Insights

On 22 October 2025, the Federal Council opened the consultation procedure on an amendment to the Financial Institutions Act (FinIA). The plan is to introduce two new licence categories – payment institutions and crypto institutions – with the objective of enhancing the attractiveness of Switzerland as an economic and financial centre and improving the integration of innovative financial technologies into the existing financial system. In the context of the proposed FinIA amendments, other financial market laws (FinSA, AMLA, FINMASA, FinMIA) are also to be amended.

The Federal Tax Administration (FTA) publishes the recognized interest rates for the tax assessment of advances and loans in Swiss francs and foreign currencies on an annual basis.

GTRegs is a regulatory monitoring tool for the Swiss financial market. It supports board members, executives, risk and compliance officers at regulated financial institutions in systematically classifying regulatory developments.

In March 2024, we launched our matchmaking platform for asset managers. It was developed with the aim of giving asset managers free access to Grant Thornton's extensive network and thus providing them with targeted support in their search for suitable partnerships. Almost two years have passed since then, making this an ideal time to give you an insight into the status and the latest developments.

On December 16, 2025, FINMA opened the consultation on an amendment to FINMA Circular 2016/7 "Video and online identification." The aim is to adapt the existing regulations to technological developments and new legal requirements. In particular, the Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services ("e-ID Act"), which is expected to come into force in mid-2026, will be taken into account. The changes are relevant for all financial service providers who identify new customers electronically.

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.