Corporates and Institutions Corporates & Entrepreneurs

Switzerland saw an unprecedented economic downturn in the first half of 2020. On account of the COVID-19 pandemic, mobility and consumer spending in Switzerland took a nosedive. This article examines how Switzerland has fared compared to other countries and why it still has a long way to go to get back to normal.

Switzerland has long been viewed as a popular immigration destination for foreign workers. But the coronavirus crisis is causing problems for the Swiss labor market too. With declining employment growth and rising unemployment, fewer foreign workers are required at the moment, and immigration is falling.

The TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award picks the most promising start-ups in Switzerland and brings them to the attention of international investors. For start-ups, this can open the door to financing. The new ranking list was published yesterday.

Combine Swiss innovation with traditional rope making? Why not, says Jakob AG. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit and the Bank for Entrepreneurs as a reliable partner, this Swiss company is achieving milestone after milestone and today has a solid international presence.

With 1e pension plans, companies can offer their employees more freedom in structuring their pension plans, while also receiving attractive benefits themselves – for example, easing the burden on the company's balance sheet.

The abolition of bearer shares in Switzerland is in full swing. Non-listed companies with bearer shares must act now. What the law requires, how companies should react, and what solutions Credit Suisse offers.

The COVID-19 pandemic is dragging down the Swiss economy. Especially hard hit are SMEs that depend on exports. Simone Wyss Fedele, CEO of Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), talks about the present challenges facing companies and the world after COVID-19 in this interview.

The coronavirus crisis is hitting Swiss SMEs in the export sector hard. As Swiss export sentiment falls to a record low, demand also experiences a marked decline. In which sectors can Swiss export companies breathe a sigh of relief and where is patience still required until we see a recovery?

The Swiss economy took a tumble due to the coronavirus crisis. Now that the lockdown has eased up, the Swiss economy is already showing initial signs of recovery. We will need to be patient for things to fully return to normal, though.

In every possible way, 2020 is an exceptional year – and this should also apply to the debt brake. This is because the fiscal measures for fighting the coronavirus pandemic increase the national debt of Switzerland. However, this should be economically manageable in order to avoid a reduction that is too rapid.

Andreas Gerber, Head of SME Switzerland at Credit Suisse, takes an initial look at the federal government's COVID-19 bridging credit facilities and explains why he has great respect for entrepreneurs in Switzerland. He also ventures a forecast of how the Swiss economy will change in the long term.

Use without buying. Leasing gives companies the opportunity to stay at the cutting edge of technology all while preserving liquidity. Thanks to Online Leasing, SMEs can lease vehicles or capital goods even more efficiently and flexibly.

During the coronavirus crisis, many companies are suffering from a decline in sales and are therefore facing liquidity problems. Consequently, many are falling back on the support measures enacted by the federal government. What you need to know – guidance on eight key questions.

For entrepreneurs, the first milestone is founding their company. The process needs to be carefully thought out because that is the only way to clear the path to successful growth. To promote Switzerland's business landscape, Credit Suisse launched its Entrepreneurs' Day in 2019. It covers everything from prosperous partnerships to establishing a business for free to tips on how entrepreneurs can successfully establish a start-up.

The "Tax Reform and AHV Financing" (TRAF) package entered into force on January 1, 2020, and entails a fundamental restructuring of corporate taxation. For Swiss SMEs, this reform offers the opportunity to rethink and optimize their own corporate structure to take advantage of these new possibilities.

Liquidity is the lifeblood of a company. SMEs need available funds to do business. Therefore good liquidity planning is vital. Discover the practical benefits of multibanking, and what steps you can take to ensure that you are always solvent.

The digitalization of payment transactions is progressing. Financial institutions are using digital solutions to offer their clients simpler and more secure ways to pay – and Credit Suisse is one of them. QR-bills, eBills, etc.

The Swiss economy is facing some difficult months. The coronavirus outbreak and the measures introduced as a consequence will put a brake on economic growth. There will almost certainly be a recession. By the end of the year, the economic situation should be able to recover again to some extent.

The Swiss trade surplus has risen steadily since 2008 – despite the strong and sometimes dramatic appreciation of the Swiss franc. The pharmaceutical industry in particular is poised to benefit from the boom in global trade and growing globalization. Swiss industry, on the other hand, has suffered. And the forecast for the MEM sector remains mixed.

Credit Suisse offers its corporate clients a comprehensive range of products, systematically supplementing them with third-party services to create an entire ecosystem. It includes capital solutions like corporate loans but also covers administrative services such as accounting solutions.

Schenker Storen AG places a high priority on its foreign exchange transactions – not on currency gains, but on security. What is the company's primary currency risk? How does the market leader in sun and weather protection use forward transactions to a strategic advantage? Watch the video interview with Helmut Jehle, the CEO of the Schenker Storen Group, to find out.

