Overview of Regulatory Changes
The Swiss Federal Council has announced substantial amendments to the regulatory framework governing systemically important banks following an extensive review catalyzed by the Credit Suisse crisis. The findings indicated a pressing need to enhance the "too big to fail" concept, aiming to safeguard the interests of the state, taxpayers, and the broader economy.
Proposed Amendments
During its meeting on June 6, 2025, the Federal Council outlined key adjustments that will be submitted for phased consultation starting this autumn. These proposals encompass:
- Stricter Capital Requirements: Systemically important banks with foreign subsidiaries will face enhanced capital demands.
- Recovery and Resolution Plans: Additional requirements regarding the recovery and resolution strategies for systemically critical banks.
- Senior Managers Regime: This provision aims to clarify decision-making responsibilities within banks, allowing for targeted sanctions in instances of misconduct.
- Increased Authority for FINMA: The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) will receive expanded powers for early interventions and regulatory enforcement.
Strengthening Accountability
The proposed senior managers regime emphasizes accountability, requiring banks to document decision-making responsibilities. This clarity will facilitate the imposition of penalties, such as retracting previously awarded variable compensations or implementing professional bans on misconduct.
Additionally, to bolster liquidity measures, banks will be required to prepare collateral to access liquidity from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) and other central banks. These rules will incorporate a quantitative baseline, ensuring systemically important banks can secure necessary funds.
Changes to Capital Backing
In addressing current capital structures, it was noted that Swiss banks presently provide only partial backing for their foreign subsidiaries. This approach has proven problematic, particularly during the Credit Suisse crisis, where necessary asset sales were hindered by inadequate capital compliance. Moving forward, a pivotal change will mandate that systemically important banks fully deduct the values of foreign subsidiaries from their core capital calculations, safeguarding overall capital stability.
Legislative Timeline
The Federal Council is set to unveil initial consultation drafts for legislative amendments throughout the latter half of 2025 and into early 2026, with proposed changes expected to take effect no earlier than January 2027. This structured approach includes planned transitional periods, specifically regarding capital increments, acknowledging the complexities involved for impacted banks.
Impact on UBS
In light of these amendments, UBS—having absorbed Credit Suisse—has experienced a fluctuation in its stock prices following the announcement of the new capital requirements, which enjoin the bank to hold an additional $26 billion in Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital. Analysts posit that despite the stringent rules, UBS possesses the capacity to fulfil these obligations without significant detriment to its shareholder returns.
The overarching sentiment from the finance minister indicates optimism about UBS's resilience, asserting that these reforms are crucial for enhancing the national banking landscape and will ultimately reduce the likelihood of future government bailouts.
Conclusion
The Swiss government's commitment to tightening banking regulations reflects a broader global trend towards enhanced financial oversight following crises. The proposed amendments not only seek to ensure the stability of Swiss banks but also aim to restore public confidence in the financial system amidst an evolving economic landscape.
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