Executive pay aside, Swiss banking genuine's wealth is held by families and dynasties, as an annual compilation by Swiss publication «Bilanz» (in German) illustrates. The uppermost crust are Genevan families, which managed to pad their wealth discreetly and consistently in recent years (see graph).

(Click to enlarge; Data: Bilanz except Hinduja (Forbes); graph by finews.com)

In Switzerland, foreigners including India's S.P. Hinduja – who lives in London but controls the eponymous Geneva-based wealth manager – rank alongside 88-year-old hedge fund tycoon Christian Stucki and Bernard Sabrier, who controls Genevan asset manager Unigestion.

Last but not least, the presence of Schwyz-based financier Martin Ebner, demonstrates how he has rebuilt his fortune following steep losses in 2002.