Sustainable finance – Switzerland on course to become a premier international hub
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"With its combination of know-how, financial expertise, technological solutions and practical skills, the Swiss financial centre is extremely well positioned. We are well on course to becoming a premier international hub in sustainable finance," says Jörg Gasser, CEO of the SBA. Achieving this goal requires the support of all actors involved: not just policymakers, but also stakeholders such as banks, insurers and investment funds, as well as their industry associations.
Guidelines on the advisory process
Studies have shown that the integration of ESG factors into investment decisions is now the norm for most institutional clients such as pension funds. There is still some catch-up potential in the private clients business, however. By publishing the "Guidelines on the integration of ESG criteria into the private client advisory process", the SBA is encouraging the industry to exploit this potential. "As already announced earlier this year, the SBA now offers valuable guidelines for its members regarding investment advice to private clients," says Jörg Gasser. "These guidelines have been developed through close and intensive collaboration with our members. They are the result of a broad consensus and have the full backing of the banking industry."
Effective ways of improving the framework conditions for sustainable finance
The SBA brochure "Sustainable finance in Switzerland: from pioneer to premier international hub" provides policymakers and the general public with a comprehensive overview of current industry initiatives. The brochure also sets out concrete action areas where the framework conditions could be effectively improved. "Existing regulatory and fiscal burdens on sustainable financial instruments in Switzerland have to be dismantled in order to improve the overall conditions for sustainable financial flows," says August Benz, Deputy CEO and Head Private Banking & Asset Management.
- Ten industry initiatives – ten action areas for policymakers
The roadmap for developing the Swiss financial centre into the premier international hub for sustainable finance is set out in the brochure "Sustainable finance in Switzerland". The brochure can be downloaded here.
SBA deepens its sustainable finance expertise with a new presence in Geneva
On 1 June 2020, the SBA increased its physical presence and personnel in Geneva by opening a branch office in the premises of the Fondation Genève Place Financière. Alexandre Roch, an expert in sustainable finance, began working at the start of June as the first SBA employee to be stationed in Geneva. This move strengthens the SBA's links not only with Geneva's financial centre, but with the numerous international organisations based in the area.