Highly developed and diverse, the Swiss financial centre contributes substantially to the national economy. This chapter depicts the regulation and governance of the industry. The introduction situates the discussion in the broader study of business and politics. The second part presents the economic structure, importance, and diversity of market participants. The segmentation of the banking sector is discussed to highlight differences in size and business models. The third part outlines the main actors that shape the regulatory environment, such as specialized public bodies and business associations representing the industry. The fourth part provides an overview of the regulatory framework, mapping the evolution of legislation and discussing business self-regulation. The final part explores how parliament and political parties have treated financial regulation since the Global Financial Crisis.