Flexible retail is trending with Swiss retailers. In response to structural changes in the retail sector, flexible shop concepts such as pop-up stores are becoming more popular. Learn about the pros and cons.

The people at Scott Sports enjoy taking risks but not when dealing with exchange rate fluctuations. In this interview, the CFO of Scott Sports, Alain Hasler, explains why Scott swears by forward transactions for hedging its currency risks.

Turbulence on the foreign exchange market can shake the cableway industry. Bartholet Maschinenbau AG knows how much risk they can bear and when they would rather take advantage of currency hedging – an interview with Roland Bartholet, Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Value concepts such as the fair value model and the well-known Big Mac Index are used to assess the value of a currency. Under the fair value model, the Swiss franc is overvalued against the euro. Indeed the strength of the currency causes difficulties for many a Swiss company. However, past data from the Big Mac shows that this wasn't always the case.

Currency fluctuations can have a major impact on business results. That's why many companies choose currency hedging. Anja Burford, Head of FX Sales for SMEs and Banks, discusses forward transactions and derivatives and explains the optimal way for clients to hedge.

The majority of Swiss companies are active in foreign trade. Currency risks are part of their day-to-day business. A Credit Suisse study on foreign exchange rate development shows what foreign exchange rates corporate clients expect in 2020 and the extent to which they make use of currency hedging.

Stagnating sales continue to afflict the retail sector in Switzerland. The situation for brick-and-mortar stores is particularly serious. The outlook is better for companies that are strongly investing in e-commerce. Online retail continues to present good opportunities for growth in 2020.

At 1.4%, growth in the Swiss economy in 2020 is likely to exceed the previous year's figure – partly due to Switzerland's stable labor market. The positive economic forecast is nevertheless influenced by major sporting events, which are overstating the situation.

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has applied negative interest rates for nearly five years now. It is expected to continue this expansionary monetary policy for the time being. There is no end in sight for these negative interest rates for the moment.

A flying camera for fire departments? Why not, said the team from Fotokite. Find out where the company get its inspiration for its product innovations and how the start-up secures its financing – CEO Christopher McCall on entrepreneurship and start-up ideas.

Central Switzerland is one of the country's most attractive business locations. With a low tax burden, a large supply of skilled workers, and excellent transport links in many places, the cantons provide ideal conditions for business headquarters. Find out how companies in Central Switzerland have fared over the past few years.

Exporting goods in the face of protectionism – PIEGA Switzerland shows how it's done. CEO Manuel Greiner explains in this video what export barriers PIEGA encounters as a Swiss SME and how the company manages to prosper in spite of them.

Twenty-five years ago, Robert Amrein was reading a corporate file that his Credit Suisse client advisor had given him. Almost everything spoke against buying the company. The entrepreneur did it anyway. Today, CEO Melanie Wicki-Amrein leads Helvesko AG – the company that her father transformed into a success story – with great dedication.

The Credit Suisse SME study shows that trade barriers are on the rise. Thermoplan is also feeling the effects. The coffee machine manufacturer exports 98%of its products, the majority to the USA and China. We look at the impact of trade wars and protectionism on the SME.

Everyone's talking about 1e pension plans. This pension solution is a response by Swiss pension funds to calls for increased customization in retirement provisions. The opportunities presented by 1e plans were also the subject of discussions at the second Credit Suisse entrepreneur conference.

Over the next two decades, demographic changes are set to put the risk ability of pension funds to the test. Credit Suisse economists have researched the factors that influence the situation and have concluded that instead of minimizing high-return equity investments, an increase in risk may actually be more advisable at this point in time. An individual analysis of the investment strategy, taking into account obligations, is essential in this case.

As a result of the Tax Reform and AHV Financing package, many cantons are planning on lowering corporate taxes in order to maintain their locational appeal. This is creating a fresh start for tax competition among the cantons. There is still a tight race to become the most attractive location for companies.

The export mood has darkened and the export barometer is now only just above the growth threshold. Find out which sectors are particularly affected and why the topic of sustainability is becoming increasingly important with regard to exports.

No risk, no fun – Swiss SMEs usually export to countries where doing so is most difficult. But to what extent are Swiss exports really affected by measures that distort trade, and which countries have the most barriers to trade for SMEs in Switzerland? The 2019 SME study reveals the answers.

No risk, no fun – Swiss SMEs usually export to countries where doing so is most difficult. But to what extent are Swiss exports really affected by measures that distort trade, and which countries have the most barriers to trade for SMEs in Switzerland? The 2019 SME study reveals the answers.

More than 43,000 companies were registered in Switzerland in 2018, a figure that would surely make Alfred Escher proud. Of course, the playing field for start-ups has changed since his day. For more, read the expert interview and first-hand tips for success from the 2019 Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Conference.

