 In 1926, Gottfried took Italian nationality and returned to Trieste to become Director of the Diodato Tripcovich and Co. Trieste Shipping-Company, which he took over from his father-in-law.Trieste Company ships then sailed under the Italian flag.Banfield became a celebrity of the city, usually called "Our Baron", "Il nostro Barone", even winning a local tennis championship in 1927.