Tag Archives: 3) Swiss Markets and News

The metaverse is the latest technology frontier that banks are just starting to explore. Zuma Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo A bank client attaches her ‘non-fungible token’ personal identity to a digital wallet, containing both traditional money and cryptocurrencies, and accesses decentralised financial investments via the metaverse. Despite the unfamiliar terminology, this is not science fiction. This is a new type of banking that is already active in conservative...

E-voting: for opponents unsafe, for supporters a way to boost voter turnout. © Keystone / Jean-christophe Bott The Swiss Post’s e-vote system is opening itself to attacks by ethical hackers in an effort to weed out security flaws. The window for the test runs until September 2, during which time hackers will be able to launch attacks on the source code under realistic conditions, Swiss Post said on Monday. Sample voting cards will be provided to the hackers, who will...

These measures, intended to mitigate a risk of liquidity problems at Sberbank (Switzerland), will remain in force until September 1 © Keystone / Michael Buholzer The Swiss financial regulator (FINMA) has extended previously imposed protective measures at the Zurich-based subsidiary of Russian bank Sberbank. These measures, intended to mitigate a risk of liquidity problems at Sberbank (Switzerland), will remain in force until September 1, 2022, FINMA said in a...

Credit and debit cards are more popular than cash payments the survey has confirmed. Keystone/Martin Ruetschi A new survey has confirmed a growing role of debit and credit cards as popular payment method in Switzerland. Some 52% of respondents in a survey said either of the cards were absolutely indispensable for them, the independent online comparison service, moneyland.ch, said. The share of respondents who prefer cash dropped to 30%, down 4% on the previous year,...

in 2021, about 40% of gas consumed in the European Union came from Russia. EU states accuse Russia of squeezing supplies in retaliation for Western sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Keystone / Jens Buettner The energy crisis in Europe continues to make headlines in Switzerland. This was reflected in the Sunday press which focused on German pressure on Switzerland to implement a gas saving plan, a petition to speed up hydroelectric projects and a spike in Swiss...

Federal Councillors’ trip at Schloessli Woerth in Neuhausen am Rheinfall in Schaffhausen, Thursday, June 30, 2022. Keystone Nearly two out of three Swiss (64%) believe that Swiss government members do not work smoothly together, according to a survey carried out by the Sotomo research institute. The Swiss government consists of the Federal Council which comprises seven members, each of whom heads a ministry. There are clear tensions and rivalries in the executive...

Ukrainians receive humanitarian aid from the Worldwide Food Program (WFP) at a school building damaged by recent shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, July 15, 2022. Keystone / Sergey Kozlov The humanitarian charity Swiss Solidarity raised CHF126 million ($132.4 million) to help Ukrainian refugees and support local journalists. But Ukrainian authorities say they have yet to receive anything and appear to be getting impatient. The foundation explains it works on a long-term...

Skyguide has doubled wages for first-year trainees from CHF2,000 to CHF4,000 a month © Keystone / Martial Trezzini Swiss air navigation service provider Skyguide says it is struggling to recruit air traffic controllers, especially in French-speaking Switzerland. Only five people are starting training in September, although there are 16 posts to be filled. “This is a general trend in Europe, but it is particularly pronounced in western Switzerland,” said Skyguide boss...

Like most central banks the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is tasked with monetary stability. However, in the process it can inadvertently generate large profits and losses. SNB – BernWhen monetary policy is expansionist and the resulting assets held by the SNB rise in value it can generate large profits as it has over the last few years. However, when the Swiss franc strengthens and asset values slump the bank can generate large losses as it did in the first half of...

High losses had been expected, but the figure is higher than economists had predicted. © Keystone / Peter Klaunzer The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has taken a hit of CHF95.2 billion ($100 billion) for the first half of this year, mainly owing to losses on foreign currency positions. After a loss of CHF32.8 billion in the first quarter, another CHF62.4 billion was added in the second quarter. High losses had been expected, but the figure is higher than economists had...