Senior Managers / Governance Regulations in Switzerland

July 20th 2026

Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Demokratische Republik Kongo

Das Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO) hat eine Änderung des Anhangs 1 der Verordnung vom 22. Juni 2005 über Massnahmen gegenüber der Demokratischen Republik Kongo (SR 946.231.12) publiziert.

AI Analysis

FINMA is notifying the Swiss market that the UN sanctions committee changed the Democratic Republic of Congo sanctions list on **16 July 2026**, and Switzerland applied the update directly after SECO updated SESAM on **17 July 2026**. For compliance teams, this means sanctions screening, asset-freeze controls, and relationship monitoring had to be refreshed immediately because the Swiss measure takes effect without additional domestic delay.

What Changed

- The UN sanctions committee amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies, and organizations relating to the Democratic Republic of Congo on 16 July 2026.
The change is directly applicable in Switzerland, so firms cannot wait for a separate Swiss implementing act before acting on the updated list.
SECO updated the Swiss sanctions database SESAM on 17 July 2026 and published the update on its website.
Financial intermediaries must implement the prohibitions set out in the ordinance, including freezing the assets of sanctioned persons.
Financial intermediaries must report the affected business relationships to SECO.

Suggested Considerations

Review sanctions screening results immediately against the updated Congo-related list in SESAM and any internal watchlists to identify matching clients, counterparties, and beneficial owners.
Freeze assets and block prohibited dealings involving newly designated persons, companies, or organizations as required by the ordinance.
Report affected business relationships to SECO in line with the sanctions ordinance requirements.
Perform enhanced internal clarifications under Article 6 GwG/AMLA whenever a sanctions hit or other red flags create suspicion.
File an immediate suspicious activity report with the Money Laundering Reporting Office under Article 9 GwG/AMLA if doubts cannot be resolved.

Key Dates

16 July 2026

- The competent UN sanctions committee changed the list of sanctioned persons, companies, and organizations for the Democratic Republic of Congo

17 July 2026

- SECO updated the Swiss sanctions database SESAM and published the change for Switzerland

17 July 2026

- The updated sanctions lists became directly applicable in Switzerland without delay

Compliance Impact

Non-compliance is high severity because Swiss sanctions updates tied to UN designations are immediately effective and can require rapid blocking and reporting action. Failure to freeze assets, report to SECO, or escalate suspicious relationships under AMLA can expose firms to supervisory enforcement and potential money-laundering reporting breaches.

References

AI-generated analysis. May contain errors or omissions — verify with the original FINMA source before acting. Full disclaimer.

Sectors:

Topics:

AML / Financial Crime Reporting & Disclosure Senior Managers / Governance

BankWealth ManagerAsset Manager

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA Enforcement critical

June 16th 2026

Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Russland

Das Eidgenössische Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF hat Änderungen des Anhangs 8 der Verordnung vom 4. März 2022 über Massnahmen im Zusammenhang mit der Situation in der Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72) publiziert.

AI Analysis

On 15 June 2026, the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (WBF) amended **Annex 8** of the Swiss Ordinance of 4 March 2022 on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72) and published the updated sanctions list on its website. The changes, which enter into force the same day at 23:00, require Swiss financial intermediaries to immediately update their sanctions screening, freeze assets of newly listed parties, and report affected relationships to SECO while also fulfilling their anti‑money‑laundering (AML) duties under the Anti‑Money Laundering Act (GwG).

What Changed

- Annex 8 of the Ordinance of 4 March 2022 on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72) has been amended by the WBF to update the list of sanctioned persons and...
The WBF has published the updated Annex 8 and associated sanctions-list changes on its website, making these changes the operative reference for Swiss sanctions screening and asset-freeze obligations.
The amended measures enter into force on 15 June 2026 at 23:00, creating an immediate and time‑critical requirement for financial intermediaries to align their controls with the new Annex 8 content.
Financial intermediaries are instructed to implement all prohibitions arising from the Ordinance, including any new or expanded restrictions connected to the updated Annex 8 listings.
Financial intermediaries must freeze the assets of persons and entities newly designated or otherwise affected by the Annex 8 amendment and ensure no prohibited transactions or services are carried...

Suggested Considerations

Review the updated Annex 8 of SR 946.231.176.72 as published by the WBF and obtain the latest Swiss sanctions-list data (including from SESAM/SECO where used) before the 23:00 effective time.
Update internal sanctions screening lists, vendor‑provided screening tools and watchlist filters to incorporate all new and amended entries in Annex 8.
Run an immediate batch screening of all customers, beneficial owners, controlling persons, counterparties, securities holdings and payment flows against the updated Annex 8 once the changes are operative.
Identify all existing and pending business relationships that match updated Annex 8 entries and classify them as sanctioned in internal systems.
Freeze without delay any assets, accounts, securities, or other economic resources belonging to, owned, held or controlled by persons and entities listed in Annex 8, in line with the Ordinance.