The Swiss economy held up relatively well in the second quarter of 2019. This was above all attributable to domestic consumer spending and strong consumer goods exports, which acted as a driver of the economy. For manufacturers, however, the situation remains tough even against this backdrop of economic growth.

The baby boomer generation is retiring. And because at the same time fewer young wage earners are taking their place, the shortage of skilled workers in Switzerland will intensify. One sector is being hit particularly hard by this demographic trend.

Being just as successful as Alfred Escher. Is this still possible? This year's Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Conference provided participants with interesting information on an exclusive and first-hand basis. In presentations and panel discussions, renowned speakers discussed what it takes to found a company as well as future political and economic challenges.

It's not only in day-to-day business that protectionism has become a familiar topic, but in the media too. But protectionism is not a new phenomenon, says Alfonso Orlando, Head of ExportHelp at S-GE (Switzerland Global Enterprise). In this interview, he talks about Swiss exports and explains how Swiss SMEs can deal with the hurdles.

The export barometer shows another slight fall. Why demand for Swiss exports is nevertheless expected to increase, and what the biggest challenges are for exports out of Switzerland.

Protectionism has been on the rise globally since the financial crisis of 2009. This SME study by Credit Suisse explores how seriously Swiss SMEs are affected. Where does your company stand in terms of trade and customs barriers? See how your position compares with that of your peers.

Many corporations have the Sword of Damocles hanging over them. This is true for many SMEs in Switzerland for which the ownership structure of the company shares is unclear. Often the presumed shareholders are not in fact the legitimate owners of the company. In this interview, learn how to use digital shares to create clear relationships in the shareholding structure.

The export barometer shows another slight fall. Why demand for Swiss exports is nevertheless expected to increase, and what the biggest challenges are for exports out of Switzerland.

In 1946, Willi Bigler founded a small butcher's shop in Biel. His grandson and great-grandson now run Bigler AG Fleischwaren with 650 employees. In the succession project with Credit Suisse, which was completed in 2015, a diverse range of interests were brought to light, as well as topics that had hardly been talked about in the family until then.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Swiss economy was doing amazingly well. But the outlook is not so cheery. Nevertheless, Swiss GDP is expected to rise by 1.5 percent this year. This is primarily due to one sector.

The Swiss economy is handling the euro-franc exchange rate increasingly well. But for some sectors, the Swiss franc is still significantly overvalued. Find out which sectors are experiencing difficultly and which have the advantage of pricing power.

The Olwo Group's roots may be in its sawmill and planing shop, but the lion's share of its revenue now comes from sales of wood-based products. Whether it's an open-air auction, global trade, or the online shop – Managing Director Markus Lädrach is at home in any sales setting.

The political landscape is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Risks such as trade barriers and Brexit are weighing on exports from Switzerland. What other political risks are SMEs exposed to when exporting to mature markets.

Consumers increasingly prefer to buy online instead of in shops. This has consequences for retail spaces. The supply of vacant shops remains high, even though few new retail spaces are being built.

The "Tax Reform and AHV Financing" (TRAF) reform package was accepted by the electorate on May 19, 2019. In addition to the legal changes entailed by the new Tax Proposal 17, numerous cantons are planning to cut their corporate tax rates. Why you as an entrepreneur should be acting now.

Having set up several firms including founder portal startups.ch, Michele Blasucci has become an expert on the subject. In this interview, he talks about the sectors with the greatest potential and explains why even the best idea can go wrong.

Switzerland is an exporting country. A majority of exports go to Germany, closely followed by the US. France, Canada, and Japan also offer great potential. Discover how exports to these countries have developed and what you should be aware of when exporting.

A majority of Swiss SMEs cannot fully track the ownership of their shares. This may have dire consequences – for example in the event of succession management, if the company is to be sold, or if it needs to raise capital. Digital shares provide a simple solution that many people are unaware of but that pays off for quite a few companies.

The export barometer has fallen again, and export sentiment among Swiss SMEs continues to deteriorate. But Switzerland has an ace up its sleeve: "Swissness" continues to be highly rated by international customers. Why the outlook remains positive on the whole. 

The market for office space in Switzerland is recovering. But the supply of office space is still rising faster than demand. And digitalization is presenting new challenges for providers of office buildings.

Mature markets currently account for three out of every four Swiss francs generated by exports. Will that remain the case or will emerging markets outstrip them? Sascha Jucker, a Credit Suisse economist, answered questions at the Forum for Swiss Foreign Trade and Investment.

Global markets are struggling. This also has repercussions for the Swiss economy. After last year's record-breaking year, export demand is rising only moderately. Only domestic consumer spending is generating growth stimuli. Credit Suisse is reducing its growth forecast.

Exports to China are dependent on China's economic growth. Should Chinese growth slow, Switzerland would see, above all, indirect consequences. And, the industries – besides the watch industry – that are particularly sensitive to changes in China's economic situation.

