Financial Crime World

Swiss Regulatory Bodies: A Key Player in Shaping the Nation’s Financial Landscape

As the independent supervisor of Switzerland’s financial market, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the stability and integrity of the country’s financial system.

Enforcing Supervisory Law

When necessary, FINMA takes action against violators of the law using coercive measures under administrative law. The authority has a range of powers at its disposal, including the power to impose penalties and fines on companies and individuals found guilty of non-compliance.

Key Enforcement Topics

FINMA’s enforcement activities are focused on several key areas, including:

  • Licence holders
  • Unauthorised activities
  • Market supervision
  • Enforcement tools
  • Recovery and resolution
  • National and international cooperation
  • Rights and obligations
  • Case reports and court decisions

The authority also publishes an annual report detailing its enforcement activities, providing a valuable insight into the issues it has tackled and the actions it has taken.

FINMA’s Enforcement Report

The enforcement report contains anonymised case studies that offer a more in-depth look at FINMA’s enforcement activities. This provides stakeholders with a better understanding of the authority’s approach to enforcement and the measures it takes to address non-compliance.

Warning List

FINMA also maintains a warning list of companies and individuals that may be operating without the necessary authorisation. This serves as an important tool for investors and consumers, helping them to make informed decisions about where to place their funds.

FINMA: An Overview

As a regulator, FINMA is responsible for ensuring that financial institutions operate in a safe and sound manner. To achieve this goal, the authority has established several supervisory objectives, including:

  • Maintaining financial stability
  • Protecting depositors and investors
  • Promoting market efficiency

FINMA’s organisational structure is designed to support these objectives, with a team of experienced professionals working together to supervise the financial sector.

Documentation

FINMA provides a range of documentation on its activities and supervisory approach, including:

  • Annual reports
  • Financial statements
  • Brochures

The authority also publishes information on its website about its supervisory objectives, organisation, and working practices.

Overall

Overall, FINMA plays a vital role in shaping Switzerland’s financial landscape, using its powers and expertise to ensure that the country’s financial institutions operate in a safe and sound manner.