An in-depth look at a highly networked financial centre
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Switzerland’s banks offer a comprehensive range of products and services to meet the needs of private customers, companies, institutional investors and public-sector entities. The new online publication Swiss Banking Trends from the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) paints a picture of a highly networked financial centre.
The industry’s products and services can be split up into five general areas of business: wealth management, investment management, retail banking, corporate banking and capital market products. Different banks assume different roles vis-à-vis their customers. Depending on customers’ needs, they utilise their balance sheet, infrastructure or access to financial markets. In addition, banks act as advisors and information providers in all areas of business. The wide variety of banking products underscores the key role banks play for their customers and for the Swiss economy as a whole.
The various customer segments benefit considerably from the concentration of expertise in investment management. At the same time, private customers’ assets generate an ample supply of capital and strong demand for investment know-how. This results in synergies and advantages for both customer groups. The Swiss financial sector offers companies a broad range of financing opportunities, specific transaction services and access to the capital market. Capital market products are vital to both everyday and bespoke offerings, and banks also use them to ensure liquidity and determine prices on the capital markets. The job market, which allows experts to move between the various functions, also plays an important role in terms of knowledge transfer and shared understanding among market participants. This is currently evident, for example, with regard to sustainable finance, which was originally in demand mainly among institutional investors but is now very popular with private customers as well.
The various areas of Swiss banking business are subject to a range of different influences, including financial market and macroeconomic trends, changing regulations and new customer needs. The online publication Swiss Banking Trends outlines the latest developments in each area.