Commentaries

On June 28, 2022, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) published two self-regulatory guidelines on sustainable finance for its members. The first guideline concerns the integration of ESG preferences and risks by financial service providers (providers) in their investment advisory and asset management activities. The second directive is aimed at mortgage providers, who are required to address the issue of energy efficiency and the preservation of the long-term value of buildings when granting financing. The present commentary is limited to presenting[...]

In a ruling 4A_525/2021 intended for publication, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court clarifies the scope of res judicata of a first judgment in the context of a second lawsuit concerning a partial action for damages brought by a customer against her bank. Following turbulence on the financial markets in 2018, the foreign currency positions held by a company with a Swiss bank experienced significant fluctuations in value, resulting in insufficient account coverage. On August 10, 2018, the bank sends a[...]

In a ruling 6B_45/2021 of April 27, 2022, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court confirms the conviction (in absentia) of a former bank employee - whom we shall refer to as Albert - for economic intelligence services (Art. 273 StGB) and money laundering (Art. 305bis StGB). In short, Albert was accused of having, between 2005 and 2012, collected and stolen customer data before selling it to the German authorities in summer 2012. Then, in August 2012, he opened an account in[...]

What information can a client receive from her bank in a dispute over a margin call? The Swiss Federal Supreme Court recently addressed this question in ruling 4A_599/2019 (commented in cdbf.ch/1190/). It is now confronted with this question again in ruling 4A_436/2020, which concerns the same set of facts. In October 2012, a Lebanese company opened an account with a Swiss bank. The client invested in "in-house" OTC options and structured products designed and issued by the bank, which was[...]

The Swiss Federal Supreme Court recently examined the scope of a bank's obligation to render an account to its client, not in relation to retrocessions received by the bank (a question which has been the subject of abundant case law, cf. cdbf.ch/1145), but in relation to retrocessions allegedly paid by the bank to a third party (TF 4A_436/2020 of April 28, 2022). This ruling was issued in the context of the contractual relationship between a Lebanese company (client) and a[...]

In a ruling 2C_380/2021 of February 28, 2022, intended for publication, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court examines a case involving the transfer of several real estate assets from an occupational pension scheme to an investment foundation whose investors are exclusively pension funds. A pension fund owns a large number of properties, mainly in the canton of Zurich. It wishes to transfer its real estate holdings to an investment foundation - also dedicated to occupational benefits - in exchange for participation[...]

In a ruling 4A_66/2022 of March 25 concerning a standby letter of credit, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court ruled that the existence of criminal proceedings potentially directed against the standby beneficiary justified a stay of the civil proceedings aimed at determining the merits of the standby claim. A bank was mandated to issue several standby letters of credit ("LCS") in favor of a long-standing customer, the purpose being to guarantee the beneficiary payment by C ("C") of the agreed price[...]

In an execution-only banking relationship, does the bank necessarily have to make good the loss suffered by the customer when it acquires securities without prior authorization? Case 4A_469/2020 answers in the negative. In April 2005, a customer opened an account with a bank in Lugano, and to this end signed the general terms and conditions, as well as a residual bank clause. Following the opening of the banking relationship, the customer invested in equity funds through an advisor at another[...]

In a ruling 2C_624/2021 of March 28, 2022, intended for publication, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court examines the question of the levying of transfer duties when a contractual investment fund changes management. Specifically, the case concerns a real estate fund reserved for qualified investors. In 2019, a contract provides for the "gratuitous" transfer of management from Ancienne SA to Nouvelle SA. It also stipulates that the new management takes over from the former management as debtor of the fund's mortgage[...]

Switzerland's four largest gold importers can rest assured: tax secrecy should (again) prevail over transparency, according to Federal Administrative Court ruling A-741/2019 of March 16, 2022. At the root of this case is the Society for Threatened Peoples. In 2018, this association submitted a request to the Federal Office of Customs and Border Protection (FOCB) based on the Transparency Act (LTrans). It wished to obtain complete statistics on gold imports by the four largest importers, including quantities, broken down by[...]

