Vertrauliche Notkredite: Liquiditätshilfen der SNB für Banken sollen künftig geheim sein – und damit ihr Stigma verlieren

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) plans to keep its emergency loans to banks confidential to prevent stigmatization and strengthen financial stability. This is a response to the Credit Suisse crisis, which highlighted the importance of maintaining secrecy around such financial interventions. The Swiss government aims to make it easier for banks to access these loans by simplifying the collateral transfer process and improving legal and operational preparedness.

This approach seeks to minimize market nervousness and avoid exacerbating liquidity crises, which are ultimately about a lack of liquid assets to meet obligations or fund withdrawals. The proposed delay in mandatory reporting of these loans aligns with the broader goal of reducing market transparency for certain information, even if it is relevant to stock markets.

The Bank expects to maintain secrecy for an indefinite period, provided they can ensure organizational measures to keep the information confidential. While the EU would require approval for such measures, Switzerland aims to implement this without regulatory oversight. The initiative is currently under review for three months, with a good chance of gaining support due to the negative impact of stigmatization on public perception of emergency liquidity assistance.

The ultimate goal is to ensure bank stability without the SNB having to bear the burden of supporting financially troubled institutions in the future.