Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2011
Financial-reporting and management case
Former managers and auditors were prosecuted over alleged concealment of the bank’s deteriorating financial position and inaccurate accounts in the late 1990s. Two former managers were convicted of forgery, while other defendants and charges were acquitted or rejected. The Geneva Criminal Court convicted Marc Fues and René Curti of forgery while acquitting them of other charges. Dominique Ducret was acquitted of the charges against him, and the Federal Supreme Court essentially upheld the judgment. Former managers and auditors were prosecuted over alleged concealment of the bank's deteriorating financial position and inaccurate accounts in the late 1990s. The Geneva Criminal Court convicted Marc Fues and René Curti of forgery while acquitting them of other charges; Dominique Ducret was acquitted of the charges against him, and the Federal Supreme Court essentially upheld the judgment.
2000
Alleged money laundering through Lyon branch
A former Lyon branch director alleged that substantial deposits processed between 1996 and 1998 involved money laundering. The bank and Banque de France denied the allegations, and Geneva prosecutors closed the complaint in 2001 for lack of evidence.
2000
Late-1990s credit and reporting crisis
The bank faced major losses from non-performing loans and accusations that former managers had concealed the seriousness of its financial position and published misleading accounts. The episode resulted in a public-sector rescue, management departures and lengthy civil and criminal proceedings.
1999
Allegations concerning money laundering at the Lyon branch
A former branch director alleged that funds placed with the bank between 1996 and 1998 had been handled in connection with money laundering. BCGE denied the allegations, and Geneva prosecutors closed the complaint in 2001 for lack of evidence. A former Lyon branch director alleged that substantial deposits processed between 1996 and 1998 involved money laundering, with hundreds of millions of French francs handled in a money-laundering context. The bank and Banque de France denied the allegations, and Geneva prosecutors closed the complaint in 2001 for lack of evidence.