How FINMA approval is prepared in practice.
Assessment of business model eligibility under Art. 1b BA, including deposit thresholds and activity scope.
Preparation of business plan, financial projections, governance, AML/KYC framework, and risk management documentation.
Coordination with auditors, final review, and structured submission aligned with FINMA expectations.
Support throughout FINMA review, questions, and approval until the licence is granted.
FINMA approval handled with regulatory precision.
Regulatory expertise that supports sustainable growth.
Regulatory expertise for Swiss FinTech licensing
Swiss FinTech licensing requires precise regulatory preparation and consistent compliance execution. We support FINMA licence applications, regulatory audits, and risk management under the Swiss Banking Act (Art. 1b).
From initial regulatory assessment to audit-ready documentation and reporting, we provide a structured and reliable licensing process for Swiss FinTech companies and financial institutions.
Effective participation in the Swiss FinTech ecosystem requires clear regulatory positioning and operational readiness. We advise clients on business structuring, governance, and regulatory implications of growth strategies.
Our support includes corporate structuring, executive sourcing, and preparation for investor and regulatory scrutiny, ensuring decisions remain aligned with Swiss regulatory expectations.
We actively engage in the Swiss FinTech ecosystem and maintain professional dialogue with regulatory and industry bodies.
This involvement supports regulatory awareness, transparency, and alignment with evolving supervisory expectations, contributing to a stable and collaborative FinTech environment in Switzerland.
We prepare comprehensive Swiss FinTech licence applications in line with FINMA’s regulatory framework and applicable guidelines. Our work covers business and financial planning, pricing structures, terms and conditions, and all required compliance documentation.
From initial regulatory assessment to FINMA submission and approval, we manage the full application process with a structured approach that reduces regulatory risk and supports a predictable approval pathway.
Beyond licensing, we support company formation in Switzerland and the sourcing of qualified board members and executive management with Swiss domicile. Where required, we also assist with operational setup, FinTech IT infrastructure, and AML/KYC structuring to ensure regulatory readiness beyond approval.
Swiss FinTech licensing, handled with clarity and confidence.
We support Swiss FinTech companies with experienced regulatory expertise throughout the licensing and approval process. Our work is grounded in practical regulatory knowledge, structured execution, and consistent alignment with FINMA requirements.
We review Swiss FinTech licence applications against FINMA’s regulatory requirements, with a focus on business plans, financial frameworks, and governance structures.
This structured pre-submission review helps identify gaps early, reduce avoidable delays, and support a well-prepared approval process.
Many Swiss FinTech licence applications encounter extended review periods due to compliance gaps or outdated documentation.
We apply a structured risk assessment approach to anticipate regulatory concerns, align documentation with current expectations, and support a smooth licensing process.
Regulatory errors are costly. We ensure complete alignment with FINMA’s regulatory framework throughout the licensing process.
Our work provides clarity and structure, supporting a secure and compliant launch in Switzerland’s regulated FinTech environment.
A Swiss FinTech licence under Article 1b of the Banking Act allows companies to accept public deposits up to CHF 100 million without engaging in lending activities, subject to FINMA supervision.
The duration depends on the application’s complexity and preparedness. A structured and audit-ready submission helps avoid unnecessary delays during the FINMA review process.
Swiss FinTech licence applications require locally resident board members and executive management to ensure adequate oversight and regulatory accountability.
FINMA does not grant pre-approvals. Regulatory concepts and documentation can, however, be prepared and aligned with supervisory expectations before formal submission.
Yes. Licensed FinTech companies must maintain ongoing compliance with FINMA-supervised reporting, governance, and risk management obligations.
With the specialists from FinTech Werkstatt, we were able to prepare our application for the FinTech license in an efficient and cost-effective manner. All the necessary documents have been prepared for us. The technical discussions in the areas of Business Plan, AMLA, Risk & Compliance, Outsourcing, Cross-Border, and Budgets helped us a lot to focus our startup on important points and risks at an early stage.
We are very satisfied and assume that we will receive the FinTech license from FINMA in April 2021. We look forward to working with FinTech Werkstatt in the future.
FinTech Werkstatt has been an invaluable partner in navigating the Swiss and international licence application process. Their expertise in company formation, tailored IT infrastructure, and regulatory compliance made everything seamless. They provided clear guidance at every stage, ensuring we met all regulatory requirements without delays.
With their network of industry-specific, pre-vetted candidates, we quickly met the Swiss requirement of having a board member and two executive managers residing in the country. Their deep understanding of financial regulations and hands-on support ensured an efficient and successful application process.
We checked the FinTech license application prepared by FinTech Werkstatt for MOGLI AG before submitting it to FINMA and considered it good. The collaboration with FinTech Werkstatt was very professional and pleasant. Questions and additions were answered and dealt with in the shortest possible time by the experts at FinTech Werkstatt.
We would be delighted to continue to examine FinTech applications that were created by the experts of FinTech Werkstatt.
FinTech Werkstatt (FTW) is very professional and fast, with excellent contacts to Swiss regulatory authorities and international eco-system partners. FTW has clear admission criteria, and to our surprise, it was not a matter of course that we got accepted as a client. We had to pass a due diligence process. If you have an approvable shareholder base, board, and can provide your start-up with sufficient equity, you have a fair chance to get accepted by this highly focused consulting boutique.
If accepted, you can be assured to have the best possible chance to get your license done quickly. Our application was established by FTW experts in record time, passed the application audit instantly, and got filed with FINMA.
Amazing speed – many thanks to Michael and his well-honed team of experts – that was truly impressive. You all make it all look so easy and effortless.
The competent advice from FinTech Werkstatt helped us to structure the organization as required by the Swiss Banking Law and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Many thanks to the expert team of FinTech Werkstatt for their professional commitment.
