Services
Services
As the first independent fund representative (FINMA license since 2002) FIFS is one of the providers with the longest and most comprehensive experience in the representation of foreign funds in Switzerland. Since the year 2002 we support our customers when entering the Swiss market and during the on-going compliance with regulatory requirements. Additional support is offered to our customers regarding compliance with the applicable rules of conduct at the point of sale, when affiliating with an ombudsman’s office, for registration in the register of client advisers and for the evaluation of a suitable distribution partner in Switzerland.
Representative of foreign collective
investment schemes
Representation of funds registered with FINMA
In order to comply with the legal and regulatory requirements in Switzerland, FIFS offers foreign funds that are offered to non-qualified and qualified investors the following services:
- Representation of foreign funds towards Swiss investors and FINMA
- Compliance with legal reporting, publication and information obligation and the rules of conduct of industry organisations which have been declared a minimum standard by FINMA
- Providing a place of jurisdiction at the domicile of the representative
- Evaluation of distribution partners and
- Evaluation of a paying agent required by law
Representative of foreign collective
investment schemes
Representation of funds not registered with FINMA
In order to comply with the legal requirements in Switzerland FIFS offers foreign funds which are offered to certain qualified investors (high net worth individuals and private investment structures established for high net worth individuals), the following services:
- Representation of foreign funds towards Swiss investors and FINMA
- Compliance with legal reporting and information requirements and the rules of conduct of industry organisations which have been declared a minimum standard by FINMA
- Providing a place of jurisdiction at the domicile of the representative
- Evaluation of distribution partners, and
- Evaluation of a paying agent required by law
Training course regarding fund distribution, registration with a client adviser register, affiliation with an ombudsman’s office
In addition to offering and advertising activities for funds, "fund distribution" is also regulated in Switzerland, provided that this activity qualifies itself as a financial service.
In case a financial service is provided, the following must be considered inter alia:
- the client adviser of a financial service provider active at the point of sale in Switzerland must be registered in a register of client advisers unless an exception applies;
- the financial service provider must ensure that the client advisers active in Switzerland possess the necessary expertise and sufficient knowledge of the rules of conduct required for their activities;
- the financial service provider must be affiliated with an ombudsman’s office (including taking out professional liability insurance as required by law) unless an exception applies.
FIFS offers a practice-oriented course for client advisors active in fund distribution.
In this way you ensure that your client advisors behave towards Swiss investors in accordance with the legal and regulatory requirements in Switzerland. Our training course is recognised by the client advisor registers (e.g. regservice.ch) as proof of sufficient knowledge of the rules of conduct.
In addition, we offer you support in registering client advisors and in joining an ombudsman's office.