A large proportion of Swiss exports are sold to mature markets. Accordingly, mature markets are important for SMEs. However, these markets are noticeably saturated. How do you succeed in exporting products and services to mature markets despite this?

The 100 most promising Swiss start-ups are recognized annually at the Top 100 Swiss Start-up Award Night. Making it onto the list may not mean that a company has made it, though it does provide official recognition of the company’s potential – which can be worth millions.

Buying or selling a business outside Switzerland is a special challenge for firms. Read why currency hedging is essential for the process.

The locational quality of the Swiss cantons and regions was virtually unchanged in 2018. Due to the tax reform, however, some movement in the rankings is expected in the next few years. The Credit Suisse locational quality indicator takes a look forward to 2025.

The new, nationwide Entrepreneurs' Day puts the spotlight on the movers and shakers behind Swiss companies. Andreas Gerber, Head of SME Business at Credit Suisse, sees the initiative primarily as a way to honor entrepreneurs for their wide-ranging contribution to the country's prosperity.

Adrian Steiner is the CEO and co-owner of the coffee machine manufacturer Thermoplan AG. His own success and that of Thermoplan read like a fairy tale.

Entrepreneurs want one thing above all: for their business to flourish. Achieving this takes precedence over many other things such as building up private wealth, but also questions about topics such as pension provision and succession. Andreas Gerber, Head of SME Business Switzerland at Credit Suisse, talks about how the bank provides strategic support for companies while keeping sight of what's important.

The Swiss Entrepreneurs Foundation and the Swiss Entrepreneurs Fund promote start-ups and innovative SMEs in Switzerland and thus strengthen Switzerland's appeal as a business location. Credit Suisse contributes to the project – as a founding member of the foundation and co-initiator of the fund.

Currency hedging is important for companies. The heads of Credit Suisse business areas talk about how their clients hedge currency risk.

SMEs expect further growth in exports in 2019. Economic growth remains solid, though slightly weaker than in the record year of 2018.

Companies that export or import are exposed to financial risks. Learn which risks a fluctuating exchange rate poses and how companies can hedge against currency risks.

How do Swiss companies handle currency risks? Ronda AG and Walter Matter SA each follow a different strategy. However, currency management is important for both the watch movement manufacturer and the commodity trader.

The Swiss economy is set to grow 1.7 percent in 2019, a rate lower than that of 2018 . The main driver will be private consumption. In contrast, Swiss exports and investment growth are leveling off.

There is a lot of international competitive pressure on Swiss retail trade, and it is increasingly strengthened by digitalization. This year's Retail Outlook by Credit Suisse shows why foreign competition represents not only a risk but also an opportunity.

Our financing solutions supports your projects.

The right solution for managing payments efficiently? Why not.

Conquer new markets abroad? Why not.

Leave your life's work in good hands? Why not.

Being an entrepreneur or executive brings major responsibilities. What's more, you put all your energy and passion into developing your business. We would be delighted to take care of your personal financial planning. That means helping you grow and preserve your private assets in a way that matches your entrepreneurial plans and tax situation.

Your Knowledgeable Partner for Integrated Cash Management.

Offer the right channel for your banking business? Why not.

Find the right type of credit and apply directly online? Why not.

Optimize your financing mix with customized leasing? Why not.

Finance company growth on your own? Why not.

Start dealing with the question of succession well ahead of time. To help you find your way through the process, it can be broken down into five phases. 

The succession process entails various risks, so bear the following success factors in mind. 

Our advisors will be your expert partners throughout the process. Take advantage of our services. 

Minimize foreign exchange risks? Why not.

Redirect

A user interface as individual as the apps on a smartphone and all accounts from various banks at a glance – clear, flexible, efficient – this is what the new online banking solution for Credit Suisse corporate clients looks like.

Hedging imports and exports? Why not.

Through multibank cash concentration, you benefit from automated liquidity balancing among your Credit Suisse account and your domestic and foreign accounts with other banks.

Our notional cash pooling service enables you to optimize the interest income on your Credit Suisse accounts thanks to the virtual pooling of your balances. 

Use Cashmanager to efficiently manage your surplus funds. 

Find out more about the most important products for hedging interest rate risk. 

We provide customized financing and advice for merchant ocean-going vessels. Your relationship manager will help you to find the best solution for your needs and goals.

Tailored financial solutions for your growth.

Corporate and capital market transactions.

We offer accounts for your daily banking transactions. 

By using the right cards, you make it easier for your employees to manage their expenses. 

Credit Suisse - Financial Partner for Lawyers and Notaries.

Select your personal solution from among our various financing models.

In collaboration with our partner SIX Payment Services, we are offering you an affordable, simple, and transparent credit card acceptance solution for your online shop. A simple, transparent way for your clients to make purchases in your online shop using a credit card. 

