Banque Defoe is a bank to the extremely wealthy. Founded as Defoe Fournier
& Cie. in 1824 Paris by Anatole Defoe and Mathis Fournier, it became a
leading gold bullion trading house, establishing itself as a gold
custodian and transfer agent. 1
It was considered to be one of the the most reliable groups and was
recognized by many French and Belgian colony rulers who appointed Defoe
Fournier & Cie. as their keepers of wealth. The utmost confidentiality
maintained by Defoe Fournier & Cie. along with absolute financial
prudence were the cornerstones of its business.
Over next 180 years the bank did not really change. It was renamed to
Banque Defoe and in 1970 was relocated to Luxembourg. In essense it is
still a banker with very tight lips to the very wealthy European
establishment. Banque Defoe, with estimated just 70 employees, works under
the governance of 30 or so partners. Dozens of subsidiaries and business
units report to the bank and its partners. With over $5 billion in capital
the bank is considered to be very solid. It very seldom solicits business
and Banque Defoe partners, mostly hailing from European wealthy dynasties,
are the discreet face of the bank, which has no obvious presence and its
single Luxembourg office has no name plate.
Banque Defoe conducts its investment activities in the private placement
marketplace and mainly acts as investor in large project financing
transactions. It coinvests with alikes of ABN AMRO and HSBC. Many offshore
oil drilling platforms, power generation plants and toll roads were funded
by Banque Defoe investments. Banque Defoe investments often involve large
ownership positions in blue chip European companies.
Over next 180 years the bank did not really change. It was renamed to
Banque Defoe and in 1970 was relocated to Luxembourg. In essense it is
still a banker with very tight lips to the very wealthy European
establishment. Banque Defoe, with estimated just 70 employees, works under
the governance of 30 or so partners. Dozens of subsidiaries and business
units report to the bank and its partners. With over $5 billion in capital
the bank is considered to be very solid. It very seldom solicits business
and Banque Defoe partners, mostly hailing from European wealthy dynasties,
are the discreet face of the bank, which has no obvious presence and its
single Luxembourg office has no name plate.
Banque Defoe conducts its investment activities in the private placement
marketplace and mainly acts as investor in large project financing
transactions. It coinvests with alikes of ABN AMRO and HSBC. Many offshore
oil drilling platforms, power generation plants and toll roads were funded
by Banque Defoe investments. Banque Defoe investments often involve large
ownership positions in blue chip European companies.