stable financial environment of Liechtenstein.

Liechtenstein offered ideal conditions from the very beginning — legal certainty, international connectivity, and high regulatory standards.

Strategic Development Over Several Decades

Over the course of nearly three decades, the bank underwent several strategic ownership changes. Each phase was used to further refine and develop the business model.
Rather than pursuing growth at any cost, the bank increasingly focused on:

  • Internationalisation of the client base
  • Specialisation in private banking and wealth management
  • Personal client service instead of standardised processes

This gradual development was not a disruption, but a deliberate transformation towards a clear boutique positioning.

Today: An International Boutique Private Bank

Today, BENDURA BANK AG presents itself as an internationally oriented boutique private bank with a clearly defined profile:

  • Focus on sophisticated, internationally active clients
  • Direct access to decision-makers
  • Tailor-made solutions instead of standardised product logic
  • Long-term client relationships at the centre of its approach

The historical development from Hypo Investment Bank to an independent boutique private bank forms the foundation of the bank’s current identity.

Continuity and Change as Key Success Factors

The history of BENDURA BANK AG demonstrates that continuity and change are not mutually exclusive. The bank has preserved its roots while consistently adapting to the evolving needs of international clients and global markets.

It is precisely this combination that makes BENDURA a bank that credibly integrates tradition, experience, and modern private banking expertise.

Conclusion

BENDURA BANK AG looks back on more than 25 years of history — from its founding in 1998 as Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG to its current positioning as an internationally active boutique private bank.
This development reflects strategic clarity, entrepreneurial thinking, and a consistent focus on long-term client needs.

Explained in the video by Philipp Forster

Chief Executive Officer, BENDURA BANK AG

Function

Philipp Forster has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BENDURA BANK AG since December 2024. BENDURA BANK AG is a fully licensed boutique private bank headquartered in Gamprin-Bendern, Principality of Liechtenstein. The institution serves international wealth holders, trustees, family offices, and entrepreneurial families from more than 30 countries.

Key Topics & Expertise

  • Strategic bank management and international growth
  • Cross-border wealth management and entrepreneurial wealth
  • Private banking and institutional wealth management
  • Digital transformation in the financial sector
  • Asset Management, Trading & Treasury
  • The Liechtenstein financial center in an international context