In early February, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority Finma announced that it would move its offices from Wasserwerkstrasse near Zurich’s main train station to Oerlikon. The relocation is scheduled for November 2026.

As finews has learned, the authority will move into the «Vertex» office building at Thurgauerstrasse 30/32. The property is owned by the BVK pension fund, which insures a large share of public-sector employees in the canton of Zurich. Credit Suisse previously leased the towers and mainly operated back-office functions there, particularly IT.

More Space

At its current location, Finma occupies 3,743 square meters spread across several floors, it said in response to a finews inquiry. This layout has partly complicated internal processes. The space will now increase significantly: in Oerlikon, the regulator will occupy around 7,000 square meters.

According to Finma, the move is primarily about capacity and efficiency: «The decision was made based on functional, operational and economic criteria.»

Lower Cost per Workstation

The current building no longer offers enough room for the «current and future number of workplaces». The new location will allow «more flexible and contiguous office areas», which should improve internal collaboration.

Finma also points to additional infrastructure: there will be «the possibility to provide our employees with a staff restaurant and an auditorium». Costs are another factor. According to Finma, «rental and operating costs per workstation are lower at the new location».

«Well Connected»

An existing tenant fit-out will also reduce investment needs and the duration of renovation work. The building is Minergie-certified, meeting the authority’s sustainability criteria.

Geographically, Finma sees no disadvantage in the greater distance from downtown. Oerlikon is «well connected», offers direct public transportation links and provides «an attractive cost-benefit ratio and modern, flexible office options». The location decision was «not made based on representational considerations», the authority added.

Unlike for most banks, whose distance to the regulator will increase, it will shrink for Zurich Insurance, which is also supervised by Finma: its Swiss headquarters are located in the immediate vicinity of the Vertex towers.