On-site supervisory reviews
On-site supervisory reviews are topic-related controls. They take place within the framework of prudential supervision and allow FINMA to form its own impression of a business division, department or function of the respective supervised institution. Cross-comparisons between individual institutions also allow FINMA to gain a better overview of the market.
Direct supervisory tool
On-site supervisory reviews are a tool used for direct supervision. Depending on the situation, direct supervisory activities are performed by the competent FINMA supervisors or specialists at the premises of the supervised institution, which is why they are referred to as on-site supervisory reviews. Article 24 para. 1 of the Financial Market Supervision Act provides the legal framework for these activities.
Frequency depends on intensity of supervision
The number of on-site supervisory reviews performed each year is different for each institution and depends on the intensity of supervision required. In turn, this is determined by the FINMA supervisory category to which each institution is assigned and the FINMA risk profile for each supervised institution.
As a rule, on-site supervisory reviews are performed as part of annual planning. However, unscheduled supervisory reviews may also be performed additionally due to specific events. The duration of an on-site supervisory review may be from a few days to a few weeks, if a more in-depth assessment of the situation is required.
Vor-Ort-Kontrollen der FINMA im Ausland
Die FINMA kann zum Vollzug der Finanzmarktgesetze auch direkte Prüfungen im Ausland vornehmen oder durch Prüfgesellschaften oder beigezogene Beauftragte vornehmen lassen (Art. 43 Abs. 1 FINMAG). Die Zulässigkeit und die Voraussetzungen zur Vornahme solcher Prüfungen richtet sich nach Massgabe des jeweilig anwendbaren ausländischen Rechts. Prüfgesellschaften oder beigezogene Beauftrage haben die FINMA über geplante Prüfungen im Ausland jeweils mit genügender Vorlaufszeit (i.d.R. 4-6 Wochen) zu informieren, damit die FINMA von der ausländischen Finanzmarktmarktaufsichtsbehörde vorgängig die ggfs. dafür erforderliche Erlaubnis einholen kann.
