Positions and press releases

June 26, 2020 | Basel & Zurich

Sustainable finance firmly embedded in the Swiss financial sector

The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), the Swiss Funds & Asset Management Association (SFAMA), the Swiss Insurance Association (SIA) and Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) support the Federal Council’s position on creating optimal framework conditions for a sustainable and more competitive Swiss financial centre. The financial sector welcomes the Federal Council’s report and guidelines on sustainability in the financial sector, and shares its objective of positioning Switzerland as a leading sustainable financial market. Own initiatives undertaken by the sector and competitive framework conditions are key to successfully achieving this goal. The Federal Council is analysing possible measures in the areas of transparency, reporting and the pricing of risks. The financial sector supports the Swiss federal government’s approach to focus on a supporting role in this area. Commensurability, effectiveness and where appropriate, international compatibility must be taken into account as part of these efforts.

June 04, 2020 | Basel

Sustainable finance – Switzerland on course to become a premier international hub

The Swiss financial centre is a pioneer of sustainable finance and is on course to become a prem-ier international hub in this field. The SBA supports this initiative and has made sustainable finance a top priority. The SBA promotes an optimum combination of the industry's own initiatives and competitive framework conditions. One concrete initiative is the new set of SBA guidelines on the integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into the investment advisory process. In its latest brochure, "Sustainable finance in Switzerland: from pioneer to premier international hub", the SBA highlights ten of the industry's own initiatives and identifies ten action areas for improving the framework conditions. The key focus is on market-led approaches.

March 25, 2020 | Basel

Coronavirus: federal government and banks launch SME loan programme. Rapid support for Swiss economy

The programme announced by the Federal Council to grant loans with joint and several guarantees for small and medium-sized enterprises takes effect as of 26 March 2020. Companies can apply to their bank for a loan from this date. The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) informed all banks in Switzerland in advance, and many of those that operate a lending business have signed up to the programme. Further banks will follow in the next few days.

March 20, 2020 | Basel

Coronavirus: Bundesrat und Banken lancieren Garantieprogramm - KMU erhalten rasch Überbrückungskredite

Gemeinsam mit verschiedenen Banken und der Schweizerischen Bankiervereinigung (SBVg) haben die Behörden ein Garantieprogramm mit Überbrückungskrediten für Unternehmen mit Liquiditätsengpässen entwickelt. Die SBVg begrüsst das Garantieprogramm als Public-Private-Partnership-Lösung ausdrücklich. Mit dem Programm erhalten Unternehmen, die aufgrund der Corona-Situation in finanzielle Engpässe geraten sind, rasch und unkompliziert Unterstützung in Form von verbürgten Überbrückungskrediten. Die SBVg informiert alle Banken in der Schweiz und stellt die Koordination mit den Instituten sicher, damit das Garantieprogramm effizient genutzt wird und breit wirken kann.

October 28, 2019 | Basel

Oliver Buschan appointed to Executive Board of SBA

Oliver Buschan has been appointed Head of Retail Banking & Capital Markets and Member of the Executive Board of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA). He will assume these roles in February 2020. With over 20 years of experience at various banks and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), Oliver Buschan has comprehensive knowledge of the banking business and financial market regulation.

October 24, 2019 | Basel

Little impact and structurally problematic - SBA study on the consequences of negative interest rates

Negative interest rates have been in place in Switzerland for almost five years. The measure introduced by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) at the end of 2014 was justifiable for a number of reasons. Since then, the once successful emergency measure has become the “new normal”. In a study, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) has analysed the effects and consequences of negative interest rates. While it does not question the independence of the Swiss National Bank and its monetary policy, the SBA is convinced that a public discourse on the macroeconomic consequences of negative interest rates is required and that the way should be paved for an exit from crisis mode.

September 19, 2019 | Basel

Sustainable finance: harnessing synergies for optimal framework conditions - Collaboration between SBA and SSF

The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and Swiss Sustainable Finance (SSF) have been in regular dialogue for a number of years. In the future, they will work even more closely together in the area of sustainable finance. The two organisations resolved to do so at the end of July 2019. A frequent dialogue on suitable framework conditions is to ensure that practical and effective measures are developed and implemented.

September 12, 2019 | Basel

Bankers Day 2019 - Networking with a vision

This year’s Bankers Day is being held under the motto “Networking with a vision”. In the view of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), a forward-looking approach and results-oriented collaboration are essential for the success of Switzerland as an open economy, for the success of our financial centre and for the Bankers Association as the key point of contact for the government and the authorities.

August 29, 2019 | Basel

Banking Barometer 2019 - Banks in Switzerland defy challenging environment

The banks in Switzerland are operating in a challenging business environment: uncertainties relating to economic policy, restrictions to market access and the dynamic transformation of market structures are impacting the framework conditions for these institutions. In light of lower margins and the ongoing digitalisation of the financial sector, it can be expected that the structural realignment in the banking sector will continue in the coming years. However, despite the uncertain environment, the adjustment process and the economic challenges, the banks developed very solidly in 2018. The banks’ aggregate operating net income rose by 4.6 percent to CHF 65.3 bn in 2018. Compared to the previous year, the aggregate annual profit of the 248 banks operating in Switzerland rose by 17.3 percent to CHF 11.5 bn. Assets under management decreased by 4.8 percent to CHF 6,943 bn.