How should a bank react to contradictory instructions issued within hours of each other by the joint account holders? In whose hands must it act? In ruling 4A_630/2020, the Swiss Federal Supreme Court clarifies the rights and obligations of a bank receiving contradictory transfer orders relating to a joint account. A father and son opened a joint account with a bank, on which each had individual signing authority. The assets in this account amount to around EUR 20,000,000. On the[...]

The Swiss Federal Audit Office has carried out an audit to assess the effectiveness of MROS's work. The report focuses on three areas: the organization of MROS ; the processing of information by MROS; and collaboration with other stakeholders in the fight against money laundering (private sector, supervisory and prosecuting authorities, and other financial intelligence units). With regard to the first point, the audit concludes that the integration of MROS into fedpol is appropriate, but recommends that internal regulations be[...]

On March 24, 2022, the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) published a report on decentralized finance (DeFi). This report aims to present and analyze the functioning of DeFi in terms of technology, products and services, and key participants, while taking into account various risks. The report, although relatively succinct, is relatively dense. This commentary is limited to some of the salient points. Between questions and recognition The main objective of DeFi, recognized by IOSCO in its report, is to[...]

At its meeting of March 11, 2022, the Federal Council approved a revision of the Ordinance on the Organization of Government and Administration (OLOGA). A new art. 24a OLOGA has been adopted to specify the Federal Council's tasks in terms of "supervision and control" ("Aufsicht und Steuerung") of the federal administration's autonomous entities ("Verselbstständigte Einheiten"). Could this revision - which comes into force on July 1, 2022 - undermine FINMA's independence? The current framework governing the supervision of entities made[...]

India requests information from Switzerland about Anne. Anne is said to hold an account with bank ‘B.’ through trust structures (Truststrukturen). After a procedural mishap, the FTA agrees to pass on to its counterpart the information that the person concerned is a ‘beneficiary of the overlying trust of the company holding the account with the number xxx […]’. Anne challenges this decision before the Federal Administrative Court, which partially upholds her appeal. Still dissatisfied, she appealed to the Federal Court[...]

In rulings 4A 365/2021, 4A 366/2021, 4A_367/2021 and 4A 368/2021, the Federal Court looks at the contractual relationship between an asset management company and external managers: in this case, it will be categorised as an employment contract, despite the employer's attempt to attribute a different assessment to it from the perspective of the delegation of tasks. Four managers approached an asset management company with a view to a collaboration agreement for the creation and management of an investment fund. The[...]

Following the US sanctions against Russia for its annexation of Crimea, the Federal Supreme Court, in its ruling 4A_84/2021, examined the scope of the grounds justifying a refusal of the payment services falling under the universal service of the Post Office. In April 2018, Viktor Vekselberg, a Russian citizen and Swiss resident, was placed on the list of Specially Designated National and Blocked Persons (SDN) by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as part of the sanctions against[...]

In its report on digital finance, the Federal Council defines the fields of action in the domain for the coming years. It notes that the digital transformation of the financial sector represents a strong potential for growth for Switzerland as a business centre. This transformation can lead to an improvement in the efficiency of the financial markets, increased transparency, better matching of customer services and a reduction in costs. However, the Federal Council notes that the use of new technologies[...]

Can a bank be guilty of unfair management in the context of the realisation of assets following a margin call? Do the transaction confirmations provided by the bank constitute evidence with increased probative value under Art. 251 PC? In the 6B_1381/2021 ruling, the Federal Court answers both questions in the negative. A client entered into an execution only options and futures trading contract with his bank in 2015. This contract obliged the client to meet the margin requirements that the[...]

Lawyers only focus on the verb. The received idea is almost correct, but therefore false: they also become infatuated with deeds. Art. 18 para. 1 CO, central to our legal system, illustrates this when it states that the real and common intention of the parties takes precedence over their inaccurate expressions. The bias in favour of the primacy of will is, moreover, nothing specific to Switzerland. Inherited from Roman law, it is consequently one ‘of the dominant features of the[...]

