Julius Baer, the Swiss bank, is bent on making Asia its second home market.

The bank has said that it is working to expand its presence further in the fast growing region. Among its plans are to upgrade its Hong Kong business into a booking centre before the end of 2010, to open a representative branch in Shanghai, China, and to open a trust company in Singapore by 2011. The plans were announced at a recent gala dinner hosted for clients and business partners in celebration of its having been in the industry for 120 years.

"Today, growth in emerging markets will help the world develop higher living standards and to broaden wealth distribution, with the investment universe getting richer in the process," Raymond Baer, the group chairman, said.

Bank Julius Baer presently has over 400 employees in Asia and has garnered several private banking awards for its Asian franchises. The bank is particularly eyeing Singapore and Hong Kong to be its key gateways to Asia, with the Singapore office as its headquarters for the South East and Hong Kong for North Asia.

Julius Baer Group has total client assets of SFr255 billion ($251 billion) as of 31 June 2010.