Acquisition, administration and management of participations in all real estate, commercial, financial, industrial or other companies, in Switzerland and abroad; the company may acquire properties and open branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad, as well as carry out, either on its own account or on behalf of third parties, all commercial, financial, securities and real estate transactions directly or indirectly related to its purpose or likely to facilitate its realization; the company may in particular contract debts and grant loans or create pledges in favor of any person, including its shareholders, or any banking institution.