Raiffeisen cuts up to 180 jobs (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Raiffeisen Switzerland cuts up to 180 jobs by 2027
• Savings programme: cost reduction of CHF 60 million
• Structural reorganisation from October 2026

Key facts

• What: Job cuts with structural reorganization in six departments
• When: September-October 2026 start, completion by 2027
• Who: Raiffeisen Switzerland, national cooperative institute
• Employees: Currently about 13,000 total employees
• Amount: Up to 180 posts eliminated; CHF 60 million cost savings

Raiffeisen Switzerland, the cooperative institution that employs a total of around 13,000 employees, has announced a savings programme that will see up to 180 jobs cut by 2027. The goal is to reduce personnel costs and overheads by about CHF 60 million over the next year and a half.

More than half of the posts will be eliminated through channels that minimise direct social impacts: the natural fluctuation of staff, the abolition of vacancies, the reduction of external staff and early retirements. An approach that allows the institution to achieve efficiency targets without resorting massively to direct redundancies.

Structural Reorganization and New Leaders

At the same time, Raiffeisen Switzerland is reorganising at a structural level. Starting in October, the institute will be divided into six departments, two of which

Operational details

Impact on the national labour market

The reduction of up to 180 positions in an institution employing 13,000 employees represents a significant signal for the Swiss labour market in the banking-cooperative sector. Raiffeisen's weight in the Swiss financial system makes these cuts newsworthy for national employment dynamics. For those looking for jobs in the financial sector, consulting the opportunità di lavoro in Svizzeras can help identify positions at other institutions during this streamlining cycle.

The decision to prioritise natural fluctuation and early retirement over direct redundancies represents a managerial choice that attempts to balance economic efficiency with social responsibility. However, for Raiffeisen employees, the coming months remain a period of uncertainty, especially for those operating in roles that could flow into the new departmental structures or be affected by non-recruitment resulting from the abolition of vacancies.

Sector rationalization context

This savings program is part of a broader trend of rationalization in the Swiss banking-insurance sector, where competitive pressures, digital innovation and stringent profitability requirements push institutions to optimize organizational structures. The reorganization into six departments with renewed focus on \"Products and Solutions\" suggests a

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Key points

If you are a Raiffeisen employee: timeline and immediate actions

If you work at Raiffeisen Switzerland, the coming months will be crucial for planning your career path. The timeline is clear: in September, Roland Altwegg and Helen Fricker are leaving; in October, the new structure with six departments takes effect; by 2027, cuts of up to 180 positions will be completed. It is essential to stay informed through the institution's official channels (intranet, HR management communications) about restructuring developments. Wait for formal announcements on how your role will be placed in the six new departments and who your direct supervisor will be.

Update your profile and plan your personal scenario

Regardless of your current role at Raiffeisen, now is the time to update your CV and LinkedIn profile. If your position were to be affected by the cuts, you'll already have a competitive profile ready for the market. Use the Swiss salary calculator to check your federal, cantonal, and municipal deductions, and plan a 'what if' economic scenario. If you access early retirement or another exit measure, the institution should communicate the financial details (severance, incentives). Document every agreement officially.

Checks to perform now

• Contact HR: Request clarification on your position in the new six-department structure and your new direct supervisor.
• Monitor opportunities: Check the job postings in Switzerland for alternative opportunities in the financial sector.
• Contractual rights: Check if Raiffeisen applies a collective labor agreement (CLA) and what protections it provides for downsizing situations.
• Pension/Social Security: If you access early retirement, explicitly ask HR how your pension coverage is managed until the reference age.

Source: swissinfo.ch