Insights

A little over two years after the revised data protection legislation came into force, and with a wealth of implementation experience under our belts, most people are now much more aware of the complexity of the subject matter. This article highlights areas where the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) has identified a need for action in the course of its supervisory activities, the data protection risks that can be gleaned from the recently published FINMA Risk Monitor 2025, and the challenges this poses for financial institutions. It then briefly discusses data protection aspects of the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

In May 2024, we reported on the planned EU anti-money laundering package, consisting of a directive and three regulations. The aim is to harmonise and strengthen EU anti-money laundering regulations. Where do we stand today, approximately a year and a half after it came into force? Which regulations are already in place, and what can member states and financial institutions expect in the future? Below is a concise overview of the current status and timetable for the AML package.

Qualified participants, managing directors or board members of banks and other financial institutions that are licensed and supervised by FINMA will remember the forms with the inconspicuous designations B1, B2 and B3.

On 1 January 2026, Egon Hutter will take over the role of CEO from Erich Bucher, who is leaving the company for retirement.

Warum die gesetzliche Prüfpflicht für Scale-ups mehr ist als eine Formalität.

Circular No. 32a of the Federal Tax Administration (FTA), published on January 20, 2025, deals with the tax treatment of restructuring measures for corporations and cooperatives.

Unpredictable events or legal violations can suddenly plunge companies and their managers into a crisis situation.

In today’s digital world, cyber resilience is critical for all organisations, regardless of size.

Digitalisation and the increasing networking of business processes make companies more vulnerable today than ever before.

After years of negotiations, Switzerland and the United States of America (USA) signed a new FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) Agreement on 27 June 2024.

In the "Finance Forum Zürich" special edition of the Handelszeitung of 26 June 2025, Fabian Schmid, Head of Regulatory & Compliance Financial Services, analyzes current developments in the Swiss financial market. He explains why Switzerland is well positioned from a regulatory perspective yet still faces important reform needs.

As part of the review of the Credit Suisse crisis, on 6 June 2025 the Federal Council set out the key parameters for comprehensive amendments to laws and ordinances aimed at further developing the existing regulatory and supervisory system in a targeted manner. The aim is to strengthen the financial centre and significantly reduce the risks for the government, taxpayers and the economy as a whole in the event of future crises.

Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (Grant Thornton Advisors) today announced agreements to expand the multinational platform it formed in January with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform will now include Grant Thornton Switzerland/Liechtenstein and Grant Thornton in the Channel Islands (known as Grant Thornton Limited, Channel Islands).

SAP transformations can be complex, risky and often present unexpected challenges for organisations. A lack of strategy, limited resources, dependence on implementation partners and unclear architecture decisions often lead to delays and risks.

Sanction and embargo regulations have gained massive relevance in recent years – both from a regulatory and operational perspective. Global crises, secondary sanction risks and geopolitically motivated restrictions are increasingly affecting Swiss financial intermediaries. While the legal situation is continuously evolving, regulatory authorities are raising their expectations for active management of sanction-related risks.

The FINMA circular on conduct obligations under the Financial Services Act (FinSA) came into force on 1 January 2025, in some cases with a transitional period until 30 June 2025. There is room for interpretation and uncertainty regarding the implementation of many of the provisions of the new circular. We summarise the most important challenges.