PKB was founded in Zurich in 1958 under the name Privat Kredit Bank.
Its growth was marked by the following milestones:
| 1969 | Lugano branch opening |
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| 1984 | Geneva branch opening | |
| 1990 | acquisition of Banque Worms & Cie (Suisse) SA, Geneva | |
| 1995 | incorporation of Privat Kredit Bank Ltd., St. John’s, Antigua (West Indies) | |
| 1998 | change of name to the current PKB Privatbank | |
| 2000 | transfer of registered office to Lugano | |
| 2001 | acquisition of 30% of Cassa Lombarda Spa, Milano |
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| 2004 | acquisition of Banca Monte Paschi (Suisse) SA | |
| 2005 | purchase of equity participation in Rasini & C. SA and EIH Endurance Investments Holding SA | |
| 2009 | Bellinzona branch opening | 2010 | acquisition of Banca Gesfid Lugano |
| 2010 | purchase of an equity investment in Queluz Gestao de Activos Ltda, Sao Paolo | |
| 2012 | purchase of CMB Banque Privée (Suisse) SA, Lugano | |
| 2012 | incorporation of PKB Banca Privada (Panamà) SA |