Switzerland: Finance and Banking

In a decision designated for publication, the Swiss Federal Tribunal has confirmed that a bank operating on an execution-only basis is not required to remit distribution commissions to its client — resolving a question the Court had previously left open and offering the clearest guidance to date on where the duty to account ends in non-advisory relationships.

Providing core banking services to EU customers from a non-EU country will generally require the establishment of an authorised EU branch or subsidiary.

The payments industry faces a critical infrastructure decision as providers navigate between legacy data centres and cloud-based solutions. With operational complexity intensifying and client expectations evolving, determining the right path forward requires careful evaluation of cost profiles, resilience capabilities, innovation potential, and sector-specific demands.