{"id":27981,"date":"2026-05-11T04:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-11T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebrokernews.ch\/?p=27981"},"modified":"2026-05-10T09:02:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T07:02:31","slug":"between-regulation-geopoli-turning-point","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebrokernews.ch\/en\/between-regulation-geopoli-turning-point\/","title":{"rendered":"Between regulation and a geopolitical turning point"},"content":{"rendered":"
SIBA is calling for less bureaucracy, more competitiveness and clear framework conditions.<\/span><\/div>\n\n

The 35th General Assembly of the Swiss Insurance Brokers Association (SIBA) was dominated by growing regulatory burdens, digital challenges and geopolitical uncertainties. At the same time, the association used the occasion to announce changes to the Board of Directors and present key projects for the future of the broker industry. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

SIBA President Markus Lehmann welcomed a record number of guests, industry representatives and partner organizations to Lucerne. In addition to representatives from insurers and brokerage houses, numerous exponents from politics, business and associations also took part, including SIA Director Urs Arbter, VBV President Mathias Zingg, OAK-BV President Vera Kupper and representatives of IG B2B and the Liechtenstein Brokers’ Association. <\/p>\n\n

Changes in the Management Board<\/h6>\n\n

According to SIBA, the Annual General Meeting was “pleasing”. President Markus Lehmann and the Vice President were confirmed for a further year. At the same time, there were several changes to the Board of Directors. <\/p>\n\n

Following the resignations of Sacha Baumli (ACA) and Kilian Manz (WTW), Reto Ebn\u00f6ther (WTW) and Salvatore Lavorato (RVA) were elected to the Board of Directors. The election of Lavorato (ACA) in particular was seen by SIBA as a signal for closer cooperation within the industry: he represents the Association des courtiers en Assurances ACA on the Board and is intended to strengthen the joint dialog between market participants. <\/p>\n\n

Despite ongoing consolidation in the broker landscape, the number of members remains stable according to SIBA. The premium volume managed by members also remains at a consistently high level. <\/p>\n\n

Industry guidelines adopted<\/h6>\n\n

SIBA sees the adoption of a new guideline for cooperation between collection and community facilities as an important milestone. The agreement is intended to serve as an industry standard in future and eliminate recurring points of conflict between market participants. <\/p>\n\n

At the same time, SIBA is working with partners on a new three-stage training model for the second pillar. This is to be presented to the OAK BV<\/a> and will contribute to the professionalization of the industry in the long term. <\/p>\n\n

Criticism of recertifications and FINMA<\/h6>\n\n

The association’s management was once again critical of regulatory developments. In particular, the ongoing recertification audits for mandate managers and FINMA-registered persons caused irritation. According to SIBA, many brokers were surprised to discover that a significant proportion of the audit questions concerned the health insurance sector, a segment that many traditional SIBA brokers deliberately avoid. <\/p>\n\n

The topic has already been taken up in talks with the VBV<\/a> and will be discussed in greater depth at the industry association conference in the fall. At the same time, SIBA expressed relief that no member brokers had been involved in the case of fraudulent audit certificates, which made headlines last year. The cooperation between the VBV and FINMA in dealing with these cases was expressly praised. <\/p>\n\n

The criticism of FINMA was much harsher. SIBA once again criticized the lack of transparency regarding the costs of supervision. While insurers and brokers had to comply with detailed disclosure obligations, the supervisory authority itself lacked comprehensible information on the use of fee income. <\/p>\n\n

The association is particularly critical of the expansion of brokerage supervision. According to SIBA, despite comparatively few complaints about qualified brokers, 24 positions have now been created there. The real problems lie in the area of health insurance brokerage and the associated life insurance models. <\/p>\n\n

As an indication of the low number of actual disputes, SIBA pointed out that the newly created ombudsman’s office for SIBA brokers did not have to deal with a single case in its first year of operation.<\/p>\n\n

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Criticism of the UK agreement<\/h6>\n\n

Another key topic was the so-called UK Agreement, which allows British brokers to operate without a branch in Switzerland. In SIBA’s view, this puts domestic brokerage companies at a clear disadvantage. <\/p>\n\n

While Swiss brokers would have to meet extensive requirements – including FINMA registration, extracts from the criminal and debt collection registers, proof of training and fee obligations – British providers would be able to serve Swiss clients and conclude contracts without being subject to the same regulatory requirements.<\/p>\n\n

In particular, SIBA criticized the fact that potential supervisory costs in the event of a problem would ultimately be borne by the Swiss brokerage industry. There was also a risk that business would migrate from Switzerland to other countries. <\/p>\n\n

