Personnel changes at Finma often make headlines. In early April, it was announced that Birgit Rutishauser, deputy to director Stefan Walter, would be leaving the authority. Now, with Thomas Hirschi’s departure, another heavyweight is exiting the stage.

According to a statement released Tuesday, Hirschi has decided to leave Finma on August 31, 2025, to pursue new professional opportunities.

A Man for All Cases

Hirschi joined Finma’s executive board in 2020 to lead the Asset Management division. In February 2022, he took over the Banking division. He is a key knowledge holder, having worked at Finma and its predecessor, the Swiss Federal Banking Commission, from 2004 to 2015 in various senior roles.

He was previously head of the Risk Management department within the Banking division, and before that, oversaw supervision of a major Swiss bank as well as the retail, commercial, and trading banks. Hirschi also brings private-sector experience, having worked in risk management at J.P. Morgan in Geneva.

Who Will Finalize the Credit Suisse Crisis Review?

From October 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, Hirschi also served as interim deputy to then-interim Finma director Rutishauser, who had stepped in after Urban Angehrn resigned for health reasons.

The press release highlights Hirschi’s deep involvement in managing and reviewing the Credit Suisse crisis. However, it does not provide any information about his successor for this particularly critical leadership role.