AMINA Bank Appoints Michael Benz to Lead APAC Expansion with $40.4mln Revenue Growth

AMINA Bank has appointed Michael Benz to lead its Hong Kong office and oversee growth across the Asia-Pacific region. Benz has over three decades of experience in senior leadership roles, including Global Head of Private Banking at Standard Chartered and CEO of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Asia. He will report directly to Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank. The bank recorded 69% revenue growth in 2024, reaching $40.4 million, and aims to build on this momentum in Asia.

AMINA Bank AG, a Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)-regulated crypto bank, has appointed Michael Benz as Head of AMINA Hong Kong and the wider Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This strategic move follows the bank's record-breaking 2024 performance, with revenue growth of 69% to reach $40.4 million [1].

Michael Benz brings over three decades of senior leadership experience, including roles as Global Head of Private Banking at Standard Chartered, CEO of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Asia, and Head of Product & Services at UBS Wealth Management APAC. He will report directly to Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank.

The appointment positions AMINA to capitalize on Hong Kong's evolving regulatory framework and accelerating institutional adoption across the region. Hong Kong's regulatory environment has reached new levels of maturity with the Securities and Futures Commission’s ASPIRe roadmap rollout, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s stablecoin licensing framework, and the government’s Digital Asset Policy 2.0 initiative [2].

Michael Benz's expertise in both traditional finance and crypto makes him the ideal leader to continue AMINA's expansion across Asia. His deep market knowledge and commitment to client needs will help the bank deliver comprehensive, regulated crypto services to sophisticated clients in the region.

"Michael’s expertise in both traditional finance and crypto makes him the ideal leader to continue our expansion across Asia. His exceptional network and deep understanding of client needs will allow us to continue evolving our crypto products and capabilities," said Franz Bergmueller, CEO of AMINA Bank.

Enhanced technology platforms launching in H2 2025 and new strategic partnerships in Hong Kong will further strengthen AMINA’s position as the essential infrastructure for institutional crypto adoption.

References:
[1] https://ffnews.com/newsarticle/hiring/amina-bank-taps-banking-leader-michael-benz-to-lead-apac-expansion/
[2] https://www.cryptonewsz.com/futu-securities-brings-solana-to-hong-kong/