Mark Branson is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). He will take on the role of President of the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority BaFin in Germany from mid-2021.

Mark Branson has worked at FINMA since 1 January 2010, initially as Head of Banking Supervision, from 2013 additionally as Deputy CEO and since April 2014 as CEO.

Mark Branson commented:

“This is a very difficult step for me to take. I am very proud of what this relatively small team has time and again achieved together in very challenging times. FINMA is only as good as its employees. And FINMA employees are characterised by their expertise, motivation and dedication – characteristics that they have deployed successfully to protect clients and the stability of the financial system. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all our employees, to my close colleagues on the Executive Board and to the Board of Directors for their trust and cooperation over the years.”

Jan Blöchliger will take over the operational leadership of FINMA from 1 May 2021 until further notice. Mark Branson will now focus on ensuring a smooth transition.

The Board of Directors has started the process of selecting a new CEO. This appointment must be approved by the Federal Council.

Marlene Amstad, Chair of FINMA’s Board of Directors, commented:

“The role of FINMA CEO is an extremely demanding job, which Mark Branson has done extraordinarily well. He has made an outstanding contribution to establishing our authority during a very eventful period for the financial markets. The fact that FINMA is in such a good position today as a nationally and internationally well-regarded authority can be credited to Mark Branson. His appointment as BaFin President is an expression of this international recognition. I thank Mark Branson on behalf of the Board of Directors and the whole of FINMA for his excellent work and his great personal commitment over the years.”