ISFB Compliance Officer Certificate

Content: Compliance, as a profession aimed at guaranteeing compliance with legal, regulatory and internal requirements, is part of a prudential and organizational context involving the supervisory authorities and the various bodies and functions of a financial institution.
In this sense, before applying Compliance controls, generally at 2nd level, it is necessary to understand where the Compliance function fits into this organization and what the stakes and responsibilities are.
This module is also intended to serve as an introduction to the other modules of the Certificate.

Content: This advanced module aims to deepen participants' understanding of the legal obligations and compliance practices relating to Switzerland's Anti-Money Laundering Legislation (AMLA). By analyzing current challenges, detection tools and mechanisms for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing, participants will strengthen their ability to apply compliance standards within Swiss financial institutions.

Content: This module aims to provide a clear and operational understanding of the mechanisms for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism in Switzerland. It introduces the fundamental principles of the Money Laundering Act (MLA), explaining the obligations of financial intermediaries, the types of transactions at risk, and the vigilance measures to be adopted.

Particular attention is paid to the operation of MROS (Money Laundering Reporting Office), Switzerland's financial intelligence unit. Participants will learn how MROS processes reports, cooperates with national and international authorities, and contributes to the detection of illicit financial flows.

Finally, the module incorporates the most recent requirements in terms of reporting obligations, notably the introduction of Article 9b MLA, which imposes a 40-day deadline for transmitting the required information to MROS. Through practical case studies, participants will be trained to recognize situations requiring reporting and to apply procedures in line with current standards.

Content: This module presents the compliance obligations associated with FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and EAR (Export Administration Regulations), with a focus on the requirements applicable to Swiss financial institutions. It covers the principles of FATCA, including the imminent switch from Model 2 to Model 1 in Switzerland, which introduces automatic, reciprocal exchange of tax information with the USA. The module also covers EAR rules on export controls, sanctions and trade restrictions, essential for entities operating internationally. Through practical case studies, participants will learn how to identify risks, apply reporting procedures, and ensure compliance with constantly evolving standards.

Content: On completion of this course, participants will be able to describe the main cyber threats targeting financial institutions, and explain the fundamentals of information security and personal data protection. They will be able to carry out a global analysis of information-related risks, contribute to regulatory compliance assessments in this field, and propose organizational and technical measures adapted to the requirements of the banking sector.

Content: This module covers the compliance issues associated with cross-border activity in the financial sector. It introduces fundamental principles such as reverse solicitation, cross-border licensing and mechanisms for accessing foreign markets. Participants will learn to identify the legal and regulatory risks associated with cross-border services, with a particular focus on restrictions on access to the European market. The module also explores the concepts of safe harbours, enabling certain activities to be secured within a defined legal framework.

Content: This module explores the main compliance requirements of the LSFin, focusing on three key areas. It begins with the classification of customers according to the categories provided for by the law (private, professional, institutional), and introduces the opting-in and opting-out mechanisms, enabling the level of protection to be adjusted according to the customer's profile. The module then details the rules of conduct to be applied by financial service providers, including information obligations, verification of the suitability of services, and management of conflicts of interest. Finally, it looks at how to set up an appropriate organization, in line with regulatory requirements, including internal procedures, documentation and control of financial services risks.

Content: This compliance training module explores the European and Swiss regulatory frameworks applicable to electronic payment service providers (PSU, TPP, PISP, AISP, PIISP, ASPSP) and digital asset service providers (PSAN or VASP). It presents the typologies of services covered by the PSD2 directive (PIS, AIS) and by the MiCA regulation, highlighting the specific anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) obligations for FinTechs and PSANs.

Participants will understand why PSD2, MiCA and PSAN-related activities are regulated, notably to guarantee transaction security, data protection and market transparency. The module addresses the challenges of PSD2 implementation, such as Regulatory Technical Standards (RTS), Open Banking and the NextGenPSD2 protocol, explaining their impact on financial institutions and third-party providers.

Particular attention is paid to the foundations of MiCA, its regulatory model, and the obligations of providers in terms of account keeping, book-entry and custody of digital assets. The module also highlights the challenges posed by decentralized finance (DeFi), whose market microstructure makes regulation complex.

Finally, participants will learn how to approach AMLA compliance, automate verification steps, interact effectively with FinTechs, and support their customers in their digital asset projects, while accelerating customer acquisition and optimizing AML/CFT compliance.

