New Self-Regulation for Financial Service Providers on the Integration of ESG Preferences at the Point of Sale – Selected Aspects

by Sandro Abegglen, Lukas Fahrländer

On 16 June 2022, the Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) adopted “Guidelines for the financial service providers on the integration of ESG-preferences and ESG-risks into investment advice and portfolio management” (Guidelines), which will enter into force on 1 January 2023 (with transition periods). This is the first time that binding self-regulation focusing on ESG will be introduced at the point of sale. A real innovation is the obligation to enquire and consider ESG preferences of clients when providing investment advice and portfolio management. This Client News highlights important contents, cross-references and pitfalls of the new
self-regulation.