Leitartikel

Das Profiling im neuen Datenschutzrecht

The revised Data Protection Act will introduce the concept of profiling into Swiss law. This term will be defined in the same way as in the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as any automated processing of personal data to evaluate certain personal aspects relating to a natural person. Unlike the GDPR, the new Act will create a special category of high-risk profiling, which is…

Datenportabilität und ihre Umsetzung

The right to data portability will be introduced, as a first for Switzerland, with the revised Swiss Data Protection Act. Inspired by the GDPR but with a “Swiss finish”, data subjects may (if certain conditions are met) request the controller to transfer “their” personal data to them or another controller. However, a number of questions remain open, for example: Which type of data is subject to…

Die Strafbestimmungen des neuen DSG

As soon as the revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (DPA) will come into force, the cantonal prosecuting authorities will be entitled to impose heavy fines of up to CHF 250 000 on the person responsible for non-compliant behavior. While this may seem to be a low figure compared to the high figures provided for by the GDPR, the fines under the revised DPA are of personal nature and may not…

Transparence des traitements de données personnelles opérés par les organes fédéraux: un pas en avant, deux en arrière

The recent revisions of European data protection instruments have been marked by the desire to give data subjects back control over their data, in particular by improving the transparency of data processing. The same desire for enhanced visibility and intelligibility has motivated the Swiss legislator in the revision of the Data Protection Act. The fact remains that the objective has only been…

Können Investitionskontrollen für gleich lange Spiesse sorgen?

Amidst global protectionist tendencies and in view of major takeovers by foreign state-controlled companies calls for increased public control of foreign investment have been getting louder around the globe. Most recently, the Swiss parliament approved a motion obliging the Swiss government to prepare a draft bill regarding foreign investment screening. Apart from national security concerns,…

Le compliance officer face au risque pénal découlant du dispositif anti-blanchiment

In the financial sector, the function of compliance officer is closely linked to the fight against money laun­dering, which is one of the main risks for the Swiss financial centre. The profession has important responsibilities in this field and breaches of its obligations can lead to (administrative) criminal sanctions, in particular for money laundering or violation of the duty to report a…

Les effets des nouvelles règles sur la prescription en droit bancaire et financier

The partial reform of limitation rules in the Code of obligations, effective since 2020, has limited impact on the banking and financial sector. Yet specific matters call for renewed attention. We analyse the consequences of the new 3-year and 10-year limitation rule for claims based on torts and unjust enrichment, specifically in connection with defective transfers of funds, intermediated…

Consolidation in the Swiss Portfolio Management Industry – Selected Aspects of M&A Transactions

In the ongoing consolidation wave sweeping the wealth management industry in Switzerland and the rest of the world, Swiss portfolio managers have to be alert. Both as a potential buyer or seller, there are important points to keep in mind to gauge whether a share deal or asset deal is the right choice, whether the timing is right, and how to maximise the value of the transaction, while limiting…

Retro-Strafbarkeit nach Art. 158 StGB: Questions and (some) Answers

In 2018, the Swiss Supreme Court issued a landmark decision on payments from third parties in financial services (so-called inducements, kickbacks, or retrocessions). In essence, it held that the acceptance of inducements by asset managers and their concealment vis-a-vis the clients are a criminal offense. This article discusses the ramifications of the Supreme Court decision and explores some of…

Rechtsfragen des LIBOR-Wegfalls

For decades, the LIBOR has been the most widely used benchmark interest rate for financial contracts. At the end of 2021, following major manipulation scandals and a dwindling reliability of the rate as a benchmark, LIBOR will be discontinued for most currencies including the Swiss franc. As numerous LIBOR agreements such as credit agreements or capital market instruments (mainly OTC interest…