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The core task of supervision is to protect depositors, insured persons and clients as well as to ensure the proper functioning of the financial markets. FINMA aligns its actions with its strategic goals. FINMA’s Board of Directors has now defined the strategic goals for the next four years in accordance with its legal mandate and submitted them to the Federal Council for approval. The four goals are a response to developments in the supervisory areas in the current environment, which poses particular challenges along with financial and operational risks. They define the future focus of FINMA’s activities. The Federal Council granted its approval on 13 November 2024. 

Preventive supervision and integrity

FINMA’s supervisory activities increase confidence in Switzerland as a financial centre and contribute to the long-term stability of the Swiss financial system. It is constantly developing its supervisory instruments, procedures and analyses so that it can take preventive action within the framework of supervisory law and rectify irregularities as quickly as possible. FINMA aims to ensure that supervised institutions have sound governance and robust risk management processes in place. 

A core element of the implementation is that FINMA will review the supervisory approach for UBS on an ongoing basis and refine it as necessary so that the risks associated with its systemic importance can be countered at all times.

FINMA will also work to ensure that the requirements for combating money laundering and terrorist financing and the conduct requirements under the Financial Services Act (FinSA) are complied with by all institutions. FINMA views market integrity as an important factor for the reputation of institutions and the Swiss financial centre.

Financial and operational resilience 

FINMA will continue to place a strong focus on the financial resilience of supervised institutions as part of its supervision. It will pay particular attention to how supervised institutions deal with market risks, credit risks, liquidity risks and actuarial risks. FINMA will ensure that institutions maintain adequate levels of capital and liquidity to withstand severe financial shocks. The supervision of institutions’ operational resilience will focus on the risks associated with the outsourcing of services, the risk of heavy dependence on a single service provider (concentration) and the handling of cyber risks. FINMA will work in particular to ensure that institutions that could jeopardise the stability of the financial system in the event of a crisis are adequately prepared and resilient.

Framework conditions

FINMA will actively contribute its experience and expertise to building the basis for financial market regulation. At all levels, it will advocate for framework conditions that ensure effective supervision and early intervention at the supervised institutions. 

FINMA will continue to take account of ongoing technological developments. It will create a supervisory framework that enables the Swiss financial market and its clients to benefit from technological progress in a secure environment. FINMA will apply regulation in a transparent and technology-neutral manner.

Organisation

FINMA will continuously increase its effectiveness and efficiency as a supervisory authority. It will organise itself efficiently as an authority, utilising internal synergies, developing on a sustainable basis and consistently pushing forward its own digital transformation. FINMA will also enhance its supervision with regard to the resources used. It will gradually increase the proportion of direct supervision, in particular on-site supervisory reviews, to the extent that it is empowered to do so. Finally, FINMA will strive for effective communication by actively reporting on its activities and the way in which it fulfils its mandate.