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Following a clamp-down on tax evasion which has eroded the
impact of Switzerland's bank secrecy laws, Swiss private banks
are increasingly setting up branches abroad to attract new
clients.
Boris Collardi, chief executive at Julius Baer, Switzerland's
third-biggest private bank behind UBS <UBSG.S> and Credit Suisse
<CSGN.S>, said Brexit could be a catalyst for deal covering
Swiss and UK financials firms.
"It is imaginable that Brexit represents a chance for improved
mutual market access between Switzerland and Britain in
financial matters," Collardi, speaking as chairman of the
Association of Swiss Asset and Wealth Management Banks, said in
a speech.
Non-EU member Switzerland trades with the EU through a web of
more than 100 sectoral agreements, although this does not
include financial services. Switzerland's banking sector has
been battling for more than half a decade to win full access to
the EU market.
Collardi said a UK-Swiss deal could set a positive precedent for
Swiss-EU relations.
Diplomats say Swiss talks with Britain continue under Bern's
strategy of bolstering direct ties with London, but British
elections in June and its continuing EU membership until formal
Brexit are holding up any substantial progress. No deal is
likely until after Britain leaves the EU.
(Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
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