August 28, 2019 | Basel

SBA amends self-regulation in the residential investment property segment - FINMA recognises revised self- regulation

The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) has amended the self-regulation in the mortgage financing for residential investment properties segment. The sector is thereby making a swift and expedient contribution to further ensuring market stability in the residential investment property segment, and thus an important contribution to the continued stability of the financial centre. FINMA recog-nised the revised self-regulation as a minimum regulatory standard in a letter dated 26 August 2019. Following an intensive dialogue between the sector and the authorities, a convincing joint solution was found. The amended self-regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2020. The SBA assumes that the Federal Council, as previously announced, will give precedence to the self-regulation and will forego a tightening of the Swiss Capital Adequacy Ordinance in the area of residential investment properties.

May 22, 2019 | Basel

Very positive attitude towards banks - 2019 survey about the banks in Switzerland

The majority of respondents has a positive perception of Swiss banks and they are considered reliable, secure and an important employer. The banks’ positive image is the result of a combination of their commercial success and social responsibility, and the respondents’ positive experiences with them in everyday life. In addition to examining the perception of the reputation of Swiss banks and opinions about the financial centre, the 2019 survey also focused on the topic of pensions. In 2019, the survey was for the first time conducted by the research institute gfs.bern. The survey questions, methodology and statistical evaluation process were updated on this occasion.

March 28, 2019 | Basel

Shaping the future with sovereignty: Swiss Bankers Association supports the institutional agreement with the EU

The banking sector has a keen interest in continuing the successful bilateral approach with the EU. As a major export industry, the banks are reliant on market access. At present, however, the banks have only limited access to the EU market. The SBA therefore supports the conclusion of the InstA. An institutional arrangement with the EU, such as the agreement under discussion, is a decisive step towards securing existing market access, as it brings dependable processes and improved legal certainty. At the same time, the InstA creates the basis on which concrete, practicable market access solutions can be developed. The SBA very much welcomes the agreement as a whole. From the point of view of the banking sector, however, there are still certain points that need to be clarified upon signing.

March 26, 2019 | Basel

Secure cloud banking: SBA guidelines pave way towards future

Swiss banks are very interested in the subject of cloud computing, but they have so far been reluctant to migrate their data to the cloud. This is because certain questions regarding the legal and regulatory frameworks remain unanswered. The SBA has therefore worked with member institutions, audit firms and cloud providers to draw up a set of guidelines containing recommendations intended to make it easier to move to the cloud. The guidelines, together with a video explaining cloud banking, are being published on 26 March 2019.

March 20, 2019 | Basel

Current developments in the residential investment property market - SBA considering amendments to self-regulation

The authorities have expressed a need for action in the residential investment property segment. This is due to their market analyses, their supervisory activities and lastly on the basis of a stress test. The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) is closely collaborating with the authorities in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the analysis. If the conclusion reached by the SBA is the same as that of the authorities, the SBA will consider making amendments to its self-regulation for the mortgage market.

March 19, 2019 | Basel

Change of leadership at Swiss Bankers Association - Jörg Gasser becomes new CEO of the SBVg

The Board of Directors of the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) unanimously elected Jörg Gasser (49) as the association’s new CEO at its meeting today. Claude-Alain Margelisch (55), who has been with the SBA for over 25 years and served as its CEO for nine of them, wishes to pursue a change of career involving high-level mandates in both the private and public sectors and will therefore leave the association during the second half of this year.

December 06, 2018 | Basel

Switzerland - a global investment management hub

Investment management, in other words the management of investments for institutional and private clients, has established itself as a cornerstone and competitive advantage of the Swiss financial centre. Assets totalling CHF 3.4 trillion were managed under investment management mandates in Switzerland in 2017, around one-third of which for foreign clients. As a new study by the SBA and BCG shows, the Swiss investment management hub is unique and a key export industry of the Swiss financial centre.

November 30, 2018 | Basel

Protection of the Swiss stock exchange infrastructure: SBA supports Federal Council’s measure

Starting on 1 January 2019, a recognition obligation will be in place for foreign trading venues that wish to admit Swiss shares to trading. In the event that stock exchange equivalence expires, the EU trading venues will be denied this recognition on the grounds of the resulting discrimination against the Swiss stock exchanges.

September 21, 2018 | Basel

Opening corporate accounts for blockchain companies - Swiss Bankers Association publishes guidelines for its members

The number of blockchain companies in Switzerland has risen sharply. The SBA welcomes this trend and takes a positive view of the high market momentum, as it boosts Switzerland’s attractiveness as a financial centre. Banks see blockchain technology as an opportunity opening up an array of possibilities for the country as a financial and technology location. Within the context of its priorities, the SBA promotes and supports an innovation-friendly environment in the digitalisation arena. This also includes promoting conditions that support the sustainable growth of companies involved in blockchain technology.

