Dossier on small banks

FINMA 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.
From the Annual Report 2023

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, FINMA created even more transparency regarding the system by publishing a comprehensive overview of the exemptions granted .

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From the Annual Report 2022

Supervision of small banks 2022

FINMA 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.

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From the Annual Report 2021

Experience with the small banks regime 2021

FINMA 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.

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From the Annual Report 2020

Small banks regime comes into force / Small Bank Symposium 2020

Kleinbanken

The small banks regime exempts Category 4 and 5 banks that fulfil qualified requirements from certain supervisory requirements. FINMA approved 64 institutions to participate in the regime when it came into force on 1 January 2020.

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From the Annual Report 2019

From pilot to new regluatory regime 2019

Kleinbanken

FINMA 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.

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From the Annual Report 2018

Efficiency and proportionality in banking supervision 2018

FINMA’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.

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From the Annual Report 2017

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. FINMA is therefore committed to identifying unnecessary obstacles and costs for small banks and eliminating them where possible.

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