Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers
Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers was a Dutch private bank serving wealthy individuals, asset-management clients and independent asset managers until its 2017 merger into Insinger Gilissen.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers was a Dutch private-bank brand with roots in the late nineteenth century. Theodorus Antonius Josephus Gilissen founded the bank on 1 February 1881. Over time, it developed a position in private banking and wealth management, concentrating on asset management, portfolio advisory services for wealthy individuals and the provision of infrastructure and related services to independent asset managers. The bank operated in the Netherlands through branches in The Hague, Amsterdam, Enschede, Groningen, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. Its business was therefore primarily domestic, although its ownership history connected it to several larger European financial groups. Until 1962, Theodoor Gilissen operated as an independent company. It was then converted into a corporation, marking an important structural change in its development. In 1967, the bank became part of Bank Mees and Hope. That banking group was later associated with MeesPierson, which in turn became part of ABN AMRO. In 1997, ABN AMRO sold MeesPierson to the Dutch-Belgian financial group Fortis, and Theodoor Gilissen was included in that transaction. In 2003, Fortis sold Theodoor Gilissen to KBL European Private Bankers, a Luxembourg-based private-banking group now known as Quintet Private Bank. The next major ownership change came in 2011, when KBC sold KBL European Private Bankers, including Theodoor Gilissen, to Precision Capital of Luxembourg. Precision Capital represented the interests of private investors from Qatar. The transaction formed part of KBC's effort to divest its European private-banking operations following requirements associated with the European Commission and KBC's wider restructuring after receiving state support during the financial crisis. The reported transaction value for KBL European Private Bankers was more than €1 billion. Theodoor Gilissen's final major corporate transition began in 2016. KBL European Private Bankers and BNP Paribas Wealth Management reached an agreement to acquire Insinger de Beaufort, and the combination of Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers with Insinger de Beaufort was announced in May 2016. The merger was completed in 2017, creating Insinger Gilissen. Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers consequently ceased to operate as a standalone bank brand. Its historical identity remains associated with Dutch private banking, discretionary and advisory wealth management, and support for independent asset-management firms.
History
Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers was founded in the Netherlands on 1 February 1881 by Theodorus Antonius Josephus Gilissen. It developed over more than a century from an independent Dutch banking business into a private-bank and wealth-management institution connected to several major European financial groups. The bank remained independent until 1962, when it was converted into a corporation. In 1967, it joined Bank Mees and Hope. That organization later became associated with MeesPierson and was ultimately owned by ABN AMRO. Theodoor Gilissen therefore entered a larger banking structure while retaining its identity in the Dutch private-banking market. A second ownership transition occurred in 1997. ABN AMRO sold MeesPierson to Fortis, and Theodoor Gilissen was part of the transaction. Fortis subsequently sold the bank in 2003 to KBL European Private Bankers, a Luxembourg-based group specializing in private banking. KBL European Private Bankers later became known as Quintet Private Bank. In 2011, KBC sold KBL European Private Bankers, including Theodoor Gilissen, to Precision Capital, a Luxembourg entity representing private investors from Qatar. The sale formed part of KBC's broader divestment of its European private-banking operations. KBC had faced restructuring pressure after the financial crisis and had received a €3.5 billion capital injection from the Belgian state in 2008. The reported value of the 2011 KBL transaction exceeded €1 billion. The bank's operating model centered on asset management, portfolio advice for wealthy individuals and services for independent asset managers. Its Dutch branch network included The Hague, Amsterdam, Enschede, Groningen, Rotterdam and Eindhoven. These activities placed the institution in the specialized private-banking segment rather than in mass-market retail banking. The final stage of the brand's history was a consolidation with Insinger de Beaufort. In April 2016, KBL European Private Bankers and BNP Paribas Wealth Management concluded an agreement concerning the acquisition of Insinger de Beaufort. In May 2016, the intended merger of Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers and Insinger de Beaufort was announced. The combination was completed in 2017 under the name Insinger Gilissen. Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers then ceased to exist as a separate bank, although its heritage continued within the combined private-banking organization.
- 2017
Merged into Insinger Gilissen
[1]The bank was merged with Insinger de Beaufort, creating Insinger Gilissen and ending the standalone brand.
- 2016
Merger agreement with Insinger de Beaufort announced
[1]The planned combination of Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers and Insinger de Beaufort was announced.
- 2011
Acquired by Precision Capital
[1]Precision Capital acquired KBL European Private Bankers, including Theodoor Gilissen, from KBC.
- 2003
Transferred to KBL European Private Bankers
[1]Fortis sold the bank to KBL European Private Bankers.
- 1997
Transferred to Fortis
[1]Theodoor Gilissen was included when Fortis acquired MeesPierson from ABN AMRO.
- 1967
Joined Bank Mees and Hope
[1]The bank became part of Bank Mees and Hope, beginning a long period within larger banking groups.
- 1962
Conversion into a corporation
[1]After operating independently for decades, the bank was converted into a corporation.
- 1881
Bank founded
[1]Theodorus Antonius Josephus Gilissen founded Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers on 1 February in the Netherlands.
Products and positioning
A Dutch private-bank and wealth-management institution focused on affluent clients, investment portfolios and professional support for independent asset managers.
Wealth management
Asset management
The bank's core business included managing investment assets for private clients and other wealth-management customers. This offering placed emphasis on the administration and investment of portfolios rather than on broad consumer banking. The available reference material identifies asset management as one of the institution's principal areas of activity, but does not provide detailed information about specific mandates, funds or investment strategies.
Private banking
Portfolio advisory services
Theodoor Gilissen provided portfolio advice to wealthy individuals. The service was part of its private-bank proposition and supported clients with investment-related decision-making. The reference material does not specify individual products, pricing structures or portfolio methodologies, so this entry describes the documented service category rather than a particular named offering.
Financial services infrastructure
Services for independent asset managers
The bank served independent asset managers with banking and related professional services. This business line complemented its direct private-banking activities by supporting external investment professionals. The available source confirms the customer group and general purpose of the offering but does not enumerate the precise custody, execution, reporting or operational services that were provided.
Brand decisions
2017
Completion of merger into Insinger GilissenM&ABackground
Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers and Insinger de Beaufort had announced a combination after the 2016 acquisition agreement.
Action taken
The two institutions merged to form Insinger Gilissen.
Aftermath
Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers ceased to exist as a standalone bank and brand.
2016
Planned combination with Insinger de BeaufortM&ABackground
KBL European Private Bankers and BNP Paribas Wealth Management reached an agreement concerning the acquisition of Insinger de Beaufort. The transaction created the basis for combining two Dutch private-banking businesses.
Action taken
Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers and Insinger de Beaufort announced their intended merger.
Aftermath
The combination was completed in 2017 under the Insinger Gilissen name, ending Theodoor Gilissen's operation as an independent bank.
2011
Sale of KBL European Private Bankers to Precision CapitalM&ABackground
KBC was divesting its European private-banking arm, which included Theodoor Gilissen Bankiers. The divestment followed restructuring pressure connected with KBC's financial-crisis response and European regulatory requirements.
Action taken
KBC sold KBL European Private Bankers to Precision Capital, a Luxembourg entity representing private investors from Qatar.
Aftermath
Theodoor Gilissen continued under a new ownership structure. The reported transaction value for KBL European Private Bankers was more than €1 billion.
Reported transaction value. More than €1 billion (2011 transaction)
Sources1 sources
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