Self-regulatory organisations (SROs)

Financial intermediaries subject to anti-money laundering duties may be required to join a recognised self-regulatory organisation. SROs help implement and monitor compliance with the anti-money laundering framework.

Self-regulation is used in the Swiss anti-money laundering system to supervise certain financial intermediaries outside direct prudential supervision. An SRO sets rules for its members, checks compliance, provides guidance and takes measures when members breach their obligations.

Recognition as an SRO

An organisation seeking recognition must show that it has appropriate rules, independent governance, adequate resources, qualified staff and effective procedures for admission, supervision, investigation and sanctioning. SFMA assesses whether the organisation can carry out its role reliably and without conflicts that would undermine supervision.

Recognised SROs must continue to meet the recognition conditions. They must update their regulations when the legal framework changes, supervise their members consistently and inform the authority about significant issues.

The recognition file should explain how the organisation identifies member risk, conducts reviews, handles suspicious cases, trains staff and makes sanction decisions. It should also show how independence is protected when members participate in the governance of the organisation.

SRO regulations

SRO regulations translate statutory anti-money laundering duties into practical rules for members. They cover topics such as client identification, beneficial owner clarification, risk-based monitoring, reporting duties, documentation and training. The regulations must be approved and kept aligned with the law.

Member supervision should be proportionate to the risks presented by the activity, client base, geography and transaction patterns. Where deficiencies are identified, the SRO should require remediation, monitor completion and take disciplinary action where necessary. Serious matters may also need to be reported to the competent authorities.

Member checks

Public SRO member searches help users verify whether a financial intermediary belongs to a recognised organisation. A search result does not replace legal or contractual due diligence, but it is a useful starting point for confirming regulatory status.

Public lists and member search

The source page points to a member search and to lists of recognised self-regulatory organisations in spreadsheet and PDF form. These resources help users check whether a financial intermediary belongs to a recognised SRO and whether an organisation itself is recognised. The member search is a useful status check, but it does not replace a full legal assessment of a financial intermediary business model.

Recognition documentation

Forms for SRO changes and declarations are part of the recognition framework. Responsible persons and owners may need to disclose pending or completed proceedings, qualified participations in financial-sector undertakings and other mandates or employment relationships. These disclosures help identify independence, reputation and conflict-of-interest issues.

Ongoing responsibilities

Recognised SROs must monitor members under anti-money laundering rules. Their regulations need to cover admission, risk classification, audits, remediation, sanctions, reporting and training. When legislation or supervisory expectations change, the SRO must update its rules and apply them consistently to members.

Coordination with the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland and awareness of sector guidance are relevant because anti-money laundering supervision often depends on timely recognition of suspicious activity and clear reporting processes.