SNB: Up to six billion per year to the Confederation and cantons

Context

In brief

• FDF-SNB agreement for the financial years 2026-2030
• Annual maximum of six billion to the Confederation and cantons
• Base of two billion and four additions of one billion
• Minimum provisions from 10% to 8% from 2026

Key Facts

• Signatories → FDF and SNB
• Period → financial years 2026-2030
• Maximum distribution → six billion francs per year
• Basic amount → two billion francs
• Possible additions → four of a billion
• Profit thresholds → CHF 10, 20, 30 and CHF 40 billion
• Minimum provisions → 10% to 8% from financial year 2026
• Condition → financial situation of the SNB

Up to six billion francs per year can be paid to the Confederation and the cantons for the financial years 2026-2030. The limit depends on the financial situation of the SNB. The new agreement was signed by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) and the issuing institution, as reported in a statement released on Thursday evening.

The structure of the maximum amount

The mechanism starts with a basic amount of two billion francs. This amount is paid out when the balance sheet profit amounts to at least two billion. Four distributions, each of one billion, can be added to the basis, activated when the profit reaches 10, 20, 30 or 40 billion francs respectively.

The ceiling of six billion is therefore the sum of the base and the four possible additions. The agreement links the level of possible sums to the achievement of determined profit values. For the Confederation and the cantons, it thus establishes a multi-annual framework linked to the SNB's results.

Provisions and residual profit

In accordance with the law, the SNB must first build up provisions for operating income. The aim is to maintain the currency reserves at the required level. The equity capital has improved in recent years. For this reason, the minimum allocation to provisions will increase from 10% to 8% from the 2026 financial year, but with annual approval by the Bank Council.

After the provisions, the residual profit is in principle available for distribution. The FDF and the SNB set the reference values in a multi-year agreement to ensure a constant distribution over the medium term. The order indicated is therefore provisions, residual profit and distribution between the Confederation and the cantons.

Operational details

The most concrete consequence of the new agreement is the distinction between the theoretical maximum and the sum that can actually be distributed. Six billion is not a guaranteed amount every year: the basis requires a balance sheet profit of at least two billion, while the other four instalments depend on specific thresholds and the financial situation of the SNB. The level reached must therefore be checked before considering the payment.

A grid to read thresholds

The table reflects the scale described by the FDF. Each additional step is subject to the general condition of the SNB's financial situation. The ceiling of six billion can only be reached with the base and all four additional distributions provided for in the agreement.

The second element to be kept separate is the provision. The increase from 10% to 8% concerns the minimum allocation to the strengthening of currency reserves, not a quota already allocated to the Confederation or the cantons. In addition, the annual approval of the Bank Council remains necessary. The 8% does not therefore make it possible to calculate the final amount available on its own.

The agreement does not allocate the total between the Confederation and the individual cantons in the available text. For this reason, the agreement allows you to read the overall mechanism, but not to derive a specific cantonal quota. For a separate comparison with your salary situation, calcolatore stipendio is available.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

To correctly control a future distribution, a sequence of five steps can be followed, without confusing profit, provisions and institutional payment.

Five checks to do

1. Identify the reference period: the agreement covers the financial years 2026-2030. 2. Check the general condition: the maximum distribution applies if the SNB's financial situation allows it. 3. Compare the balance sheet profit with the initial threshold of two billion, necessary for the basic amount. 4. Check whether the profit reaches one of the four thresholds specified for additions: 10, 20, 30 or 40 billion francs. 5. Separate the result allocated to provisions from the residual profit, verifying the minimum allocation of 8% and the annual approval of the Bank Council from 2026.

This reading allows us to understand which part of the scale is potentially activated. The decisive figure is not only the upper limit, but the combination of budget profit, provisions and residual profit. The multi-annual agreement then serves to set the reference values of the distribution and to maintain a constant distribution over the medium term.

In order not to overlap this institutional procedure with personal obligations, the dichiarazione delle imposte should be considered as a separate instrument. The source describes the relationship between the FDF, the SNB, the Confederation and the cantons, not an individual request to be submitted.

To calculate your salary separately, use the calcolatore stipendio.

Source: rsi.ch