Swiss Finance: Banking, Finance, and Digitalization - Hardcover

by Henri B. Meier (Author), John E. Marthinsen (Author), Pascal A. Gantenbein (Author)

Provides thorough coverage of Swiss financial markets, their development, status, and expected position in the global economy

Discusses the dramatic changes that have taken place in global financial markets, which have affected Swiss financial governance, regulation, financial structures, and institutions

Covers new topics such as financial digitalization, FinTech, the collaborative economy, the impact of cryptocurrencies, distributed ledger technologies, and smart contracts

Back Jacket

"Switzerland has always been a haven of stability and security. But the Swiss financial marketplace is in the midst of immense changes brought on by the changing global environment. Whether you are a Swiss banker or a Swiss banking client, this book will serve you as an indispensable companion and guide to the Finanzplatz Schweiz."

--Guy Spier, Value Invester, Switzerland

This open access book provides a thorough explanation of Swiss financial markets and the banking secrecy rules for which this country has become known. It covers key topics, which are essential for practitioners and academics to understand about this powerhouse in world financial markets, in general, and private wealth administration, in particular. If there were an overriding goal, it would be to answer this question: "How could a small country in the middle of Europe and surrounded by economic and financial giants, like Germany and France, develop financial marketsthat are globally competitive?" Swiss Finance explains the dramatic pressures brought to bear on the Swiss financial markets during past two decades, perhaps none of them so great as the competitive challenges caused by changes in Switzerland's banking secrecy laws and practices, as well the shifting tide of new wealth generation toward Asia (e.g., China, Singapore, and South Korea) and large emerging markets. In doing so, it separates myth from reality, providing an excellent basis for predicting future changes the nation will need to make in order to stay competitive.

Henri B. Meier has been founder, Chairman or member of the Board of Directors of several venture capital companies, funds and foundations. Previously, he was member of the Roche Group Executive Committee and its Strategy Committee and for over 16 years Chief Financial Officer of the Roche group, and for 12 years a member of its Board. He also was founding Chairman of the Board of Directors of Givaudan AG as well as member of the Board of Directors of several Swiss Corporations. Before joining Roche, he was a member of the Executive Committee of Handelsbank National Westminster, responsible for the development of investment banking operations, member of the Executive Committee of Motor Columbus Ing. and Division Chief at the World Bank in Washington.

John E. Marthinsen is Professor of Economics and International Business at Babson College in Babson Park, MA, where he holds The Distinguished Chair in Swiss Economics. Dr. Marthinsen earned his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in Storrs, where he was awarded Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi academic honors.

Pascal Gantenbein, MRICS, is the Henri-B.-Meier professor of Financial Management at the University of Basel. He also serves as the Dean of Studies at University of Basel's Faculty of Business and Economics. His academic interests are in the areas of corporate finance and valuation, portfolio management and risk management, as well as real estate finance and venture capital.

Samuel S. Weber is an independent wealth manager based in Zug, Switzerland. He studied business administration at the Universities of Basel and St. Gallen and has been working as an independent wealth manager since 2012. He is a passionate value investor, who is focused on investing in high-quality opportunities in the stock market with the aim of fostering productive investments in Switzerland and Europe. As a member of the Board of Trustees of the HBM Fondation, he is also committed to the professional development of young people and young adults.

Author Biography

Henri B. Meier holds a Master's degree and Ph.D. in Economics and Business Administration from the University of St. Gallen. He also holds an Honorary Ph.D. from the University of Basel and is a Senator at the University of St. Gallen. Dr. Meier has founded 20 start-ups, including HBM Healthcare Investments, and numerous foundations, such as the HBM Fondation, Pestalozzi School Camps, and HBM Unternehmerschule at the University of St. Gallen. His work as the former CFO, board member, and Group Executive Committee member at Roche Holding Inc. earned him prestigious honors, including the "European CFO Excellence Award." In recognition of his lifetime achievements, Dr. Meier was recognized in 2021 as one of the 24 most outstanding managers in 160 years of Swiss history. Henri B. Meier has worked as the chief accountant for Williams Brothers (Caracas, Venezuela), as an economist, financial analyst, investment officer, and division chief at the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank (Washington D.C.), and as an Executive Committee member and head of Investment Banking at Handelsbank National Westminster (Zürich, Switzerland).

John E. Marthinsen is a Professor of Economics and International Business at Babson College in Babson Park, MA, where he holds The Distinguished Chair in Swiss Economics. Dr. Marthinsen is the recipient of multiple teaching awards and the author of many books and articles. His teaching and research focus on International Macroeconomics, Risk Management, International Finance, and Cryptocurrencies. John Marthinsen has extensive consulting and business experience, working for domestic and international companies and the U.S. government. He has served on the United Nations Association's Economic Policy Council and lectured at the Universities of Bern and Basel in Switzerland and the University of Nürnberg in Germany.

Pascal A. Gantenbein is the Henri-B.-Meier professor of Financial Management at the University of Basel. He also serves as the Dean of Studies at University of Basel's Faculty of Business and Economics. His academic interests are in the areas of corporate finance and valuation, portfolio management and risk management, as well as real estate finance and venture capital. In addition, Pascal Gantenbein gained valuable work experience in the insurance industry and as a financial advisor. Today, he acts as a board member in the financial sector.

Samuel S. Weber is an independent wealth manager based in Zug, Switzerland. He studied business administration, strategy, and international management at the Universities of Basel and St. Gallen. Since 2012, he has worked as an independent wealth manager, focusing on value investing (i.e., buying undervalued companies). His long-term success in public stock markets has come from distinguishing risk, defined as the permanent loss of capital from volatility. As a member of the Board of Trustees of theHBM Fondation, Samuel Weber is also committed to the professional development of young people.