Finance
Do you want to learn about the economic importance of Basel as a financial centre? The Basel financial sector is one of the important industries in the canton.
The finance sector in Basel looks back upon a long history and was the most important international financial hub of Switzerland in the past. Today, with an added value of CHF 3.6 billion and around 11,500 employees, it is one of the canton's most important industries and one of Switzerland's larger financial centres.
Banks
Most banks based in the Canton of Basel-Stadt specialise in asset management, i.e. stock exchange and securities trading. Besides Swiss financial institutes, there are also foreign-controlled institutions and private bankers.
The Bank of International Settlements (BIS) as well as the Swiss Bankers Association are based in Basel.
Insurance companies
Differing from the Swiss average, insurance companies are highly significant in Basel. They contribute more than half of the added value in the financial sector of Basel. This specialisation in the insurance industry also explains the great importance of insurance-related support services as well as of asset management (fund management companies) based in Basel.
Although insurance companies with headquarters in Basel mainly belong to the sector of accident and damage insurance, life insurance companies based in Basel are of equally high importance.
Other financial services
In Basel, and generally in Switzerland, the sector of other financial services is characterised by small companies. The other financial services are roughly divided into 3 areas: banking-related support services, insurance-related support services and funds business
For further information regarding the financial centre of Basel, please contact Ms Djurdja Röthlisberger, the Financial Sector Manager.