Swiss bank Edmond de Rothschild said, on Wednesday, February 25, that it had taken “measures” to protect its clients and staff after its chief executive, Ariane de Rothschild, was revealed to have links with convicted American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

De Rothschild established a professional relationship with Epstein from 2013, some five years after the deceased tycoon first pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution, according to documents released by the United States justice department on January 30.

The emails released by US authorities have indicated that Epstein became a close advisor to de Rothschild. The revelations have shone harsh light on several high profile figures, though being mentioned in the US documents does not, in and of itself, imply any wrongdoing.

The bank said it has “taken the necessary measures to guarantee the interests of its clients, employees and shareholders,” without giving any details. The bank’s board of directors “has organised itself to independently monitor the situation, in addition to the work and analyses carried out by management,” the bank told AFP in a statement, without specifying whether an investigation had started.

The bank has also admitted that de Rothschild had met Epstein several times between 2013 and 2019 in “the normal course of her duties within the group” and “had no knowledge of Mr. Epstein’s conduct and personal behavior.”

Bank reports ‘historic high’ assets

Edmond de Rothschild, a bank specialising in private banking and asset management, will release its 2025 results in mid-March. It told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that it had collected some 10 billion Swiss francs ($12.9 billion) in new funds last year.

It added that another five billion Swiss francs had been collected since the start of the year taking its assets under management to a “historic high” over 200 billion Swiss francs.