Key Dates

04 March 2022

– Original Ordinance on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72) enters into force, establishing the framework for Annex 8 sanctions and related financial measures

15 June 2026

– WBF amends Annex 8 of the Ordinance and publishes the changes on its website, updating the list of sanctioned persons and entities

15 June 2026 DEADLINE

– The amended measures under Annex 8 enter into force at 23:00, from which time financial intermediaries must have implemented the new prohibitions, asset freezes, and reporting processes

Compliance Impact

The change has a high compliance impact because failure to implement sanctions immediately upon entry into force can constitute a breach of Swiss supervisory law and the Ordinance, potentially leading to criminal sanctions, administrative enforcement by FINMA, and significant reputational damage. Non‑compliance may also trigger AML enforcement exposure where institutions fail to conduct required clarifications or to report suspicions to MROS.

References

AI-generated analysis. May contain errors or omissions — verify with the original FINMA source before acting. Full disclaimer.

Sectors:

Banking & Credit Investment Management Wealth & Private Banking

Topics:

AML / Financial Crime Reporting & Disclosure Senior Managers / Governance

BankAsset ManagerWealth Manager

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA Enforcement high

June 5th 2026

Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Sudan

Das Eidgenössische Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung (WBF) hat den Anhang 2 der Verordnung vom 25. Mai 2005 über Massnahmen gegenüber Sudan (SR 946.231.18) geändert.

AI Analysis

Das Eidgenössische Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung (WBF) hat am 4. Juni 2026 den Anhang 2 der Verordnung vom 25. Mai 2005 über Massnahmen gegenüber Sudan (SR 946.231.18) angepasst, wodurch die schweizerischen Sanktionen gegen Sudan aktualisiert wurden. Dies verpflichtet beaufsichtigte Institute, ihre Sanktions- und Embargoprüfungen umgehend an die neuen gelisteten Personen, Organisationen oder Einrichtungen anzupassen und sicherzustellen, dass sämtliche Vermögenssperren und Meldepflichten nach schweizerischem Sanktions- und Geldwäscherecht eingehalten werden.

What Changed

- Der Anhang 2 der Verordnung vom 25. Mai 2005 über Massnahmen gegenüber Sudan (SR 946.231.18) wurde durch Entscheid des WBF aktualisiert, was Änderungen an der Sanktionsliste (gelistete natürliche...
Die aktualisierte Sanktionsliste zu Sudan ist für alle von der Verordnung erfassten Finanzintermediäre unmittelbar verbindlich und ist bei der Prüfung von Kunden, wirtschaftlich Berechtigten,...
Vermögenswerte von neu gelisteten Personen oder Einrichtungen müssen gemäss Verordnung unverzüglich eingefroren und dürfen weder direkt noch indirekt zur Verfügung gestellt werden.
Bereits bestehende Geschäftsbeziehungen zu neu gelisteten Personen oder Einrichtungen sind zu suspendieren bzw. abzuwickeln, soweit dies mit den gesetzlichen Vermögenssperren vereinbar ist.
Institute sind verpflichtet, gefundene Treffer (Treffer bei Konten, Depots, Zahlungs- oder Handelsgeschäften) zu gelisteten Personen oder Einrichtungen den zuständigen Bundesstellen nach den...

Suggested Considerations

Führen Sie umgehend einen Abgleich aller Kunden-, Konten- und wirtschaftlich Berechtigten-Stammdaten sowie relevanter Transaktionen gegen die aktualisierte Sudan-Sanktionsliste gemäss Anhang 2 der Verordnung SR 946.231.18 durch.
Identifizieren und dokumentieren Sie alle Treffer (Hits) zu gelisteten Personen, Organisationen oder Einrichtungen und prüfen Sie diese formal (True Hit vs. False Positive) unter Anwendung eines dokumentierten, vier-Augen-prüfenden Verfahrens.
Frieren Sie Vermögenswerte von bestätigten gelisteten Personen oder Einrichtungen unverzüglich ein, blockieren Sie Transaktionen und verhindern Sie jede direkte oder indirekte Bereitstellung von wirtschaftlichen Ressourcen, in Übereinstimmung mit der Sudan-Verordnung.
Erstatten Sie umgehend die erforderlichen Meldungen an die zuständigen Bundesstellen (insbesondere SECO bzw. die im Sanktionsrecht vorgesehenen Behörden) sowie – soweit einschlägig – Verdachtsmeldungen an die Meldestelle für Geldwäscherei (MROS).
Aktualisieren Sie Ihre Sanktions- und AML-Richtlinien, Arbeitsanweisungen und Kontrollpläne, um die neuen Sudan-spezifischen Listungen und Prozesse zur Vermögenssperre und Meldung explizit zu berücksichtigen.