In collaboration with our partner SIX Payment Services, we are offering you an affordable, simple, and transparent credit card acceptance solution for your online shop. A simple, transparent way for your clients to make purchases in your online shop using a credit card. 

An IBAN as Individual as You.

Would you like to manage your available liquidity according to your own needs? With the Credit Suisse Balance Optimizer, you make your own rules for automated account transfers.

Would you like to manage your available liquidity according to your own needs? With the Credit Suisse Balance Optimizer, you make your own rules for automated account transfers.

We are your partner for creating and implementing tailored employee share programs in line with the market.

As the Bank for Entrepreneurs, Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd. has established Credit Suisse Collective Foundation 1e. This enables you – as entrepreneur – to set up attractive, contemporary extra-mandatory pension cover for your employees and yourself. All insured – currently for salary components above CHF 127,980 – are able to decide their own pension cover and choose from various investment strategies to suit their personal risk profile.

Wages in Switzerland may rise somewhat more vigorously in the next few years. There are various factors holding back wage growth, however.

Global competition, exchange rate fluctuations, and digitalization are still the main issues facing Swiss SMEs in 2018. International rankings show that Switzerland is one of most competitive countries in the world. How do SMEs rate this competitiveness? Credit Suisse's SME Survey answers this question and more.

Currency hedging and planning security are two factors that preoccupy Swiss SMEs. Despite good economic prospects, the risk of currency fluctuations will always be there. Our publication looks at what strategies a company can follow.

Around 90,000 SMEs in Switzerland are acutely affected by a shortage of skilled workers. What are you doing about it?

Procuring Capital or Making Direct Investments.

Strategy for Withdrawal or Management of Non-Business-Critical Liquidity – Avoid Negative Interest Rates.

Services for Your Owner Shares.

Optimization of the Compensation Cycle.

Income and Asset Structuring for Entrepreneurs. Optimize Private Asset Accumulation at an Early Stage.

The economists at Credit Suisse Economic Research analyze economic and regional developments and economic and market trends on an ongoing basis.

Political “noise” does not impress companies.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) is an economic indicator and shows the current trajectory of business performance in the industry sector.

A company always needs to have enough liquidity for its business operations.

Company succession in corporate management is a complex process, which presents the company with a variety of challenges.

The export sentiment remains high among Swiss SMEs. From the perspective of SMEs, the short-term international growth opportunities are not diminished by the impending trade disputes or Brexit.

What challenges are currently top of the list for Swiss pension funds? As part of an exclusive survey, almost 200 pension fund managers provided answers on this topic and many others.

Credit Suisse's 2017 Sector Handbook takes a look at the 27 biggest sectors in Switzerland and offers a perspective on the most significant developments over the coming years. Where are the risks, and where are the opportunities?

Swiss retail trade is changing: The Swiss retail trade has another difficult year behind it as nominal sector sales fell for the second year in a row in 2016.

Tenants Wanted: 2017 is expected to be no less turbulent.

Many export-oriented Swiss companies have been heavily challenged by the strong Swiss franc in recent years. Thanks to Swiss traits such as innovation, quality and adaptability, not only did many clients overcome this crisis – they managed to emerge from it even stronger.

Issued every 14 days, it includes the current economic indicators and the trend outlook from Credit Suisse Economic Research – sent directly to your smartphone.

Taking the long view: Day-to-day business in Swiss companies is defined by a fast-paced market environment and by technology.

Increase efficiency: In recent years, the Swiss market environment has become more demanding.

Your advisor in wealth management: Borer Chemie AG is a dynamic, family-owned business.

Switzerland was able to assert its position as a world champion in invention and development in the past year. In 2016, our country is once again at the top (or very close to it) in many of the global innovation rankings.

The long-term economic potential of the Swiss canton is heavily influenced by the wider parameters that apply to companies.

Demographic aging continues.

We support you in your role as real estate entrepreneur and private individual.

A study by the Institute of Financial Services Zug (IFZ) at the Hochschule Luzern on behalf of SECO.

Read the profiles to find out more about the road to entrepreneurial success, about the dreams that came true or are yet to come true, about what makes these entrepreneurs particularly proud, and about the values that matter in a long-term partnership.

How will the exchange rates develop in 2019 and what are the risks to the global economy? The study on the foreign exchange market trends from Credit Suisse explores these questions. The study's centerpiece is a major survey among 766 companies on the topic of currency management.

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. The high prices are a sign of wealth as well as a result of the market foreclosure. What would the consequences of a framework agreement between Switzerland and the EU be?

The economic recovery is bringing a change in the real estate market. Demand for office space and office rooms is set to increase.

Protectionism, competition from emerging markets, and digitalization are changing how we export. Swiss SMEs are managing to find the right strategy to position themselves successfully in the global market.

