Compliance
Prepare a clear, complete application for membership in a Swiss self-regulatory organisation, with practical support from business-model review through the application file and follow-up questions.
Professional financial intermediaries in Switzerland's non-bank sector may need to affiliate with a FINMA-recognised self-regulatory organisation under the Anti-Money Laundering Act. Whether that requirement applies depends on the activity, professional status, transaction model, thresholds, and exemptions. We help document the facts and prepare the membership file; a binding legal assessment should be obtained where the position is uncertain.
Each SRO sets its own eligibility criteria, forms, annexes, fees, submission channel, and admission process. A typical file covers current or planned business activities, ownership and control, responsible persons, and the applicant's AML organisation. The current instructions of the selected SRO always control the exact requirements.
VQF is one of the 11 SROs currently recognised by FINMA and is a familiar example for applicants in Zug. VQF publishes detailed membership forms and guidance for its own process. Other recognised organisations have different regional, professional, or industry roots, so applicants should review the official materials of every organisation relevant to their circumstances.
Fintech Office provides organisation-neutral preparation support. We review the business model for consistency, organise the required documents, help draft the activity description, align the AML framework with the application, and quality-check the file before submission. We can also support complete, consistent responses to the selected SRO's follow-up questions.
The selected SRO independently assesses eligibility and decides whether to admit an applicant. We do not represent VQF or any other SRO, do not recommend one organisation over another, and cannot guarantee admission or a particular review time.
Compare SRO requirements using current official materialsAll recognised SROs supervise their affiliated financial intermediaries for compliance with Swiss anti-money-laundering duties, while FINMA recognises and supervises the SROs themselves. The descriptions below identify documented regional or sector roots; they are not recommendations or eligibility decisions.
A Zürich-based SRO with a broad financial-sector orientation.
A Geneva-based association for financial intermediaries with a French-speaking Swiss orientation.
The self-regulatory organisation of fiduciaries in the Canton of Ticino, based in Lugano.
A Zürich-based general SRO for financial intermediaries with varied business models.
The Swiss Leasing Association's SRO, with a documented leasing-sector focus.
The SRO of the Swiss bar and notaries' associations for lawyers and notaries acting as financial intermediaries.
The Swiss Insurance Association's SRO, with an insurance-sector focus.
The Swiss Investment Companies Association's SRO, based in Baar.
A Geneva-based organisation for financial intermediaries and trustees.
A Bern-based SRO rooted in the Swiss fiduciary and trust-services sector.
A Zug-based SRO for financial intermediaries that publishes detailed guidance for its own membership process.
FINMA's official list showed 11 recognised SROs in September 2026. Applicants must confirm current recognition, eligibility, forms, fees, and admission requirements directly with the relevant organisation.
View the current official SRO list at FINMAPricing
The scope depends on the applicant type, business model, selected SRO, document readiness, and AML setup. We confirm a tailored fee after an initial review.
Processing fees and membership charges are separate and governed by the selected SRO's current regulations.
Key points about eligibility, documents, the application process, and our role.
It is a request to become a member of a FINMA-recognised self-regulatory organisation. Once admitted, the financial intermediary is supervised by that SRO for compliance with Swiss anti-money-laundering obligations. The chosen SRO reviews the file and makes the admission decision.
Swiss financial intermediaries in the non-bank sector may need SRO affiliation when their activities fall within the Anti-Money Laundering Act and are carried out professionally. The answer depends on the precise business model, thresholds, and exemptions; this page is not a binding legal determination of regulatory status.
No. VQF is one of 11 SROs currently recognised by FINMA. Some organisations have regional, professional, or industry roots. Eligibility and suitability depend on the applicant's facts and each SRO's current rules; Fintech Office does not rank or recommend one SRO over another.
The file commonly includes the relevant application form and annexes, a description of current or planned activities, corporate and ownership records, information on responsible persons, and documentation of the AML organisation. The selected SRO's current guidance determines the exact requirements.
We assess file readiness, create a document plan, help complete and align the application materials, review the activity description and AML framework, and perform a final consistency check. We can also support the preparation of responses to follow-up questions from the selected SRO.
Submission rules differ by organisation. VQF, for example, publishes instructions for digital submission subject to legally signed declarations and its current requirements. Applicants must use the latest forms and submission instructions issued by their selected SRO.
No. VQF and every other recognised SRO independently assess applicants and retain sole authority over admission. Fintech Office supports the preparation and quality of the file but cannot guarantee approval or a specific review period.
Compliance
Practical AML, KYC, and compliance frameworks aligned with Swiss FINMA and SRO standards — built for fintech, Web3, and digital-asset operators.
Governance
Swiss law requires at least one director resident in Switzerland with single signatory powers. We provide that mandate with the rigour, independence, and documentation expected by banks and regulators.
Setup
Form a Swiss legal entity in Zug with full notarial, registry, and post-incorporation support. We handle the paperwork; you stay focused on the business.
Tell us briefly about your situation and we'll send a tailored proposal within one business day.