Regulation
Banking regulation: a good balance between stability and competitiveness is needed
22.04.2026
AI-translated. Some sections may contain inaccuracies.
At a glance
- There is a threat of a further deterioration in the attractiveness of the location: the banking regulations presented by the Federal Council go well beyond international standards and burden both the banks and the location with additional costs.
- The new capital requirements affect the entire economy, as they also increase credit costs. The competitiveness of the entire Swiss economy is therefore at stake.
- economiesuisse is calling for a proportionate solution to banking regulation that combines stability with competitiveness.
Switzerland is under pressure as a business location. Geopolitical and global economic tensions continue and are weighing on Switzerland as a strongly export-oriented business location. Additional regulatory ballast must therefore be avoided at all costs. While the Federal Council has taken individual points of criticism from the consultation process into account in the amended Capital Adequacy Ordinance (CAO), it has presented another Swiss Finish in the dispatch on the revision of the Banking Act, specifically with regard to the full capital backing of foreign investments.
Financial industry and workplace are closely intertwined
The Federal Council is thus sticking to its maximum variant. It thus goes well beyond international standards and burdens the banks with considerable additional costs. This is detrimental to Switzerland as a business location, as the financial center and industry are closely intertwined. The financial institutions provide companies with capital and high-quality services and support them in their export business. If the financial center is weakened by excessive regulation, the cost of corporate loans will rise and investments will be slowed down. That would be a very bad sign, especially in the current economic environment.
Critical opinions were hardly taken into account
economiesuisse regrets that the Federal Council has hardly taken into account the numerous critical comments and concerns, particularly from the business community, during the consultation process. One thing is clear: the stricter capital requirements increase the refinancing costs of banks and will be passed on to companies in the form of higher lending rates, stricter credit conditions or restricted financial services. The business community has therefore emphasized during the consultation process that the Federal Council's proposals are not proportionate and are ultimately economically damaging.
Stability and competitiveness: both are needed
Now it is up to the Parliament. economiesuisse is calling on the Swiss parliament not to weaken Switzerland's successful model, but to strike a smart balance between financial stability and competitiveness. What is needed is regulation with a sense of proportion - proportionate, internationally coordinated and compatible with the location.
