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World-renowned financial center
The financial services sector is of fundamental
importance for the Greater Zurich Area and serves as a powerful
international magnet. Up-to-date and excellent financial
services, a long tradition of banking and insurance, an expert
workforce, favorable laws, attractive taxation, the
traditionally stable Swiss Franc, and an efficient and
consistent finance market supervision all help to make Zürich a
globally leading center of finance.
 Zurich
Financial Center
FINMA
– Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority
Globally leading in Private Banking
Swiss banks currently manage a third of the
world’s private assets. Together, banks in Switzerland manage
assets totaling over CHF 6.5 trillion in assets (40% national
and 60% international clients). Switzerland is therefore the
world’s largest offshore financial center – ahead of most other
cities in Europe like London, New York and Frankfurt. Beyond the
two major international banks UBS and Credit Suisse Group there
are a wealth of Swiss and international financial firms with
highly specialized services. More than a third of all Swiss
banks are headquartered in the Greater Zurich Area.
Swiss
Bankers Association
FDF
– Federal Department of Finance
Swiss
Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA
SNB
– Swiss National Bank
World’s third largest insurance market
The Greater Zurich Area represents the world’s
third largest insurance market; numerous Swiss and foreign
insurance and reinsurance companies have their headquarters
here. Switzerland is also known for its high insurance density:
the Swiss are the best-insured people in the world. The premium
income from private insurance in the Swiss market amounts to
around CHF 53.5 billion, with the global figure totaling over
CHF 133.5 billion. The high premium volume primarily stems from
the attractive tax-saving opportunities presented by life
assurance policies and pension plans. Accordingly, Switzerland
is very attractive for reinsurance companies.
SVV
– Swiss Insurance Association
International stock market
More than 370 Swiss and foreign banks, and a
balanced mix between institutional and private investors trade
on the Swiss Exchange. The Swiss stock market, SIX Swiss
Exchange, is headquartered in the Greater Zurich Area and plays
a key role in Europe. It is one of the world’s most
technologically advanced stock markets and is the European
leader in international biotech and pharmaceuticals IPOs. A
capitalization of CHF 1'174 billion in 2005 put SIX near the top
of the global ranking. SIX operates London’s Virt-X and also
owns holdings in STOXX, EXFEED and EUREX.
SIX
Swiss Exchange
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