Baron Jean-Conrad Hottinguer

Since 1362, The Hottinger name has been intricately linked with the political, commercial, economic, cultural and religious life in Europe. In 1401, Hans, Heinrich and Rudolf Hottinger were appointed The Burghers of Zurich. Fallowing his fathers foot steps in 1507 Rudolph Hottinger became a member of the Zurich grand council. In the decades that followed, the Hottinger family distinguished them self’s as surgeons, academics and theologians. In 1740 Hans-Rudolph introduces the Hottinger family to the world of business and trade, although family continued to occupy important public post. However the Hottinger family now turned most of their energy to banking.

In 1764 Hans-konrad was born, who later changes his name to Jean-Conrad. Jean-Conrad studied Finance in Geneva, where he took a particular interest in the emerging areas of commercial laws and international trade. He became a devoted student of public borrowing in both France and England. In 1784 Jean-Conrad left the city of Zurich to go purse a business career in Paris. Due to the work of Jean-Conrad the name Hottinger appeared under the heading of “Bankers” in the Almanach Royal de France in 1784. During the turbulent years of the French Revolution banking and trade Associations were closed down, to be reborn later on under the Directoire. Jean-Conrad left France during this troublesome period, He traveled around Europe and America. During this time Jean-Conrad made and array of contacts, and set up a useful business network around the world. This resulted in a number of fruitful commercial and business relationships, including people like Bishop of Autun and prince of Benevent. After many years of traveling, Jean-Conrad finally returned to France in 1796 to continue working. Business recommenced at Hottinger & Cie in Paris once the Revolution was finally ending. The French economy was once again able to function properly when banking and trading had resumed. Hottinger & Cie became intimately involved in financial and trade industries in France, Switzerland and many other areas of the world thanks to the work of Baron Jean-Conrad.

In the beginning 19th century A family friend and associate, Henri Escher, established the first Hottinger representative office in America. His son, Alfred Escher, founded Credit Suisse, the Ecole Polytechnique of Zurich and Gothard Rail Company before being made President of the national council. For all his hard work and genius, the city for Zurich recognizes his achievement with a statue.

In 1803, Jean-Conrad was appointed as a founding member of The Board of Governors for The Banque de France. He then went on to become a member of the general Council of trade and then president of the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry. On the 19th of September 1810 he was made a Baron of the French empire. This hereditary title would pass to the oldest son of each Baron.

Jean-Conrad Hottinger later became interested in insurance industry. In the first year that the insurance industry was open to bankers, Jean-Conrad created the first Compagnie Royale D`Assurances. In 1818, he joined forces with Benjamin Delesserts to create the Caisse d`Epargne et de Prèvoyance de Paris, this was France’s First savings bank. Sorce www.hottinger.com book of french barons