What this framework means for Geneva

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The current regulatory framework has transformed the Geneva financial centre. It has raised the level of professional requirements and strengthened client protection. It has increased costs, particularly for small institutions, and encouraged consolidation. It has created substantial demand for lawyers, compliance specialists, auditors and technology providers. It has also strengthened the credibility of the financial centre with clients and foreign authorities.

For Geneva practitioners, several lines of work emerge. Independent wealth managers must maintain their compliance with the authorisation and supervision requirements. Banks must integrate the new capital, liquidity and governance requirements. Lawyers, notaries and fiduciaries must prepare for the application of the Anti-Money Laundering Act to their advisory activities. All legal entities must comply with the transparency register.

This framework also offers opportunities. The quality of Swiss regulation, recognised internationally, is an argument for a clientele seeking legal certainty. The expertise developed in Geneva in compliance, structuring and risk management can be offered to clients and institutions throughout the world. The regulatory transformation, which was at first experienced as a constraint, is becoming part of what the financial centre has to offer.

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of September 2025.

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Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

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