Key Dates

25 May 2005

- Erlass der Verordnung über Massnahmen gegenüber Sudan (SR 946.231.18), die den rechtlichen Rahmen für schweizerische Sudan-Sanktionen schafft

04 June 2026

- Das WBF beschliesst und veröffentlicht die Änderung des Anhangs 2 der Verordnung über Massnahmen gegenüber Sudan (SR 946.231.18); die aktualisierte Sanktionsliste tritt in Kraft und ist ab diesem Datum anzuwenden

Compliance Impact

Die Änderung des Anhangs 2 der Sudan-Verordnung erhöht das unmittelbare Sanktions- und Geldwäschereirisiko für Schweizer Finanzintermediäre bei unzureichender Listenpflege, Überwachung und Meldeprozessen. Verstösse gegen schweizerische Sanktionsbestimmungen können zu erheblichen aufsichtsrechtlichen Massnahmen durch FINMA, strafrechtlichen Konsequenzen sowie schwerwiegenden Reputationsschäden führen.

References

[1] finma.ch/de/news/2026/06/20260605-sr-946-231-18/

AI-generated analysis. May contain errors or omissions — verify with the original FINMA source before acting. Full disclaimer.

Sectors:

Banking & Credit Capital Markets & Trading Payments & E-Money

Topics:

AML / Financial Crime Reporting & Disclosure Senior Managers / Governance

BankBroker DealerPayment Provider

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA News

May 22nd 2026

Simon Brönnimann to assume leadership of FINMA’s Recovery and Resolution division

The Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has appointed Simon Brönnimann as Head of the Recovery and Resolution division and as a member of the Executive Board. He will assume leadership of the division, which he has been leading on an interim basis since April 2026, on a permanent basis from 1 June 2026.

Sectors:

Banking & Credit

Topics:

Senior Managers / Governance

Bank

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA News medium

February 18th 2026

Alain Girard to assume leadership of FINMA’s Banks division

The Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has appointed Alain Girard as the new Head of its Banks division. The current Head of the Recovery and Resolution division will take up his new role on 1 April 2026. He succeeds Thomas Hirschi, who left FINMA at the end of August 2025. Simon Brönnimann, who oversaw the Banks division on an interim basis, will now assume leadership of the Recovery and Resolution division on an interim basis.

Sectors:

Banking & Credit Investment Management Wealth & Private Banking

Topics:

Prudential / Capital Requirements Operational Resilience / Outsourcing Senior Managers / Governance

BankWealth ManagerAsset Manager

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA News

December 9th 2025

Hedwig Ulmer Busenhart joins FINMA’s Executive Board

The Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has appointed Hedwig Ulmer Busenhart as the new Head of the Insurance division. The qualified mathematician and actuary has over 25 years of management experience in the insurance sector and will take up her position on 1 April 2026. She succeeds Birgit Rutishauser, who left FINMA in April 2025.

Sectors:

Insurance & Pensions

Topics:

Authorisation & Licensing Senior Managers / Governance

Insurance

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA News low

November 28th 2025

Swiss Takeover Board: Beat Fellmann’s term of office extended by one year

The Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA has extended Beat Fellmann’s term of office by one year until the end of 2026.

Sectors:

Banking & Credit Investment Management Wealth & Private Banking

Topics:

Authorisation & Licensing Senior Managers / Governance

BankWealth Manager

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA News low

November 19th 2025

Federal Council appoints new member to FINMA’s Board of Directors

The Federal Council has appointed Katia Villard to the Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. A professor of criminal law, Ms Villard will succeed Ursula Cassani Bossy who is stepping down from FINMA's Board of Directors at the end of the year.

Sectors:

Banking & Credit Investment Management Wealth & Private Banking

Topics:

Authorisation & Licensing Senior Managers / Governance

BankWealth Manager

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA News low

July 15th 2025

FINMA Executive Board: Thomas Hirschi to leave FINMA

Thomas Hirschi has decided to leave the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA effective 31 August 2025. The Head of the Banks division will pursue a new career outside FINMA. FINMA’s Board of Directors and Executive Board thank Thomas Hirschi for his valuable contribution during his time at FINMA.

Effective Date: 31 August 2025

Sectors:

Banking & Credit

Topics:

Authorisation & Licensing Senior Managers / Governance

Bank

View Original

🇨🇭 FINMA News low

June 25th 2025

Rene W. Keller resigns from FINMA’s Board of Directors

At its meeting on 25 June 2025, the Federal Council was informed of the resignation of Rene W. Keller from the Board of Directors of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA.

Sectors:

Banking & Credit Investment Management Wealth & Private Banking

Topics:

Authorisation & Licensing Senior Managers / Governance

BankWealth Manager

View Original