Online Credit enables SMEs to obtain a corporate loan even faster: easy access to corporate financing with an operating or investment loan.

How much progress does Switzerland need? Where does it need more, where less? The Credit Suisse Progress Barometer indicates that entrepreneurs embrace progress more than the general public does. This aspect is related to their willingness to take on risk. Risk tolerance is a quality that makes possible innovation – and improvement along with it.

It is one of the key questions of any entrepreneur: What options do they have available to transfer profits from their company to their private assets while paying as little in taxes as possible? How can they respect their obligations under corporate law but lower their wealth taxes and create optimal conditions for transferring equity at any time? What effect will corporate tax reform (Tax Proposal 17) have on these questions?

Swiss companies are not immune to the effects of globalization, the strong Swiss franc, and growing competitive pressure. However, Swiss SMEs have shown resilience. Not least thanks to numerous financing solutions. The Swiss Credit Handbook 2018 from Credit Suisse examines the creditworthiness of the most important companies on the Swiss bond market.

Geistlich Pharma AG is a global leader in the regeneration of bones and gums. For CEO Paul Note, subsidiaries are a critical success factor for exporting from Switzerland. Read why he encourages SMEs to take the same step.

"1e": The first integrated bank savings solution for SMEs in Switzerland gives investors and in particular companies new freedoms in designing their pension provision. We answer the eight most pressing questions about "1e" pension plans.

Industrie 4.0 and international protectionism present Swiss companies with challenges. At the first Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Congress, figures from the worlds of politics and business discussed how Swiss SMEs can stay competitive.

The Swiss economy is experiencing a "mini-boom." This is due to a perfect combination of various factors that is very unlikely to be repeated in 2019. Several indicators point to economic growth of less than two percent.

So-called "1e" pension plans have various advantages for not only employees but also companies and business owners offering extra-mandatory insurance. Besides transferring company assets to the pension assets, "1e" plans can also help take some of the burden off a company's balance sheet.

Götti eyewear can be purchased around the world. It is, however, easier to export to some countries than it is to export to others. Find out how Götti overcame trade barriers and which markets the Swiss company has its sights set on next.

Companies and individuals fall victim to cybercriminals time and time again. Criminals use a range of cyber-attacks to take advantage of people's trusting nature, willingness to help, or insecurities, with the aim of accessing confidential data or forcing their victims to take specific actions.

Half of all start-ups have disappeared within five years of being founded. You should do your utmost to avoid the following things, thus ensuring that your company is among the 50 percent that survive.

Despite mounting globalization, companies are increasingly being confronted with trade barriers. Customs duties and regulations hamper trade. Daniel Küng, CEO of Switzerland Global Enterprise, encourages small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to venture into exporting regardless.

Demographics and declining immigration reinforce the shortage of skilled workers. Is there a solution to this problem? There is untapped potential among the unemployed, underemployed and in particular in the "hidden reserve."

Each year, 40,000 new companies are founded, 400 of which are considered high-growth. What conditions in Switzerland promote innovation, and where is there room for improvement? Also, what do unicorns and gazelles have to do with start-ups?

Are you and your company planning to expand into a new export market – perhaps even for the first time? Find out what you should be aware of and how you can successfully overcome typical hurdles.

Referral platforms exist not only for private relationships, but also for entrepreneurs. With OpportunityNet, Credit Suisse manages one of the largest databases of its kind in Switzerland. It helps individuals looking to sell their businesses connect with potential buyers and vice versa.

Do you already know what will become of your business in the long term? Developing a strategy at an early stage with alternatives for succession management ensures the future of your life's work. Here we show you the most important strategies and options for preparing a company succession.

City logistics is becoming increasingly important. On one hand, more and more people live in cities and their agglomerations. On the other, they increasingly order items on the internet. To efficiently manage logistics in the city, innovative solutions are required.

The structural revolution in the retail trade is moving forward at full power. Rising levels of vacancies of shop premises show this clearly. A look at the USA reveals how the retail trade in Switzerland could develop.

The revival of demand in the office property market is amplifying the clear signs of stabilization. That is expected to lead to a decline in supply and vacancy rates and a sideways trend for contractually-agreed rents. Supply and demand for office property is stabilizing thanks to the healthy economy, which has an effect on prices. However, in the long run, the need for additional office property is expected to decrease.

Andreas Gerber has been the new President of the Swiss Venture Club for four months. He would like to raise the profile of the entrepreneurs' platform among politicians and encourage SMEs to recognize the opportunities offered by digitalization.

Personal contact and dialogue are especially important when exporting to remote markets.

When Pascal Kaufmann was a student in the United States 17 years ago, he was dissecting a fish brain so that he could connect parts of it to a robot. He started thinking about how wonderful it would be to create a kind of global, interconnected brain to solve problems. He later returned to Switzerland, where he happened to meet business systems engineer Marc Vontobel while working in a university robotics department. As Marc Vontobel recalls, “I had already started several businesses, but none had fascinated me as much as Pascal’s idea did.”

