Luzerner Kantonalbank (LUKB) has named Stefan Studer as its next CEO, effective 1 January 2027.

Studer, who has headed the bank’s private and commercial client business since 2015, will succeed Daniel Salzmann, who steps down at the end of 2026.

He began his career at Unilever before joining Credit Suisse in 2009, where he became head of corporate client business for Central Switzerland in 2011.

At LUKB, he oversaw the conversion of branches into meeting spaces and the modernisation of online banking.

He also helped develop LUKB30, the strategy the bank launched in 2026.

“Over the course of the selection process, it became clear that very few candidates have the extensive management experience and broad expertise required for a full-service bank,”

said Markus Hongler, Chair of the Board of Directors at LUKB.

“We want to combine the performance of a major bank with the accessibility of a cantonal bank and take a leading role in the use of data and AI.

That’s my aspiration and one by which we want to
be measured,”

said Studer.

The board has begun the search for his successor as head of private and commercial clients.

Salzmann has served as CEO since 2014. According to LUKB, its profit rose from CHF 180 million to about CHF 300 million during his tenure.

The bank is also making changes to its board. Martha Scheiber, vice chair since 2019, will leave the board at the annual general meeting on 12 April 2027 after twelve years as a director.

Salzmann has been nominated for election to her seat on the board.

Her vice chair role will be taken over by Marc Gläser, CEO of Stöckli Swiss Sports AG, who joined the board in 2023.

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Switzerland, based on image by Luzerner Kantonalbank (LUKB) via its website.