30 years of Topsy
The piggy banks over the years
Did you also have one of these piggy banks as a kid?
For 30 years, children have started saving with Topsy, our clever little fox. Throughout this time, they鈥檝e been able to deposit their savings at the bank with the help of an adult. Our program for kids has proved its worth because children still save with Topsy today.
What piggy bank did you or your child have? Let鈥檚 take you on a journey through 30 years of savings history:
Topsy first brought a sparkle to children鈥檚 eyes on 5 June 1989, when the Swiss Bank Corporation (SBC) launched their children鈥檚 program. A total of 10,000 cuddly toys each measuring 17 cm were produced and distributed, with a taller version (35 cm) being available for purchase at every branch for 20 Swiss francs, and coming with the following piggy bank:
But those who opened their first bank account with the Swiss Bank Corporation (SBC) back in the 80s and 90s won鈥檛 remember the fox. The creature (shown below) that helped children save is still considered a design icon today.
Esmeralda the owl and her son Sebastian were made from wood and first produced in 1987 by a Swiss manufacturer in Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland.
Following the merger of SBG and SBV in 1998, the decision was made to continue with the children鈥檚 program, but which mascot did they choose? An owl or a fox?
Report: 30 years of Topsy
In our major report for Topsy鈥檚 birthday, Daniela Capaul-Zoppi, then a manager in the project team, explains why Topsy was chosen over Esmeralda.
Topsy was finally chosen over the owl and also given a new look, this time with shiny red fur to match the 麻豆社 colors.
The little mascot was based on the SBC fox, but Esmeralda the owl and her son Sebastian were chosen for the design of the piggy bank, which was also made from wood.
The wooden Topsy was introduced in 1999, but soon after, in 2002, he received another makeover. In the new version, he鈥檚 holding a colorful treasure chest in which he's collected all of his money.
From 2010 onwards, things got more abstract and philosophical: Getting your first bank account lays the financial foundation for your life and so the new piggy bank design reminded the user of this important moment in their lives.
However, it was clear that the 鈥渇oundation stone鈥 look lacked cuteness. The next edition in 2012 therefore went back to Topsy鈥檚 roots and featured a red, fluffy Topsy and a yellow money bag:
A fluffier coat and blue eyes followed in 2018 and now, on his 30th birthday, Topsy still looks fresh and cheerful 鈥 and still not a single gray hair in sight!
