Portfolio Management License - Switzerland

About Switzerland

Switzerland has a flourishing asset management business, with various domestic and foreign enterprises based there. These firms provide a wide range of investment products and services to both institutional and private clients.

Switzerland has a long history of portfolio management skill. Asset managers in the country are noted for their emphasis on risk management, diversification, and long-term investment methods. They offer customised portfolio solutions to clients based on their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and preferences.

Switzerland is located in the centre of Europe. Its 1,935km border is shared by five countries: Italy, France, Germany, Austria, and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Switzerland is separated into three geographical regions.

Switzerland’s current population is 8,836,389 as of May 20, 2023, according to Worldometer’s elaboration of the most recent United Nations data. According to UN data, the population of Switzerland in 2020 is predicted to be 8,654,622 people at the midpoint of the year. Switzerland’s population is equivalent to 0.11% of the world’s total.

Over 60% of Swiss people speak German as their first language. They do not speak standard German, but rather a variety of Alemmanic dialects known as Swiss German. French is the primary language in the Romandie, Switzerland’s French-speaking region.

Switzerland has a statute-based legal system that is independent of the other government branches, founded on the tradition of civil law. Except as expressly mentioned by the country’s Constitution as belonging to the federal authorities, all legislative power rests with the country’s 26 cantons.

  1. Respectful jurisdiction
  2. Financial stability
  3. Low tax rates which is based on a clear-cantonal tax system
  4. Friendly business environment
  5. Banking advantage
  6. Limited liability of a company
  7. Possibility to give shares
  8. No additional exams or test must be passed for appointed persons

General

License: Portfolio Management
Timeframe for Approval: 3 to 4 months
Regulator: Switzerland’s Financial Market Authority

Company Structure

Local Director: Minimum of one director (can be only natural persons, at least one must be of Swiss nationality)
Local Shareholder: Minimum of one shareholder (can be legal entity or natural person, no nationality restrictions)
Local Registered Office: Required
Local Staff: Required
Compliance Officer: Required
AML/KYC: Required
Audit: Required
Economic Substance: Required
Corporate Tax Rate: 14.93 %
Currency: Swiss franc
Minimum Paid-up Capital: CHF 20,000
Capital Requirement: CHF 20,000
Tax Structure: No income or capital gains tax

The following actions will be taken in order to receive a licence:

  1. Initial validation
  2. All necessary documentation and applications must be prepared.
  3. Application for firm name reservation
  4. Application and document preparation and submission to the Registry
  5. The incorporation of the business
  6. Account opening at a local bank
  7. ARIF Application
  1. Discretionary Portfolio Management
  2. Investment Advisory
  3. Asset Allocation
  4. Security Selection
  5. Risk Management
  6. Performance Reporting
  7. Regulatory Compliance

Please provide us with the following documents.

  • Notarized copy of valid passport (each of Director)
  • Notarized copy of proof of address (ex. Utility bill of each Director)
  • Bank reference (of each Director)
  • Legal reference (of each Director)
  • CV (of each Director)
  • Diploma of higher education

For corporate shareholders need to provide the following:

  • Passport of an Authorized Person of the legal entity (to be certified true copy by Notary Public or Embassy)
  • Utility Bill as proof of residency of an Authorized Person for the body Corporate (to be certified true copy Notary Public or Embassy
  • Latest CV detailing Educational background and Working Experiences of an Authorized Person for the body Corporate
  • Registries of Company listing down the names of Director, Shareholder, Auditor, Company Secretary (to be certified true copy by the Company Secretary or Notary public)
  • Certificate of Incorporation (to be certified true copy by the Company Secretary or Notary public)
  • Certificate of Registered Address of the Company (to be certified true copy by the Company Secretary or Notary public)
  • Copies of three (1) year audited financial statements/annual reports preceding the application
  1. Preparation and drafting of narrative business plan.
  2. Preparation and drafting of current financial statements.
  3. Preparation and drafting of financial projections.
  4. Preparation and drafting of personal financial statements for owners
  5. Preparation and submission of application with Swiss ARIF/SRO.
  6. Preparation and drafting of responses to ARIF/SRO application inquiries.
  7. Identification and engagement of auditor and local director
  8. Facilitate opening of bank accounts and prime broker trading accounts.
  9. Preparation and drafting of AML/KYC and related policies and procedures.
  10. Preparation and drafting of client agreements and mandatory disclosures.