Banque Cantonale du Valais was founded in 1917. After operating as a stand-alone public-sector entity, BCVs converted to a public limited company in 1993, opening up a portion of its share capital to the general public. It was the first cantonal bank in Switzerland to ‘go public’ in this way. After its share capital was restructured, all of the BCVs registered shares have been listed on the stock exchange since 12 May 2016. BUSINESS LINES With its balance sheet totalling CHF 15.566 billion, BCVs has a linchpin role in the Valais banking sector with a market share of approximately 30%. As of 31 December 2017, its workforce (full-time and part-time staff) numbered some 536, making it one of the flagship employers in the canton. BCVs undertakes retail banking, wealth management (for individual as well as institutional customers) and business banking. It has built up an extensive network of branches spread throughout the Canton of Valais and can offer its customers the full range of up-to-the-minute digital services. Regionally, its operating business is split up into five areas: Haut-Valais (literally Upper Valais), Sierre, Sion, Martigny and Monthey. CONSISTENT AND RELEVANT STRATEGY Asset quality, cost containment, consolidation and diversification of its income streams, risk management and strengthening of its capital form the strategic framework of BCVs. In terms of its operating business, the Bank aims to maintain and improve its profitability, enhance the quality of its business volume and efficiently steer the transition of the Bank into the digital era.