This year marks the start of a phase-in period for a four-pillared framework of financial market rules for Switzerland. Leant on the European Union's rule-making, the reforms are meant to ease market access for Swiss firms to the bloc. The so-called four-leaf clover of reforms also mark a new era of reinforcing consumer rights in finance.

(Image: Unsplash / Yan Ming)

11. Impact Money at the Gate

The absence of standards and definitions have hampered the sustainable investing field thus far. A new taxonomy backed by the European Union and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, or SASB, is laying the groundwork. It will also prompt far more money than has already flooded into the sector. Meanwhile, Finma's inclusion of climate change alongside major risks for finance like cyberattacks and money laundering is regulatory recognition of environmental, social, and governance in investing.