Companies
Künzli CEO Roberto Martullo seeks Bally takeover amid bankruptcy
Swiss shoe maker Künzli's owner proposes buying the distressed Bally brand, its boutiques and production assets as the former luxury footwear group faces insolvency and a CHF 20 million debt pile.
Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank Offer Credit Baskets on French Election Outcome
Banks are marketing AT1 bond baskets and total-return swaps tied to France's April presidential vote, as political risk and a budget deficit above 5% weigh on French credit spreads.
Swiss Board Members Compete at First VR Open Golf Event in Sempach
Nine foursome teams from across Switzerland took part in the inaugural VR Open, a scramble-format networking tournament for corporate board members at Golf Sempach.
Etops Names Christian Lanzendorf Head of IFA for Germany
Swiss wealth-management tech firm appoints veteran with over 30 years' experience to lead its independent-financial-advisor business and join the group executive board.
Swiss Re: AI and energy capex could add $200bn industrial insurance premiums by 2030
Swiss Re Institute says the global capex supercycle in data centers and power infrastructure could generate $200bn in premiums from 2026 to 2030 while increasing risk concentration.
Germany to Deploy Anti‑Sabotage Shield After Failed Drone Attack
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced a package of police, cyber and AI measures to protect airports, transport hubs and critical infrastructure from drone and sabotage threats.
Luxembourg fund law firm Leroy & Goldbach opens Zurich office
The Luxembourg-based advisory firm expands into Switzerland to serve Swiss and Liechtenstein fund managers, citing complementary roles of the two jurisdictions in European asset management.
HSBC trio launches independent wealth advisory boutique in Zurich
Global Strategic Advisory Group opens Zürich office with former HSBC and Credit Suisse bankers Patrick D'Amico, Thomas Schaad and Christian Hiller.
Swiss regional banks' confidence in Finma hits record low, survey shows
Confidence in the Swiss financial regulator plunged to its lowest level since 2015 amid concerns over tighter oversight and regulatory costs, while current business conditions remain robust.
Partners Group faces €6bn refinancing challenge for three portfolio firms
Swiss asset manager Partners Group must refinance roughly €6 billion of debt owed by Emeria, Ammega and Breitling, with maturities in 2027‑28 and loans trading below par.
Swiss banks post record 2025 profits, eye 2026 growth despite staff cuts
Swiss banking sector’s aggregated business success rose 5.8% to CHF 73.8bn in 2025, a record surpassing 2006 levels. Managed assets hit CHF 10.12tn in H1 2026, while headcount fell 2.5% to 92,002 FTEs.
VW’s Blume says half of planned job cuts must be in Germany
Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume told staff that roughly half of up to 50,000 additional global layoffs would occur in Germany as part of a cost-cutting drive. The plan aims to slash €10 billion in overheads amid weak China demand and unused capacity.
UBS ranks Switzerland’s most desirable residential locations
UBS study finds medium-sized Swiss cities outperform large urban centers on cost and livability, with Freiburg, Solothurn and Aarau leading in affordability. Nine of ten regions favor mid-sized towns over metropolises.
VP Bank reports 1.4 bln CHF net new money inflow in H1, eyes Asia expansion
CEO Urs Monstein outlines turnaround progress, with net new money at 1.4 bln CHF in the first half and a focus on cost discipline, Asian growth and potential acquisitions. Cost/income ratio falls to 78.8%.
Swiss changes in September: Gotthard tunnel closures, dog bans and wage hikes
Switzerland implements new regulations including Gotthard tunnel night closures, a dog ban in Schwyz offices, Basel-Stadt wage increases, and revised federal prosecutorial rules. Ebookers halts Swiss bookings.
AIG appoints Allianz’s Anthony Vassallo as global energy head
Vassallo, who spent over two decades at Allianz, will succeed Warren Meigs, who is retiring after 33 years at AIG. The move underscores AIG’s focus on specialty lines.
Helvetia launches mid-tier auto insurance covering total loss after collisions
New 'Totalschadenkasko' policy offers partial coverage plus total-loss protection after self-inflicted crashes at roughly one-third the cost of full collision insurance, Helvetia says. Demand strongest among owners of 10-year-old vehicles priced around 44,000 francs when new.
Kühne’s $42 bln fortune to pass to Swiss foundation after death
The estate of the late logistics magnate Klaus-Michael Kühne will be managed by a Swiss foundation, with Kühne + Nagel as its core holding. Succession questions arise amid sector consolidation.
Swiss canton rejects plan to redistribute BLKB profits to municipalities
Baselland government opposes initiative to divert one-third of Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank earnings to local communities, citing risk exposure and lack of ownership.
Zurich Insurance appoints Liz Padley as Group Treasurer
London-based Barclays executive Liz Padley succeeds Smriti Dahiya at Zurich Insurance, bringing over two decades of banking and capital management experience to the Swiss insurer.
Cham Swiss Properties posts 5% rise in H1 2026 rental income
Swiss real estate firm reports CHF 13.7 million in rental revenue, down from CHF 37.3 million in asset sales a year ago. Six projects worth CHF 172 million underway.
Powerus starts counter-drone production in Gulf region
U.S. firm begins manufacturing Guardian interceptors in GCC as part of partnership with regional defense manufacturer. Merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings expected to close in Q4 2026.
JetBlue to open second BlueHouse lounge in Boston next week
New 12,000 sq ft BlueHouse lounge at Boston Logan International Airport opens Thursday, expanding JetBlue's premium airport hospitality. Complimentary access expands to Mint and Mint Flex fare customers.
German logistics tycoon Klaus-Michael Kuehne dies at 89
Founder of Kuehne + Nagel, one of Germany's wealthiest investors, transformed the company into a global logistics leader before stepping back in 2011.