In the 1B_537/2021 ruling, the Federal Court examines the question of whether, in the context of a transfer of assets within the meaning of art. 69 et seq. LFus, the acquiring company acquires the legal standing of the transferor's plaintiff. On 15 December 2017, a foundation filed a criminal complaint against its former secretary general for acts committed in the management of the foundation from 2012 to 2017. The public prosecutor's office then opened an investigation for unfair management (art.[...]

The sealing route is not open to the bank, some of whose employees are being prosecuted for violating the obligation to communicate (art. 9 and 37 LBA). The Federal Supreme Court (FSC) ruled in this way in two (surprisingly) similar cases, which were the subject of three rulings, the first dated 14 December 2021, the second two dated 20 December 2021 (1B_49/2021, 1B_461/2021 and 1B_243/2021). For ease of reading, the following lines focus on the first decision. On 7 November[...]

In response to the postulate of 16 August 2019 of the Council of States' Committee for the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy (CEATE-CE), the Federal Council published its report “How can Switzerland make financial flows consistent with climate objectives?” on 17 November 2021. In it, the Federal Council examines various measures that could more effectively involve the financial sector in the transition to a ‘net zero’ economy. The conclusion of voluntary sectoral agreements and greater transparency are the approaches that[...]

In the judgement 4A_36/2021 intended for publication, the Federal Supreme Court considered the question of the creditor's standing to bring an action for liability (art. 754 CO). It considered, incidentally, the effects of the assignment of claims and the consequences thereof for the original holder of the claim. An open-ended investment company, based in the Cayman Islands, holds several sub-funds. These sub-funds are autonomous, but do not have legal personality. One of these sub-funds participates in real estate projects in[...]

What procedural protection can be granted to the minutes of the board of directors (and other internal information) of a bank? In ATF 148 III 84 (4A_58/2021), the Federal Tribunal specifies the scope of the measures that a civil court may order in order to protect the interests worthy of protection of a party. A Guernsey company is suing a Swiss bank for damages before the Zurich Commercial Court. In its response, the bank asks the court to prohibit the[...]

Should the use of an algorithmic trading programme be considered a substitution within the meaning of Art. 398 para. 3 CO ? Does the agent violate his duty to inform if he does not regularly inform his principal about the progress of market making? The Federal Supreme Court answers both questions in the negative in its judgement 4A_305/2021. A company incorporated under Israeli law enters into a mandate agreement with a Swiss bank. Under this agreement, the bank undertakes to[...]

India sends a request for administrative assistance to Switzerland. The request apparently concerns Alain, who has lost his father (the late Denis). This circumstance is going to be a source of confusion: is India interested in Alain or in the inheritance of the late Denis? Before delving into this question, let us note that three bank accounts have been identified as relevant in Switzerland. Alain and the late Denis were joint holders of account number 1. The company ‘C.’ is[...]

In the 4A_263/2021 ruling, the Federal Supreme Court analyses the liability of an asset management company under Art. 55 CO. The company had hired an asset manager as an external manager who had adopted a risky investment strategy. This strategy resulted in substantial losses for the client. In March 2008, the client opened an account with a first Swiss bank and entrusted the management of all his assets to a trader specialising in derivatives. In May 2008, the client suffered[...]

In a ruling dated 6 August 2021 (4A_659/2020), the Federal Court specified the cases in which a bank may invoke international sanctions not recognised in Switzerland to refuse to execute a client's instruction. On 6 August 2013, a Panamanian company opened a bank account with a Swiss bank. At the end of the company's chain of ownership is Mr Viktor Vekselberg, who indirectly controls the company. Furthermore, the company indicates that Mr Viktor Vekselberg is the beneficial owner of the[...]

On 4 November 2021, the Takeover Committee issued Decision 795/01 in which an exemption from the mandatory offer was granted to the group of shareholders made up of the Hoffmann family (hereinafter: the applicants) in the context of a planned buyback of own shares relating to a block of Roche shares held by Novartis. In order to reduce its shareholding, Novartis entered into discussions with the Roche board of directors to buy back and cancel 53.3 million Roche shares. As[...]