Our Banking & Finance team brings together seasoned lawyers with deep industry expertise and a constant focus on market and regulatory developments. The depth of experience of our Banking & Finance Group, combined with the sophistication and quality of the matters we handle, positions our firm among the leading players in Switzerland in this field. Our team is regularly recognized for its expertise and the excellence of its services.
We provide forward-thinking, strategic counsel grounded in in-depth regulatory knowledge, extensive practical experience, and a thorough command of market practice. Building long-term, trusted relationships with our clients is central to our approach. We are known for the dedication of our experienced lawyers, our responsiveness, and our ability to efficiently mobilize multidisciplinary teams and foreign counsels when matters require cross-border coordination.
Members of our team regularly speak at professional conferences and deliver training for the Swiss Bankers Association, the Swiss Association of Wealth Managers, and the Fund Academy.
Banking and Financial Regulation / Financial Services and Regulatory
We guide financial institutions and individuals through every stage of their regulatory journey – from initial structuring and licensing to ongoing compliance, restructurings and mergers.
Our services include:
- Licensing and authorizations of banks, securities firms, fund managers, branches and representative offices of foreign groups, independent wealth managers and trustees
- Structuring and registration of Swiss and foreign counsels
- Anti-money laundering compliance
- Regulatory advice and support in audit processes
- International administrative assistance
- Advice relating to the Berne Financial Service Agreement
Financing
We advise lenders and borrowers on securities-backed loans, trade finance, and commercial loans. Our expertise extends to syndicated loan transactions. We are particularly recognized for our in-depth knowledge of security interest-related issues and our ability to coordinate efficiently with foreign counsel in jurisdictions where the security interests are located.
Our services include:
- Asset, commercial, and real estate financing
- Syndicated loans transactions
- Trade finance
- Margin and Lombard lending
- Structuring and enforcement of pledges and other security arrangements
FINMA Enforcement and Criminal Proceedings in Regulatory Matters
We advise financial institutions and individuals in FINMA enforcement proceedings as well as related criminal matters. Our firm is regularly appointed by cantonal and federal authorities in connection with investigations and prudential proceedings. We also act as CDB-appointed investigators, nominated by the Board of the Swiss Bankers Association.
Our expertise covers:
- Advice in FINMA enforcement proceedings against banks, fund managers, wealth managers, trustees, and individuals
- Regulatory compliance and organizational restructuring
- Criminal proceedings in prudential matters
- Market abuse and price manipulation cases
Financial Litigation
Financial disputes are increasingly complex, requiring deep knowledge of financial products, industry practice and regulatory framework. Our decades of experience, a track record of numerous judicial proceedings in which we have been involved, particularly before the Complex Cases Chambers, and our thorough understanding of the regulatory environment make our team a leading player in this field.
Our positioning regularly leads to appointments as counsel or Swiss law experts in high-profile financial disputes before international commercial courts, including the London High Court, the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts, the Irish High Court, and the Singapore International Commercial Court.
Our services include:
- Financial disputes relating to asset management, wealth management, financial products, distribution, loans, and trade finance
- Strategic pre-litigation advice and risk management
- Enforcement of guarantees and security interests
- Swiss law advice and expert opinions in foreign proceedings
Collective Investment Schemes and Similar Structures
We provide comprehensive advice on the structuring, authorization, distribution, and ongoing operation of collective investment schemes and similar vehicles, both in Switzerland and internationally.
Our services include:
- Structuring, taxation, and registration of Swiss investment funds, and approval of foreign investment funds in Switzerland
- Authorizations for custodian banks, fund management companies, fund managers, and representatives of collective investment schemes
- Offering of collective investment schemes and structured products
- Coordination in the structuring of foreign investment vehicles
- Contractual structuring relating to distribution, asset management, custodian banking, representation, fund management, and SICAVs
Swiss stablecoin: Switzerland is playing its trump card in the race for regulation
/in Media and News, News Banking and Finance Frédérique Bensahel 2026 Groupe bancaire, Medias, News /by Yann BelliniSwitzerland faces a dual challenge: maintaining its competitiveness and appeal whilst ensuring investor protection and the stability of the financial system.
FBT Avocats SA is pleased to announce its recognition as a Leading Firm in the 2026 edition of Chambers and Partners Europe Guide
/in Media and News Banking and Finance Frédérique Bensahel 2026 Groupe bancaire, Medias /by Yann BelliniWe are honoured to have been ranked in the ‘Banking & Finance’ and ‘Investment Funds’ categories.
FBT Avocats SA is delighted to announce its recognition as a Leading Firm in the Legal 500 EMEA 2026 guide
/in Media and News Banking and Finance, Tax Frédérique Bensahel, Jean-Marie Kiener, Véronique Chatelain Gomez 2026 Groupe bancaire, Groupe fiscal, Medias /by Yann BelliniFBT Avocats SA is delighted to announce its recognition as a Leading Firm in the Banking and Finance, Private Client, and Tax categories in the Legal 500 EMEA 2026 guide.