On 5 December 2017, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA published its new circular 2018/3 Outsourcing – Banks and Insurance Companies. In contrast to the current rules, the new circular not only covers banks and securities dealers but is also applicable to insurance companies. The main changes are a more flexible definition what constitutes outsourcing based on a case-by-case analysis factoring in the business model and risk profile of each institution, a more differentiated approach to intra-group outsourcing, and a focus on supervisory issues, leaving data protection and banking secrecy out of the scope of the FINMA circular. The new rules entered into force on 1 April 2018.

By Rashid Bahar / Martin Peyer (Reference: CapLaw-2018-16)