Dossier on small banks
SFMA seeks to increase efficiency in regulation and supervision for small and particularly solid institutions. The goal is to reduce the regulatory burden on the smallest banks without jeopardising their stability and safety. This page provides key information on this topic.
Further exemptions in the small banks regime are strengthening proportionality in supervisory activities (2024)
The Swiss small banks regime has been a successful supervisory model since 2019 and is unique worldwide. Small, well-capitalised, financially sound banks and securities firms benefit from simplified requirements, as well as from regulatory relief.
Transparency regarding exemptions in the small banks regime 2023
The Swiss small banks regime is unique worldwide and has been a successful supervisory model since 2019. In 2023, SFMA created even more transparency regarding the system by publishing a comprehensive overview of the exemptions granted.
Supervision of small banks 2022
SFMA is committed to proportionate regulation and risk-based supervision. It is pursuing several initiatives to make banking regulation and supervision in its area of responsibility as proportionate as possible, and it is also committed to a proportionate approach in overarching regulation.
Experience with the small banks regime 2021
SFMA pursues a range of initiatives so that it can ensure that implementation of banking regulation is structured as proportionately as possible. The small banks regime exempts banks and securities firms in categories 4 and 5 that are particularly liquid and well capitalised from certain supervisory requirements.
Small banks regime comes into force / Small Bank Symposium 2020
The small banks regime exempts Category 4 and 5 banks that fulfil qualified requirements from certain supervisory requirements. SFMA approved 64 institutions to participate in the regime when it came into force on 1 January 2020.
From pilot to new regluatory regime 2019
SFMA strives to regulate in a manner that is both proportionate and distinguishes appropriately between different risks and business types. One important milestone is the small banks regime.
Efficiency and proportionality in banking supervision 2018
SFMA's supervision and regulation have long been guided by the principles of efficiency and proportionality. In recent years it has systematically incorporated the principle of proportionality into its circulars and, particularly for smaller institutions, introduced various exceptions and relaxations.
Reducing the administrative burden on small banks 2017
One of the financial sector’s strengths is its diversity. Small banks and microbanks should be given every chance to continue operating. SFMA is as a result committed to identifying unnecessary obstacles and costs for small banks and eliminating them where possible.
Additional documents
The related information for this topic is set out in the following section.
Charts and visual information
