Regulation
ECB's Vujčić Outlines Case for Simplifying EU Bank Rules to Boost Competitiveness
Speaking in Frankfurt, ECB Vice-President Boris Vujčić urged simpler regulatory frameworks and deeper financial integration to enhance European banking competitiveness.
Swiss Sustainable Finance Sector Navigates Challenging Environment at Zurich Conference
Speakers at the recent SFI and SSF conference in Zurich discussed environmental risks, real estate emissions, and shifting priorities toward climate adaptation and biodiversity.
Finma Restructures UBS Oversight Department Ahead of 2027
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority is reorganizing its UBS supervision division to strengthen preventive oversight, following the departure of a senior official.
UniCredit expected to pledge peaceful Commerzbank takeover, says German government
German officials anticipate UniCredit will agree to a collaborative acquisition of Commerzbank, keeping the bank listed and preserving its capital base while seeking a growth strategy.
FINMA closes Signa case, imposes CHF 250m capital add‑on on Julius Bär
Switzerland's financial regulator FINMA concluded its probe into Julius Bär's exposure to the failed Signa group, citing severe breaches and requiring extra capital, a share‑buyback request and ongoing reporting until 2032.
FINMA concludes fifth enforcement proceeding against Julius Bär over loan and AML breaches
Swiss regulator FINMA closed its fifth enforcement case against Julius Bär, citing serious violations in private‑debt lending, risk management and anti‑money‑laundering rules, and ordered further compliance reporting.
EU states split on Swiss access under proposed “Made in Europe” label
Germany backs a “Made with Europe” approach that would include Switzerland, while France and others push for a label limited to the 27 EU members. The dispute centres on the Industrial Accelerator Act and a Dec. 3 deadline.
UBS faces steeper capital rules; Swiss jobs at risk
The Ständerat voted 33-10 to require UBS to back foreign subsidiaries with 90% hard equity, a move finance minister Keller-Sutter praised but which could cost up to 10,000 Swiss jobs.
UBS Shares Fall as Capital Rules Weigh on Margins and Q2 Earnings Miss
UBS Group reported Q2 EPS of $0.87, below consensus, as proposed Swiss capital requirements threaten to cut earnings by up to 10%.
FINMA Director Highlights Insurance Supervision and Climate Risks at 2026 Small Insurers Symposium
FINMA chief Stefan Walter stressed the regulator's focus on solvency, customer protection and emerging climate threats during the fourth annual gathering of Swiss small and mid‑size insurers.
FINMA stresses risk-based, proportional insurance supervision
Stefan Walter says Swiss regulators will focus oversight on individual insurer risks, with more freedom tied to competence — and tighter rules on complex investments like private credit.
SGS-TÜV Saar listed by Germany's KBA for automated vehicle training
The company has been added to the Federal Motor Transport Authority's register of authorized technical services for GRA training, expanding its vehicle homologation offerings.
BX Digital rebrands as SeturionX under Boerse Stuttgart Group
The Swiss Finma-licensed DLT trading system will integrate with Boerse Stuttgart's pan-European Seturion settlement platform while keeping settlement processes in Switzerland.
Confidence Prevails at Structured Products Forum in Interlaken
The International Structured Products Forum in Interlaken saw an optimistic tone driven by strong market performance, while speakers addressed regulatory challenges in Switzerland and the EU.
FINMA director stresses proportional oversight for Swiss banks
FINMA says supervision intensity follows size, complexity and risk, not a blanket approach on small banks, citing inspection frequency and the 2020 Kleinbankenregime.
Swiss banks face CHF 12-24 bln mortgage funding gap under Basel III
New Basel III rules could leave a CHF 12-24 billion annual financing shortfall for Swiss real estate and development projects, while owner-occupied housing benefits from lower capital requirements.
UBS shares hit 18-year high ahead of Swiss capital rules vote
UBS stock rose 4.8% last week to CHF 44.53 as investors awaited a key Senate committee decision on stricter capital requirements. The debate centers on whether the bank must raise $20 billion in hard equity or may use cheaper AT1 bonds.
Global push to restrict social media access for minors gains momentum
Australia leads with a 2025 ban on platforms for under-16s; EU, U.S. and Asia follow with age restrictions, fines and verification systems amid rising regulatory scrutiny.
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.
TWG working with regulators to cut affiliated insurance assets
Group 1001's insurers face scrutiny over related-party investments; TWG plans $6.5 billion swap to reduce exposure. Mark Walter denies fraud allegations.
UBS pushes for softer AT1 capital rules amid Swiss bank reform debate
Swiss lawmakers weigh compromise on Additional-Tier-1 debt as UBS-backed study argues for earlier loss-absorption triggers. Next vote set for Aug. 31.
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.
Former UBS CEO backs Swiss regulator in dispute with bank
Oswald Grübel, ex-CEO of UBS and Credit Suisse, sides with Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter against UBS's pushback on stricter capital rules. He argues state oversight is essential to prevent systemic risk.
Bitcoin’s 2022 vs 2026 crash: Why this downturn differs materially
Institutional adoption has reshaped Bitcoin’s latest downturn, with corporate treasuries and pension funds accumulating during drawdowns—a shift absent in 2022’s liquidity-driven collapse.