We need more Team Switzerland 

The theme for Bankers Day 2025 was the day after tomorrow. The emphasis was firmly on the future, and a banking centre that is actively involved in shaping it, exploiting digital opportunities and making the case for effective solutions. More than 400 participants from the worlds of business and politics came together in the historic rooms of the Casino Bern for an inspiring exchange of views.

With the banks. For Switzerland. 

The event opened in unconventional fashion: the room was transformed into a cinema, as Swiss Banking launched its new digital communication campaign, “The River”, with one of four short films. The campaign explains the significance and relevance of banks to Switzerland in simple, emotional and unexpected ways. The chosen setting is rivers, which are an apt analogy for banks: they advance, change, are dynamic and animated, and are connected to the world of finance, they flow – just as capital flows. The claim “With the banks. For Switzerland.” highlights the work banks do and the role they play as enablers for their customers.

A stable and resilient banking centre 

After this, Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr Marcel Rohner guided attendees through the annual general meeting. In his subsequent Chairman’s speech, he reminded his audience that resilient business models are the foundation of a strong sector – one that has weathered the financial crises of the last two decades. At the same time, he stressed that only intelligent regulation and a clear orientation towards profitability can further enhance banks’ stability, resilience and international reach going forward.

From the day before yesterday to the day after tomorrow 

In her message of welcome, National Council President and guest of honour Maja Riniker homed in on the topic of trust. She fondly recalled her own time as a banking apprentice, and pointed to the common experiences of the day before yesterday and the day after tomorrow, noting that the values and challenges of the past are still with us today, albeit in a new form: “Behind every application are human beings placing their trust in us. We must work together to preserve that trust.” 

Panel discussion 

A stimulating panel discussion with Roman Studer (CEO of Swiss Banking), Stefan Walter (CEO of FINMA), Seraina Grünewald (Professor of International Economic Law and Finance Law at the University of St. Gallen) and Jean-François Lagassé (Senior Partner at Deloitte) shed light on the opportunities and challenges for the Swiss banking centre, and offered a fascinating insight into current differences between the sector and the supervisory authority. Roman Studer concluded with the memorable statement that “We need more Team Switzerland”, underscoring that goal-oriented collaboration can shape and influence not just the present, but also the future course of the Swiss banking centre.

The next generation 

Of course, no look at the day after tomorrow would be complete without the bankers of the future. Before the official event, a group of apprentices from the region had an opportunity to interact personally with Roman Studer, after posing questions in advance via social media. Topics on which they wanted answers included the skills young employees will need in the bank of the future, the measures needed to safeguard the attractiveness of the Swiss financial centre, and how the banking sector can maintain its leading position in the face of international competition. 

 With the launch of the national campaign “The River” and the milestone on the deposit token announced at a media conference on the same day, the sector showed itself to be unified, innovative and ready to be bold as it moves ahead to a digital future.