What is the CET-S proposal for UBS?

The Committee on Economic Affairs and Taxation of States (CET-S) has drawn up a regulatory proposal for UBS as a systemically important bank. The proposal includes additional capital requirements and, crucially supported by the ASIB, the binding inclusion of employees' interests in the industry discipline. The proposal aims to balance the stability of the Swiss financial hub with the preservation of employment levels in the banking sector.

What does the ASIB ask for in the UBS policy?

The ASIB strongly advocates the introduction of mandatory social plans for systemically important institutions such as UBS. This demand is motivated by the serious employment situation in the banking sector: the unemployment rate has already reached the critical levels of the 2010 financial crisis, and major banks have announced significant layoffs (Raiffeisen, Swiss Life) or relocations (Vontobel).

Why does the ASIB support this regulation if it involves additional capital requirements?

The ASIB welcomes the CET-S compromise because it recognises that a well-capitalised and stable bank is a bank that can provide secure employment in the long term. The ASIB believes that the regulatory package adequately balances the need for stability in the Swiss financial hub with the need to preserve the jobs of bank staff.

What happens now? When will the legislation be approved?

The CET-S proposal is currently being discussed in the Swiss Federal Parliament. It is up to the federal chambers (National Chamber and Council of States) to decide on the legislative package. The ASIB has urged Parliament to continue with determination and to support the measure definitively. The precise timing of approval has not yet been specified.

Who is directly affected by this legislation?

The legislation directly affects employees of systemically important banks, with the main focus on UBS. The implications extend to all employees of other significant credit institutions and to the entire Swiss financial system, as social plan obligations set a standard of social responsibility for the industry.

Bank employees: ASIB accepts UBS regulations (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 1 September 2026

Swiss bank sign symbolizing the debate on financial regulation and employment in Switzerland's banking sector

The ASIB supports the CET-S's proposal to regulate UBS and calls for mandatory social plans as the banking sector faces an unprecedented employment crisis.

Context

In brief

ASIB fully supports CET-S proposal to regulate UBS
Calls for mandatory social plans for systemically important institutions
Unemployment in the banking sector has reached the levels of the 2010 crisis
Raiffeisen and Swiss Life announce significant redundancies

Key Facts

What: Federal regulation for the regulation of UBS as a systemic bank
Who: Swiss Association of Bank Employees (ASIB) and Commission for Economic Affairs and Taxation of the States (CET-S)
Where: Switzerland, federal parliamentary debate
When: Proposal in the parliamentary deliberation phase
Main requirements: Mandatory social plans, binding inclusion of employee interests, additional UBS capital
Employment environment: Unemployment at 2010 level, Raiffeisen and Swiss Life redundancies, relocation of Vontobel headquarters

The Swiss Association of Bank Employees (ASIB) has expressed its full support for the proposal of the Commission for Economic Affairs and Taxation of the States (CET-S) for the regulation of UBS as a systemically important bank. In a recently issued statement, the union particularly welcomes the binding inclusion of employees' interests in the future regulation of the sector, a victory strongly advocated by the trade union movement.

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Operational details

Context of crisis in the banking sector

The ASIB's support for the CET-S regulation emerges from an analysis of a very serious employment situation in the Swiss financial sector. When the unemployment rate reaches the levels of the 2010 crisis, it means that the bank labor market is under significant structural stresses. The waves of redundancies announced by Raiffeisen and Swiss Life, together with the relocation of the Vontobel headquarters, signal that the large credit institutions are undergoing deep restructuring. In this scenario, the mandatory social plans proposed by the ASIB are not an ancillary demand, but an essential protection for workers who risk losing their jobs. The CET-S proposal recognizes this urgency and codifies it in regulatory form.

The Importance of Employee Inclusion

One of the innovative aspects of the CET-S proposal, highlighted by the ASIB, is the binding inclusion of employees' interests in the future regulatory framework of the sector. Traditionally, the regulation of systemic banks has focused on financial stability, capital adequacy and risk management. Binding inclusion of workers' rights and interests represents a paradigm shift: it recognises that the soundness of a credit institution does not only depend on the strength of the balance sheet, but also on the responsible management of human capital and the maintenance of sustainable employment levels. The ASIB argues that this broader perspective protects both employees and the entire financial system.

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Key points

The legislative path and the next steps

The CET-S proposal is currently being discussed in the Swiss Federal Parliament. The role of the committee was crucial: it worked out a compromise that combines the regulatory needs of systemic banks with the employment protection bodies. It is now up to the federal chambers (National Chamber and Council of States) to decide on the overall regulatory package. The ASIB has explicitly urged Parliament to continue with determination along the path outlined by the CET-S and to support the measure definitively. This means that the political battle for the passage of the law is still ongoing and requires the support of political forces that recognise the importance of employment protection.

Who is affected by the legislation

The legislation directly affects employees of systemically important banks, with a particular focus on UBS. However, the implications extend to a wider circle: employees of other significant credit institutions, the Swiss financial system as a whole, and indirectly the banks' clients and stakeholders. The requirement for social plans for systemic banks sets an important precedent: it states that when a strategically important financial institution experiences employment difficulties, the federal state can demand that protective measures be taken for workers. If you are a bank worker concerned about employment, you can consultare gli annunci di lavoro to explore possible alternative opportunities in the Swiss labor market. This raises the standard of social responsibility for the Swiss banking sector.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CET-S proposal for UBS?: The Committee on Economic Affairs and Taxation of States (CET-S) has drawn up a regulatory proposal for UBS as a systemically important bank. The proposal includes additional capital requirements and, crucially supported by the ASIB, the binding inclusion of employees' interests in the industry discipline. The proposal aims to balance the stability of the Swiss financial hub with the preservation of employment levels in the banking sector.
What does the ASIB ask for in the UBS policy?: The ASIB strongly advocates the introduction of mandatory social plans for systemically important institutions such as UBS. This demand is motivated by the serious employment situation in the banking sector: the unemployment rate has already reached the critical levels of the 2010 financial crisis, and major banks have announced significant layoffs (Raiffeisen, Swiss Life) or relocations (Vontobel).
Why does the ASIB support this regulation if it involves additional capital requirements?: The ASIB welcomes the CET-S compromise because it recognises that a well-capitalised and stable bank is a bank that can provide secure employment in the long term. The ASIB believes that the regulatory package adequately balances the need for stability in the Swiss financial hub with the need to preserve the jobs of bank staff.
What happens now? When will the legislation be approved?: The CET-S proposal is currently being discussed in the Swiss Federal Parliament. It is up to the federal chambers (National Chamber and Council of States) to decide on the legislative package. The ASIB has urged Parliament to continue with determination and to support the measure definitively. The precise timing of approval has not yet been specified.
Who is directly affected by this legislation?: The legislation directly affects employees of systemically important banks, with the main focus on UBS. The implications extend to all employees of other significant credit institutions and to the entire Swiss financial system, as social plan obligations set a standard of social responsibility for the industry.