HSBC Swiss Private Bank Appoints Alfonso Gómez as CEO
HSBC has hired Alfonso Gómez, BBVA's Swiss chief, to oversee its private banking operations and act as country head in Switzerland, effective 27 April 2026.
Gómez, a 31-year veteran of BBVA, arrives at a crucial time for the bank as it aims to reestablish stable leadership after a series of temporary appointments.
Gabriel Castello previously led HSBC Swiss Private Bank until December 2024, when he was elevated to interim CEO of global private banking.
After Castello's departure, John Shipman assumed the role of interim leader in January 2025. Nonetheless, Shipman's time at the bank was shorter than a year, as he left in November to become the Swiss CEO at competitor Barclays.
Since then, the unit has been guided by acting leader Daniel Calado. With Gómez's arrival later this month, Calado will revert to his previous position as CFO.
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Gómez started at BBVA in November 1994, holding various roles and locations centered on corporate banking and trade finance, eventually becoming Swiss CEO in July 2014.
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Gómez, who reports directly to Ida Liu, CEO of HSBC Private Bank since January, is now responsible for using his local market knowledge to guide the Swiss branch through a larger global reorganization of the bank's wealth division.
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This worldwide reorganization was initiated by group CEO Georges Elhedery, resulting in HSBC dividing into four main businesses, combining its global commercial and institutional banking functions, and establishing a specialized international wealth and premier banking unit.