Swiss banking landscape in a constant state of change for 300 years
The Swiss banking landscape has changed repeatedly over the centuries. A historical analysis by the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), commissioned by the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA), systematically traces this development over more than 300 years. The analysis shows that structural change is a defining feature of the Swiss banking sector. The SBA is now making selected findings accessible to a broad public.
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The aim of the project was to identify all banks in Switzerland from the 18th century onwards and trace their development. “At the level of individual institutions in particular, long-term developments had previously only been partially researched. We can now close much of this gap,” says Prof. Dr Simon Amrein, head of the research project at HSLU. “In total, we have brought together around one million data points.”
More than 1,900 banks historically documented
An initial look at the data shows just how much the Swiss banking landscape has changed over three centuries. More than 1,900 banks have been historically documented since the 18th century. Periods with large numbers of new bank foundations have repeatedly alternated with phases of consolidation. Mergers, takeovers and liquidations have played a major role in shaping today’s banking structure.
At the same time, the data show how banks responded to new economic and social needs. In the 19th century, for example, numerous savings banks were established, enabling broader sections of the population to save. Institutions subsequently continued to adapt their business models. Commercial banks developed into universal banks, while savings banks and cantonal banks today have a strong presence in the mortgage business, among other areas.
“History shows which developments are genuinely new and where long-term patterns can be identified,” says Dr Martin Hess, Head of Economic Policy at the SBA, who oversees the project on behalf of the association. “The new historical dataset helps us assess current changes in a more nuanced way and provides a fact-based foundation for discussion about the Swiss banking sector.”
The dataset is intended not only to provide a new perspective on the development of the banking market. It also provides a basis for further research into financial history, including the structure of the banking market, the role of savings banks and the contribution of banks to Switzerland’s economic development.
“The changing face of Swiss banks” now on swissbanking.ch
Swiss Banking is making selected findings accessible through its online feature “The changing face of Swiss banks”, providing a new basis for placing current developments in the banking sector in their historical context. Historical data and charts illustrate key trends in the development of the Swiss banking sector. A podcast with Simon Amrein, an explanatory film and an expert interview provides additional insights.