September 13, 2018 | Basel

Bankers Day 2018: Shaping the future, creating scope for development

This year’s Bankers Day was held under the motto “Shaping the future, creating scope for development”. New financial technologies offer a broad range of opportunities and advantages for banks and customers. The banks are expanding their service offerings and are adjusting to rapidly transforming customer needs. As part of this process, the financial centre is combining its strengths such as quality, reliability and stability with innovative solutions.

September 11, 2018 | Basel

Scope for entrepreneurial freedom and open markets

At its annual media conference, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) provided information about the current status of its key dossiers. The Swiss financial centre is stable and transparent at the international level. Looking to the future, focus must be placed on creating scope for entrepreneurial freedom and on open markets. Bankers Day 2018, the annual general meeting of the Bankers Association, will be held in Geneva on 13 September 2018 under the motto: “Shaping the future, creating scope for development”.

August 30, 2018 | Basel

Banking Barometer 2018: Growth despite ongoing challenges

The challenges in the banking sector persisted in 2017. The continuous rise in regulatory costs, the sustained period of negative interest rates as well as the political and legal uncertainties in the wake of Brexit and international trade tensions are characteristic of the current environment. However, the Swiss banks are back on the growth track. The aggregate annual profit of the 253 banks rose to CHF 9.8 bn, increasing by 24 percent compared to the previous year. Assets under management reached CHF 7,292 bn – a new record since the financial crisis.

June 15, 2018 | Basel

FinSA and FinIA establish modern customer protection

In its final vote, Parliament today approved the FinSA and FinIA draft legislations. In the lead-up to this outcome, the Swiss Bankers Association, together with other financial centre stakeholders advocated for modern and practicable investor protection. Today’s final vote marks and end to a major legislative project that has resulted in the modernisation of Swiss financial market law.

June 10, 2018 | Basel

SBA welcomes clear rejection of Sovereign Money Initiative

The Swiss electorate has clearly rejected a radical alteration of the monetary system. The existing monetary and financial system functions well and is stable. The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) welcomes the decision of the people and the cantons. With this decision, Switzerland is sending a clear signal of its confidence in the Swiss banking and monetary system. Companies and private individuals will thus continue to benefit from flexible loans, mortgages in line with the market and attractive account-related services.

March 05, 2018 | Basel

Äquivalenzanerkennung ist für den Finanzplatz prioritär

Die Banken brauchen einen verlässlichen Zugang zum europäischen Markt. Die SBVg erwartet, dass in den Äquivalenzverfahren rasch Fortschritte erzielt werden.

January 23, 2018 | Basel

PWMA and SBA Sign MoU: Closer Collaboration to Develop the Private Wealth Management industry

Collaboration and idea exchanges between Hong Kong and Switzerland on the development of the private wealth management industry and other related issues of mutual interest will be strengthened following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Private Wealth Management Association (PWMA) and the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) today in Bern, Switzerland.

December 07, 2017

Statement from the SBA regarding “Finalising Basel III”

November 29, 2017 | Basel

The financial sector is an important pillar for the economy

The financial sector remains one of the key sectors of the Swiss economy, even in a challenging environment, due to its direct and indirect impact. This fact is clearly shown by a study on banks and insurers in Switzerland conducted by Polynomics for the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) and Swiss Insurance Association (SIA). Despite decreasing value creation, the financial sector accounts for around 9.4 percent of the total Swiss gross value creation, which is above average compared with other countries. The financial experts polled by Polynomics as part of a consensus are cautiously optimistic about the growth forecast in the financial sector.

September 14, 2017 | Basel

Bankers Day 2017: Remaining at the top

This year’s Annual General Meeting of the banks in Switzerland is being held under the motto “Remaining at the top”. The banks are highly competitive. They differentiate themselves through innovation, professionalism and quality. But they must have framework conditions that allow them to successfully develop their business strategies. The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) is successfully contributing to the establishment of the best-possible framework conditions for its members.

August 31, 2017 | Basel

Banking Barometer 2017: Stability despite unfavourable environment

2016 was once again a difficult year for the banks in Switzerland. Regulatory requirements and the rising intensity of competition continued to put pressure on the banks’ margins. The low interest rate environment also posed challenges for the banks. Notwithstanding, most banks reported a profit last year, which amounted to CHF 7.9 bn (2015: CHF 15.8 bn, one-off effect resulting from high extraordinary income generated by a big bank). Aggregate operating net income was CHF 62.5 bn (-3.2%), which is slightly below the previous year, and therefore marks the first decline since 2012. The banks continue to consistently fulfil their role as an engine of the economy. The successful future of the banks depends on good framework conditions that increase the international competitiveness of the Swiss financial centre.

June 27, 2017 | Basel

Sovereign Money Initiative: Study shows repercussions for Switzerland

The study presented today by Philippe Bacchetta, a professor of economics, entitled “The Sovereign Money Initiative in Switzerland: An Assessment”, is the first and only analysis to date that examines the consequences of the introduction of a sovereign money system for bank clients, commercial banks, the central bank and the nation. The study shows that the initiative ignores the prevailing economic understanding and that if sovereign money were to be implemented, it would have significant negative implications for the Swiss economy. The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) firmly rejects the Sovereign Money Initiative, as it would be an irresponsible experiment with what is an efficient economy.