Finance
Swiss Government Approves Anti-Money Laundering Plan
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 20, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 20, 2026
Quick Summary
Swiss federal cabinet approved on March 20, 2026, a reinforced anti‑money laundering (AML) and counter‑terrorism financing (CTF) strategy that will bolster supervisory powers, improve databases, and initiate a third National Risk Assessment, advancing reforms adopted in 2025 and aiming at mid‑2026 i
Swiss Government Approves Measures to Strengthen Anti-Money Laundering Efforts
Overview of New Anti-Money Laundering Initiatives
Government Approval and Objectives
March 20 (Reuters) - The Swiss government on Friday approved a plan for combating money laundering and terrorist financing that it said would strengthen controls while protecting the integrity of the country as a financial centre.
Focus Areas for Future Development
Criminal Prosecution and Supervisory Authorities
After conducting a review, the country will now focus on developing instruments for criminal prosecution and stronger supervisory authorities in the coming years, the statement said.
Data Improvement and Risk Assessment
Enhancing Databases
This will include improving data bases and preparing a third national risk assessment on money laundering, following the first two in 2015 and 2021, respectively.
Legislative Debate and Industry Concerns
In September Swiss lawmakers had sought to water down government proposals on preventing financial crime, saying the country needed to stay competitive in cross-border wealth management in the face of rivals such as Singapore and the United Arab Emirates gaining ground.
(Reporting by Marleen Kaesebier, Editing by Friederike Heine)
Key Takeaways
- •The approved plan emphasizes criminal prosecution tools and stronger supervisory authorities to safeguard Switzerland’s financial centre integrity and competitiveness.
- •A third national risk assessment (NRA) for money laundering and terrorist financing is scheduled for 2026, following earlier reports in 2015 and 2021.
- •This builds on reforms adopted in September 2025—including a federal beneficial‑ownership registry and expanded due‑diligence obligations for advisors—set to enter into force by mid‑2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about Swiss government approves anti-money laundering plan
1What action has the Swiss government taken on money laundering?
The Swiss government has approved a new plan to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, strengthening regulatory controls.
2How will Switzerland strengthen its anti-money laundering framework?
The country will develop better instruments for criminal prosecution and enhance supervisory authorities, as well as improve data bases and conduct a third national risk assessment.
3Why did Swiss lawmakers seek to alter the government proposals?
Lawmakers aimed to keep Switzerland competitive in cross-border wealth management, especially with competition from Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
4When were the previous risk assessments on Swiss money laundering conducted?
Switzerland conducted its first national risk assessment in 2015 and the second in 2021.
5What is the significance of the new anti-money laundering plan for Switzerland?
It aims to bolster the integrity of Switzerland as a global financial centre while combating financial crime.