Bigler AG Fleischwaren, located in Büren an der Aare, has grown from a small butcher shop to a large, family-run company over the course of 70 years while always remaining under the ownership of one family. Taking advantage of changes in the industry and automating logistics processes have been the key to growth.

The Ticino-based company Datamars SA uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track pets, textiles and livestock. Livestock, its newest business area, is experiencing rapid growth. Sura Fini Di Pietro is a veteran client advisor for Credit Suisse. She explains in conversation with Datamars CEO, Klaus Ackerstaff, that the company's financing arrangements are unusual, even for her.

Approval of the Responsible Business Initiative would impose a substantial burden on many Swiss businesses – not just on corporations, as the Initiative's German name (Konzernverantwortungsinitiative) would suggest. Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular would feel the effect. Manuel Rybach, Global Head of Public Affairs and Policy at Credit Suisse, explains why.

On September 6, 2017, Andreas Gerber, Head of SME Business Switzerland at Credit Suisse, was elected as the new President of the Swiss Venture Club (SVC) at the Annual General Meeting of the SVC at Bellevue Palace in Bern.

Social media is part of a good communications mix and offers a lot of potential for SMEs.

Among the strengths of Natalie Spross Döbeli, CEO of Spross-Holding AG, are the ability to communicate clearly, see the big picture and keep all of her employees on the same page – and this has allowed her to transform Spross from a top-down to a team-based enterprise. It has also made everything more authentic, she says.

More than one in three people in Switzerland work part-time, including more and more men. For employees who work just a few hours and have a low income, the current pension system can mean large coverage shortfalls. It is important to provide information in a timely manner and create suitable framework conditions.

What do a windshield wiper and a hearing aid have in common? Both can contain tiny metal parts manufactured by Codec SA in Val-de-Ruz. Its CEO Michel di Bernardo explains the company's success with two key words: responsibility and trust.

From athlete to entrepreneur: how life, priorities, and goals change.

Because entrepreneurs' personal and business assets are so tightly intertwined, Credit Suisse offers them advice from a single source through its Entrepreneurs & Executives desks (E&E desks): Advisory teams comprised of a private client advisor and a corporate client advisor meet a wide range of client needs and help clients to optimize their portfolio structure.

There are many situations that can exceed the normal financial requirements of an SME, and circumstances in which an SME wants an exceptional financing model. Today more than ever, capital providers are required to create novel and special solutions to correspond with the demands of the entrepreneur. Swiss Venture Club's strategic partner, Credit Suisse (Switzerland) AG, founded a wholly-owned subsidiary called "Credit Suisse Entrepreneur Capital Ltd. Risk Capital for SMEs" back in 2010, which has invested approximately CHF 100 million in SMEs and young entrepreneurs. The next step followed at the end of 2016 with the new and flexible financing tool: mid-market lending.

Are you trying to improve how you use and administer your company's excess liquidity? This checklist can help you examine possible steps and solutions for your business and its assets.

Until a few years ago, its timber constructions would have been considered technically impossible. But through a great deal of courage and intellect, Blumer-Lehmann AG in Eastern Switzerland has reached the summit in the world of timber architecture. And Katharina Lehmann, President of the Board of Directors, is not resting on her laurels.

Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd. has offered leasing in the Swiss market for more than 50 years and is also the market leader, thanks to its broadly diversified offering. There is also a trend towards leasing among companies, and an increasing number of SMEs are employing this instrument as a possible form of financing. Silvio Mariani, Senior Leasing Specialist at Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Ltd., explains why the construction sector in particular values the advantages of leasing so highly, and what potential there is for leasing in general.

Whether as entrepreneurs, employees, or clients, women are increasingly becoming the driving forces that are actively demanding and implementing change. Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women's World Banking, and Laura Hemrika, Head of Corporate Citizenship & Foundations at Credit Suisse, agree on this. At this year's League of Leading Ladies conference on March 30 and 31, 2017, in Interlaken, they discussed the challenges and solutions associated with this topic.

Two years ago, Silvio and Gaby Inderbitzin established their own foundation, called Edusiga, under Credit Suisse's umbrella foundation Symphasis. Their capital now helps a number of young Kenyans to earn their high school diplomas each year, giving them a life of greater opportunities.

How do you make long-term plans for a risky undertaking like a mountain cableway? Mélanie Eppenberger, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Toggenburg Bergbahnen, talks about the vision behind their most recent investments, ideal financing solutions, and how she counteracts the dependency of the business on the weather.

"Kaizen” became an internationally recognized term through auto manufacturer Toyota, which has used this Japanese philosophy in its production for decades. Noventa Consulting AG advises companies on implementing Kaizen and believes that if implemented consistently, it could keep many jobs in Switzerland.

