***
Their meeting at the bank was a very formal affair, as Robin had expected. They had returned to their hotel in time to change into smart 'business' clothes, and arrived some minutes before they were due.
They were taken to a reception room on the second floor, and asked to wait. They refused an offer of coffee. In a few moments, a secretary arrived to take them to the office of Monsieur Gilbert, the manager with whom they had arranged their appointment. He was a tall, elegant man, in a well-cut suit complete with waistcoat and gold watch chain. After they had introduced themselves, and refused another offer of coffee, Robin and Marian sat in front of a large, polished oak desk in the man's spacious office, decorated with portraits and framed certificates.
"I gather you wish to open an account here," he began.
"Quite correct," replied Robin.
"May I enquire why here, and not in England?" he asked politely.
"Two reasons," explained Robin. "First of all because of your world famous reputation for providing banking services of the highest quality and with the utmost secrecy, and secondly because of Switzerland's much envied reputation for neutrality."
"And why should that be important to you?" asked the manager.
"Perhaps I can explain that best by explaining exactly what it is we seek to achieve," said Robin. "You will have read, no doubt, about the plight of some 4,000 or so white farmers in Zimbabwe, who have been evicted from their farms, often violently, and left without any compensation, to start a new life for themselves."
The man nodded.
"There has been considerable international criticism of the Zimbabwean authorities for having adopted such a policy, as I'm sure you will also be aware."
Again, the man nodded.
"To cut a long story short," said Robin, "most of the victims of that policy will shortly receive compensation after all. For reasons that will be obvious, the authorities in Zimbabwe are keen to avoid the publicity that would otherwise surround the making of such a u-turn, and are therefore using third parties to put the plan into operation. This is where I seek your help. I wish the compensation to flow through this bank."
Monsieur Gilbert was clearly taken aback, and looked closely at Robin for what seemed ages. For a moment, Marian thought that their scheme was about to founder. Eventually, he asked, "Are you suggesting that you wish to open up to 4,000 accounts here, one for each of the farmers involved?"
"I hope that will not be necessary," replied Robin. "There is an organisation based in Bulawayo called Justice for Farmers and my hope is that we shall be able to channel payments to individuals through that organisation, since it is in contact with many of the disposed farmers. However, I have yet to approach them, and they therefore know nothing of the compensation plans at this stage."
"And how will money be paid into this account, should it be agreed that we can offer you our services?"
"It will be paid in from several different sources," replied Robin, "rather than from the Treasury through the Federal Reserve Bank, again for obvious reasons relating to the need for secrecy."
"And for the same reason, the settlements cannot be paid direct to the organisation you have named?"
"Precisely," agreed Robin. "They must pass through a third party to maintain the anonymity of their source."
Once again, Monsieur Gilbert sat back in his swivel chair and looked intently, first at Robin and then at Marian.
"If we should agree to take part in this venture," he eventually asked, "would you be the principal with whom we dealt?"
"Yes, I would," said Robin. "Initially, at least. Let me say that I am aware of the fact that banks in this country will not normally deal with third parties, and that only Swiss attorneys may open an account on behalf of another person. I am also aware of your natural reservations about dealing with foreign nationals, in your efforts to avoid being caught up in money laundering operations. However, I hope in this case, having explained the circumstances and in view of the fact that you will be dealing with me and no-one else, that these strict and understandable rules will not apply."
The man looked at the notes he had been taking during their meeting.
"It is also normally the case that accounts will only be opened for clients who are sufficiently well known to us for us to be certain that the funds being deposited are not coming from illegal activities," explained M. Gilbert. "Indeed, it is requirement in law."
"I am aware of the fact," responded Robin, "and for that reason I have brought with me letters of introduction and references." He handed them across the desk.
"That is thoughtful of you, monsieur," said the manager. "Would you wish the account to be opened in your name, Mr. Hood?" he asked. "Should we agree, of course," he added.
