Bank lobby group demands end to negative interest rates
The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) says negative interest rates are contributing to financial and economic instability in Switzerland. The central bank, which has set rates at -0.75%, is due to review its policy on September 19.
This content was published on
3 minutes
When not covering fintech, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, banks and trade, swissinfo.ch's business correspondent can be found playing cricket on various grounds in Switzerland - including the frozen lake of St Moritz.
SBAExternal link Chairman Herbert Scheidt said on Thursday that a normalisation of interest rates “appears a long way off”. “Unfortunately, the societal, structural and long-term damages will become even greater the longer we find ourselves in this ‘lower forever’ environment,” he told the media.
By contrast, interest rates in the United States remain in positive territory while European banks benefit from “targeted longer-term refinancing operations”. These are loans issued by the European Central Bank (ECB) to commercial banks on highly preferential rates provided the money is recycled on to companies.
“Depending on how much credit and how many mortgages the banks have granted over a certain period of time, they can actually receive money from the ECB instead of paying interest on it,” said Scheidt at the annual Swiss Bankers DayExternal link event in Zurich.
SNB intervenes
The SBA said negative interest rates also threaten a bubble in the housing market as investors look for more attractive returns, damage pension funds and discourage companies from investing.
Keeping interest rates ultra-low is one of the key weapons that the SNBExternal link wields in its battle to keep down the value of the franc. In times of global uncertainty, investors pump up the value of the safe haven franc, to the detriment of Swiss exporters and the domestic tourism industry.
Charging large-scale investors for stockpiling francs acts as a deterrent, but economists are sceptical about the chances of the SNB dropping rates even further next week. However, the ECB’s decision on Thursday to cut its deposit facility rate on the commercial bank assets it holds from -0.4% to -0.5%, plus a renewed commitment to buy EU government bonds, will add extra pressure on the SNB to react.
The SNB has also been active in the currency markets, effectively printing francs to buy financial instruments denominated in other currencies.
The evidence suggests that the central bank has stepped up this activity to the tune of billions of francs in recent weeks.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
This content was published on
The current low interest rate era has already driven down the interest (or coupon) payments being offered by bond issuers. But the forces driving bonds into negative yields is somewhat counterintuitive – it is because demand for bonds is so strong that it outstrips supply. That means investors are willing to buy bonds at above…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.