At just 26 and 28 years old, Marc and Kevin Willy took over the Swiss fashion label Nile. Before that, Kevin set up an office for the company in Shanghai, and Marc drove their expansion into Germany forward. Above all, however, they are a step ahead of other companies in digitalization.

At just 26 and 28 years old, Marc and Kevin Willy took over the Swiss fashion label Nile. Before that, Kevin set up an office for the company in Shanghai, and Marc drove their expansion into Germany forward. Above all, however, they are a step ahead of other companies in digitalization.

Seitz makes valves for various industries, including PET bottle production and nuclear power plants. Four years ago, the company made the decision to keep its production facility in Switzerland despite tremendous cost pressure. CEO Andreas Steiner tells us what actions were taken to boost efficiency following that decision.

Expansion into other countries is associated with new perspectives, but it also carries risks and generates many questions. Credit Suisse supports companies in their internationalization with the help of partners such as Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE).

If the successor for the company does not come from your own family, it can be difficult to search for a suitable buyer single-handedly. As the leading Swiss bank for M&A, Credit Suisse mediates and assists buyers and sellers.

Helvetica Capital AG invests in established Swiss companies. CEO Johannes Suter explains why this makes sense for Switzerland and outlines the philosophy of investors.

Fresh impetus, the latest knowledge, and networking opportunities for female entrepreneurs and businesswomen from all over the world.

The Swiss Venture Club actively pursues the aim of supporting and promoting SMEs as the driving force of the Swiss economy, in order to help create and maintain workplaces in Switzerland.

Despite the positive overall assessment of Switzerland as a business location by SMEs, there are challenges as Switzerland has been increasingly at issue as an industrial and business location since the abolition of the EUR/CHF minimum exchange rate on January 15, 2015. Of the five measures surveyed for countering locational disadvantages, the SMEs describe the introduction of new technologies as the most important one. These are the findings of the survey conducted by Credit Suisse Economic Research. 

For every entrepreneur, corporate succession is one of the most crucial strategic tasks to be performed. Our survey of over 1,300 Swiss small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) clearly shows just how important this subject is in the eyes of business owners. More than three-fourths of the managers surveyed had already begun in some form to tackle the issue of finding a successor.

For nearly three decades, Piega has been manufacturing loudspeakers on Lake Zurich that are nearly unmatched around the globe. How a passion for good music built a company with Swiss precision that stands up to the strong franc.

In a world where people can decide online what they do and do not want to see, quality criteria for marketing communication are more important than ever. The following is a list of questions developed by Frank Bodin for this magazine. If you can answer “yes” to all of them, you are probably on the right track.

Making a clean sweep – this is the perfect metaphor to describe Borer Chemie AG. This family firm in Zuchwil offers innovative cleaning and disinfection solutions, and managed an almost seamless handover to the second generation.

The Swiss export industry is greatly affected by the potential competitive disadvantage that a stronger franc poses. However, the “Swissness” factor should not be underestimated as a coun-terweight. An economic expert and two entrepreneurs told us why it is critical to implement this counterweight in times of crisis.

Five years ago, IBSA, the biggest pharmaceutical company in Ticino, ran into difficulties for a short time owing to the strength of the Swiss franc, but got back on course thanks to its great innovativeness. Since then, the company has continued to rise on the list of the Swiss pharmaceutical companies with the highest turnover and, in terms of fertility medication, occupies fourth place worldwide.

Swiss entrepreneurship as a value proposition: Although the situation appeared tumultuous when the euro exchange rate floor was lifted at the start of 2015, the initial doubts and fears rapidly dissolved when it became clear that Swiss entrepreneurship would remain steady in spite of any headwinds.

Opportunities and challenges in the low interest rate environment: Owing to the strong Swiss franc, many Swiss SMEs with a high proportion of export business were seriously challenged in recent years, or their very existence was under threat.

Internationalization: Experts on the export industry and the "In Brief" column inform you of the latest forecasts and facts.

The topic of company succession is of concern to Swiss SMEs: Over the next five years, almost 1 in four companies will be transferred to a successor.

The economists at Credit Suisse Economic Research analyze economic developments, sector trends, and regional developments on an ongoing basis. Choose the subscriptions you require – and make sure you stay one step ahead.

Whether it's economic developments, sector trends, financial expertise, or product news, we'll keep you up-to-date with the latest topics – in a way that's specially tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs create value and jobs. Entrepreneurs get things done. Entrepreneurs move Switzerland. Entrepreneurs inspire. As the Bank for Entrepreneurs, we provide them with guidance and support.

Benefit from valuable contacts and unique platforms? Why not.

Referral platforms exist not only for private relationships, but also for companies. With Opportunity Net, Credit Suisse manages one of the largest databases of its kind in Switzerland.