Branches of foreign securities firms
Branches of foreign securities firms must meet a number of licensing requirements to obtain authorisation from SFMA.
This SFMA page gives applicants and supervised institutions a practical view of the branches of foreign securities firms topic. It explains when a licence, approval, notification or registration may be needed, what information should be prepared, and which changes may require contact with the authority.
Definition of a foreign securities firm
Cross-border structures need particular care. The application should explain the foreign institution or product, the Swiss activity, home-country supervision where relevant, cooperation arrangements and how clients or market participants in Switzerland are protected.
Licensing requirements
The review focuses on whether the applicant is organised in a way that is suitable for branches of foreign securities firms within the First-time licensing of banks and securities firms area. SFMA will normally look at governance, financial resources, responsible persons, risk controls, compliance arrangements, auditability, outsourcing and whether the planned activity can be carried out without creating avoidable risks for clients, investors, policyholders or market integrity.
Duration of the licensing process
The review focuses on whether the applicant is organised in a way that is suitable for branches of foreign securities firms within the First-time licensing of banks and securities firms area. SFMA will normally look at governance, financial resources, responsible persons, risk controls, compliance arrangements, auditability, outsourcing and whether the planned activity can be carried out without creating avoidable risks for clients, investors, policyholders or market integrity.
Contact for questions on the licensing process
The review focuses on whether the applicant is organised in a way that is suitable for branches of foreign securities firms within the First-time licensing of banks and securities firms area. SFMA will normally look at governance, financial resources, responsible persons, risk controls, compliance arrangements, auditability, outsourcing and whether the planned activity can be carried out without creating avoidable risks for clients, investors, policyholders or market integrity.
Information and templates
Applications should be submitted with the current forms, declarations and supporting documents required for the activity. A complete file usually shortens the review because the authority can assess the business model, responsible persons, financial position, internal rules and legal basis without repeated follow-up questions.
Preparing a complete file
Applicants should keep the submission concise but complete: describe the activity, legal structure, people responsible, control framework, financial resources, relevant documents and any cross-border elements. Where uncertainty remains, the issue should be highlighted early rather than left to emerge during review.