The purpose, resources and organisation of the VQF are regulated in the by-laws of the Association in accordance with Art. 60 Para. 2 of the Swiss Civil Code (SCC).

The revision of the English version of our articles of association is currently in process. Please refer for the time being to the German version of the revised articles of association:

Art. 2 of the by-laws states the purpose of the association as follows:

1) The purpose of the Association is to assure the quality of financial services and to enforce a high level of business ethics on the basis of self-responsibility.

2) The Association acts as a multi-sector self-regulatory organisation (hereinafter referred to as: "SRO") in terms of the Federal Act on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing of 10 October 1997 (hereinafter referred to as: "AMLA") and aims to control compliance with duties in accordance with the AMLA. For this purpose, the Association exercises permanent control over the members of the SRO (hereinafter referred to as: "VQF SRO members") with regard to compliance with the provisions of the AMLA and the Association's by-laws (hereinafter: “by-laws”) and the Association's SRO regulations. 

The Association may act directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, participations in other companies or cooperation with third parties in the area of supervision of financial intermediaries and financial institutions in accordance with Swiss financial market legislation. 

It may establish branch offices and subsidiaries and may participate in other companies, and may carry out all transactions which are directly or indirectly related to its purpose.

3) The Association may act as an industry organisation and issue, audit and enforce professional rules and codes of professional conduct.

4) The Association may exercise all activities related to the Association's purposes as specified above. The Association may conduct its own on-site audits or instruct an auditing firm to carry out ordinary and limited audits, special inspections and specific statutory audits.

The Supervisory Commission Rules of Procedure The Supervisory Commission consists of technical specialists with great practical knowledge and many years of experience. Conflicts of interest are ruled out due to the independent nature of the Supervisory Commission. The members of the Supervisory Commission are also obliged to maintain the strictest of confidentiality.

The Supervisory Commission is responsible for admitting new members, approving audit reports, processing applications in respect of changes and exceptional circumstances as well as any sanctions and disciplinary proceedings.

The solid knowledge and many years of industry experience of the employees at the Legal & Compliance Desk provide a guarantee of practically oriented, professional, confidential consulting. In addition to German, the legal counsels also have good knowledge of the English language.

The members of this team conduct basic and advanced training seminars in German and English language as well as customised company training, advise members, prepare checklists and auxiliary resources which assist members to fulfil their duties and advise the Association's other organisational units (supervisory and service divisions) with regard to legal matters.

André Steiner, Head a.i.

MLaw

Giada Ceotto

MLaw

Jochen Fundel

dipl. iur.

Monika Hunkeler
lic. iur., MAS ECI

Felicitas Ronneberger

MLaw

The CEO is responsible for the overall management, including the organizational, technical, HR-related, administrative and financial management of VQF according to the decisions of the Management Board of VQF. The CEO is also responsible to liaise with authorities and media representatives. Furthermore, the CEO actively supports other bodies of VQF. 

Martin Zuan CEO a.i. Chairman MLaw