"I would wish for the account to be numbered, for obvious reasons, as I would prefer that the normal account records omit reference to my name or any other identifying information," replied Robin. "I understand, however, that my identity will be known to yourself and your secretary and to a limited number of other senior staff within the bank. As I have said before, it will be me and only me with whom you will deal in relation to the account. I shall personally arrange for all deposits to be made, and authorise any payments from the account. It would be helpful, since I am not resident in Montreux, to have email access, subject to the usual encryption and codeword arrangements being in place."
M. Gilbert again looked at his notes.
"In the event that this organisation, Justice for Farmers', is unable or unwilling to act on behalf of the farmers involved in this exercise, how would you propose to operate the account," he asked.
"Once all the money has been deposited that can be made available," replied Robin, "I would envisage a lump sum payment being made to the individuals identified, and an annuity fund being set up which would then pay each of them a regular income. I would hope that your bank would also be able to manage that and to take care of the investment portfolio."
"In view of the circumstances," commented the bank manager, "what you have just proposed may well be the best solution in any case, rather than pass the responsibility to another organisation which is based in Zimbabwe. We would certainly be able to set up the fund you suggested, and if we can be provided with the names and addresses of the beneficiaries, make regular payments to them from here."
"Justice for Farmers should be able to provide that, but I thought you were averse to opening 4,000 separate accounts," said Robin.
"So I would be," replied M. Gilbert. "But in this case, we would only have to operate one account plus an annuity fund, from which 4000 regular payments would be made."
"And for which you would make hefty charges, no doubt," countered Robin.
"Not necessarily," replied the man, "although that would obviously be a matter of negotiation."
"Are you saying that you are prepared to open an account along the lines I have suggested?" asked Robin.
"From what you have said, and bearing in mind on whose behalf you will be acting, I am prepared to recommend that to my Board," replied Monsieur Gilbert. "Let me ask you one final question," he added, leaning forward.
"Please do," replied Robin.
"It is normal practice to require a large minimum deposit when opening accounts for non-residents," he said. "Perhaps as much as 5,000 Swiss francs. In view of the complexity of the account you seek, however, this may not be sufficient. Had you any sum in mind as an opening deposit, Mr. Hood?"
"I could deposit ?1 million sterling tomorrow," replied Robin.
Monsieur Gilbert sat back in his chair, looking hard at both Marian and Robin.
"I am sure that will be more than adequate," he said eventually, with a grin. "Can you tell me the final balance we might expect?"
"Not at this stage, I'm afraid," replied Robin. "But I can tell you that money will be deposited in varying amounts over what I hope will be a short period of time, and should be held here until we are ready to start making payments."<
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"Quite so," replied M. Gilbert. "I shall recommend acceptance of your proposals to my Board, and I anticipate no difficulty whatsoever."
"And how long shall I have to wait for a decision?" asked Robin.
"I will put forward the proposal by email to each of them when you leave, and would anticipate a decision by close of play today," he replied.
"Excellent," replied Robin. "In that case I should tell you that I may well need to move some ?750,000 out of the account within a day or so. I have other business to conduct while I am here. However, soon after that I will be able to return some ?250,000, leaving you with a total initial deposit of half a million pounds."
"That will be quite satisfactory," said the manager. "Thank you for telling me. Now, if I may suggest it, perhaps we should have a glass of champagne to mark the occasion."
"That would be very nice indeed," said Marian, speaking for the first time.
"And I can assure you, young lady," said M. Gilbert, pressing the intercom to summon his secretary and a bottle, "that it will not be made in this country, but will be the real thing, from across the other side of the lake, in France."
For the first time, Robin felt relaxed, and the formal atmosphere melted away as the cork popped.
"Here's to a long and happy relationship," proposed Monsieur Gilbert, raising his glass. "You must tell me of course, before you leave, how I can get hold of you to give you my Board's formal decision."
"Let me give you my card," said Robin, handing over one of a few he had specially printed before leaving Oxford. "It has my mobile phone number on it, and my email address. The residential address in Surrey is my parents' home. While I am here in Montreux, we can be contacted at the Royal Plaza."
"How long will you be here on business?" enquired M. Gilbert.
"Five days or so," replied Robin.
"And where then?"
"Back to Africa, probably," replied Marian.
"Ah, yes," nodded the bank manager. "You obviously have more business to do there."