Content: This module aims to enhance the skills of banking compliance professionals in dealing with international sanctions regimes and corruption risks. It presents the types of sanctions (UN, EU, OFAC, etc.) and their specific implications for Swiss financial institutions, particularly in terms of screening and market access restrictions.
Participants will learn how to implement an effective Sanctions Compliance Program, including governance, organization and monitoring measures, as well as due diligence processes adapted to the life cycle of a business relationship. The module also covers transactional and relational filtering systems, essential for detecting risky counterparties.
Through practical case studies, participants will be trained to manage the risks associated with business relationships and sensitive transactions, in compliance with Swiss and international anti-money laundering and anti-corruption requirements.

Content: This module deals with regulatory obligations aimed at guaranteeing the integrity of financial markets, particularly in the Swiss context. It introduces insider trading, explaining the legal definition, the mechanisms for exploiting privileged information, and the legal consequences for institutions and individuals. The module also covers market manipulation and other forms of market abuse, illustrated by case studies drawn from FINMA practice.
Participants will learn how to identify and manage conflicts of interest, implement an organizational duty in line with the requirements of the Financial Market Infrastructure Act (FMIA), and integrate these principles into their compliance framework. The aim is to strengthen institutions' ability to prevent abusive behavior, while ensuring market transparency and fairness.

Content: This module aims to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the legal requirements and best practices for personal data protection in the Swiss banking sector. Focusing on compliance obligations in relation to the Swiss Federal Data Protection Act (DPA) and the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), this module integrates the practical and legal aspects of managing sensitive data in a financial institution.

Content: This module covers the regulatory and compliance aspects of asset management, focusing on two key stages in the life cycle of financial products: creation and distribution. Participants will learn how to integrate compliance requirements right from the product design stage, taking into account the transparency, governance and documentation rules imposed by FINMA and international standards.

The module also explores distribution-related obligations, including client classification, rules of conduct, cross-border restrictions, and information and suitability requirements. The aim is to enable asset management professionals to secure their operations, while ensuring regulatory compliance in a constantly evolving environment.

Content: This module introduces the fundamental rules of investment and the different sources of risk to which asset managers must be attentive within a regulatory framework. Through a practical case study, participants will learn how to analyze a client's risk profile, taking into account his or her objectives, risk tolerance and investment horizon.

The module also covers ESG (environmental, social and governance) strategies, which have become essential in asset management, and offers a practical case study to analyze different ESG investments from a compliance angle, in order to assess their alignment with regulatory requirements and client expectations.

Content: This module explores developments in the international regulatory environment for sustainable finance and the implications for financial players. It presents the main European initiatives, such as the Green Taxonomy, the SFDR Regulation and the CSRD Directive, and analyzes their transposition in Switzerland, notably through ESG transparency requirements and local adaptations inspired by MiFID II.

The module also provides an overview of the Swiss regulatory environment, highlighting current texts, FINMA's expectations, and future developments in sustainability. The aim is to enable compliance professionals to integrate ESG criteria into their governance, advisory and reporting systems, while ensuring compliance with international standards.

Content: This module immerses participants in the mechanisms of international cooperation with which Swiss financial institutions may be confronted in the course of judicial or administrative proceedings. It is structured around three main themes:

Firstly, international mutual assistance in criminal matters is discussed in terms of its fundamental principles and its practical operation, illustrated by case studies. Participants will learn how Swiss authorities cooperate with their foreign counterparts in criminal investigations, particularly in the field of financial crime.

Next, the module deals with mutual administrative assistance in the stock market, which enables regulators to share information in the context of market supervision. Participants will learn about cooperation procedures between FINMA and foreign authorities, particularly in cases of suspected insider trading or market manipulation.

Finally, mutual administrative assistance in tax matters is presented as an essential lever in the fight against tax evasion. Using concrete examples, the module explains how financial institutions should respond to requests for the exchange of tax information, while respecting the Swiss legal framework and international conventions.

This module aims to provide compliance professionals with the tools they need to understand, anticipate and manage requests for international mutual assistance, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and protecting the interests of their institution.

Content: The aim of the final exam is to validate the skills acquired during the course, by consolidating the practical and theoretical knowledge developed throughout the program. It enables participants to demonstrate their mastery of the concepts covered, their ability to articulate the various contributions of the course within a professional logic, and to identify the evolution of their personal skills.

The test takes the form of a 40-question MCQ, in open book format: participants can consult their course materials, appendices and personal notes. The exam lasts 120 minutes, i.e. 3 minutes per question. Each question has only one correct answer, and no negative marks are awarded for incorrect answers.

The questions are general, with no traps, and are based exclusively on content clearly covered in the course or in the training materials.