EcoHub and digitalization remain problem children<\/h6>\n\n

The digitalization of the industry also remains a sensitive topic for the association. Four years after the founding of EcoHub AG, SIBA continues to miss concrete progress and marketable solutions. <\/p>\n\n

While digital standards and platform solutions have long been established in various neighboring countries, cooperation between insurers and brokers in Switzerland is making slow progress. The industry is now hoping for new impetus as well as efficiency and cost benefits for all parties involved. <\/p>\n\n

Bureaucracy burdens the economy<\/h6>\n\n

Markus Lehmann also used his speech for a fundamental economic policy assessment. The same message was heard again and again at various business association events: Bureaucracy is increasing massively, regulations are growing at an inflationary rate and are leading to more and more new jobs and rising costs for companies and taxpayers. <\/p>\n\n

In the SIBA’s view, Switzerland is increasingly moving towards a higher state quota: a situation that was previously associated more with countries such as France. Stricter impact cost assessments for new regulations and a greater limitation of administrative intervention were therefore called for. <\/p>\n\n

Thomas S\u00fcssli: “The turning point has arrived”<\/h6>\n\n

The highlight of the morning was the guest lecture by the former head of the Swiss army, Thomas S\u00fcssli. Under the title “The current geopolitical world (dis)order”, S\u00fcssli painted a bleak picture of the international situation. <\/p>\n\n

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Thomas S\u00fcssli: Head of the Armed Forces until the end of 2025, manager, will stand for the FDP<\/a> of the Canton of Lucerne(FDP.Die Liberalen Luzern<\/a>) in the 2027 National Council elections<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

His central message was that the geopolitical turning point had long since become a reality. The previous rules-based world order was increasingly disintegrating and would not return to its former stability. The world was in a new multipolar order, characterized by the power centers of the USA, China and Russia. <\/p>\n\n

S\u00fcssli criticized the fact that Europe and the West had underestimated this development for years. China in particular had developed from a poor developing country into a technological and economic superpower in just a few decades. The former army chief recalled that China had lifted around 800 million people out of poverty within a generation and was now openly striving for a new world order. <\/p>\n\n

S\u00fcssli also spoke about the increasing geopolitical shift towards Asia. Cities such as Shenzhen (current population 20,622,630) and Shanghai are examples of China’s technological lead. Europe, on the other hand, is increasingly losing momentum and competitiveness. <\/p>\n\n

Russia relies on hybrid warfare<\/h6>\n\n

The analysis of Russia also took up a lot of space. S\u00fcssli made it clear that Russia would continue to pursue its claim to influence. This would not necessarily be achieved through direct military attacks, but increasingly through hybrid warfare. <\/p>\n\n

This includes cyber attacks, disinformation, economic influence and acts of sabotage. According to S\u00fcssli, Russia is already in a hybrid conflict with the West. He cited targeted disinformation campaigns, cyber attacks and increasing influence operations within Europe as examples. <\/p>\n\n

At the same time, he warned against interpreting the Russian threat exclusively in military terms. Although a direct attack on Europe is currently unlikely, Russia is consistently expanding its military capabilities and its zones of influence. <\/p>\n\n

Europe is losing touch technologically<\/h6>\n\n

S\u00fcssli was particularly critical of Europe’s technological development. While China and the USA are investing billions in artificial intelligence, Europe is increasingly losing itself in regulation and bureaucracy. <\/p>\n\n

Although Switzerland and Europe still had a high level of education, they were in danger of falling behind technologically. In the field of artificial intelligence in particular, Europe is at risk of falling behind. <\/p>\n\n

S\u00fcssli also warned of Switzerland’s structural weaknesses: rising government spending, growing bureaucracy, energy dependency and a lack of capacity for reform. The major problems are hardly being solved politically any more, instead regulation continues to increase. <\/p>\n\n

“Being rich and weak at the same time is dangerous”<\/h6>\n\n

S\u00fcssli spoke with particular clarity about the vulnerability of wealthy countries. Prosperity alone would no longer guarantee stability in the future. In an increasingly unstable world order, it is dangerous to be both rich and weak in terms of security policy. <\/p>\n\n

The demographic trend, the ageing of society and the increasing burden on social security systems and infrastructure would also further restrict the scope for action of governments.<\/p>\n\n

In conclusion, S\u00fcssli appealed for more personal responsibility, willingness to reform and innovative strength. Europe and Switzerland must learn to act faster and more decisively. <\/p>\n\n

Many guests remembered his closing quote: “Doing is like wanting – only more blatant.”<\/p>\n\n

Binci Heeb<\/p>\n\n

Read also: Tax increase on pension capital: SIBA warns of loss of confidence<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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