1855
The history of San Francisco and San Mateo is indelibly etched with the name Borel. Indeed, the roots of that history date back to December 1861 when Antoine Borel, 21 years old, arrived in San Francisco from his native Switzerland. He had come to join his brother Alfred in the small commission merchant firm of Alfred Borel & Company founded in 1855.

1861
Antoine joined his brother's firm as a clerk, becoming well schooled as a merchant-banker. Antoine demonstrated business acumen far beyond his years and proved to be a man of exceptional financial ability and vision. Thus, when Alfred decided to return to Switzerland to live, he knew the destiny of the Company was in good hands. Under Antoine's guidance, the Company prospered as it diversified its financial activities and entered the banking business. The rest, as they say, is history. In an era marked by numerous bank failures and widespread financial instability, A. Borel & Company acquired a reputation for solid banking practices. Antoine Borel achieved a position of high regard and continuous respect throughout the San Francisco banking community. Borel had many interests aside from business ventures. In 1861 he was named vice-consul for Switzerland for Northern California and Nevada.

1885
In 1885 he served as consul general of Switzerland and facilitated financial affairs between the two countries until 1913. Antoine relaxed from the hectic pace of the business world by spending time with his family at their beautiful estate in San Mateo. Today, there are still San Mateans who remember the luxurious gardens, fountains, bridges, and paths of the Borel estate. They also remember his generosity to the City. Borel was a generous man who shunned publicity. In 1885 he gave land to the City of San Mateo to be used for a library. However, the land was actually used for the old San Mateo City Hall, located on Ellsworth Avenue between Second and Baldwin Avenues.

1915
Antoine Borel died in 1915 but his legacy to the community continues. The Borel Private Bank & Trust Company today occupies quarters on the old estate. Again, the name Borel serves the banking needs of the community just as A. Borel & Company did for its community over a century ago.