Business
SIX, the operator of the Swiss financial market infrastructure, has announced a historic milestone, surpassing 1 trillion Swiss francs in international assets under custody for the first time. This record-breaking figure, driven largely by a rally in U.S. equity markets, highlights the growing importance of seamless cross-border asset servicing in today’s interconnected global economy.
For the average consumer, banking is often associated with a simple checking account or a savings deposit. However, in the institutional world, “custody” is the critical engine room of finance. Custody services involve the safekeeping and administration of financial assets—such as equities, bonds, and structured products—on behalf of institutional investors. SIX’s achievement of reaching 1 trillion francs in international assets (bringing its total domestic and international assets to 7.2 trillion francs) underscores its role as a massive, secure vault for the global financial system. This scale ensures that when banks and brokers trade across borders, the underlying assets are held securely and managed efficiently.
The surge in assets is not just a result of new client acquisition but is deeply tied to market performance. The strong recovery in global markets, particularly the U.S. equity sector, acted as a primary catalyst. Assets in the equity class jumped by 44 billion francs (6 percent) since the start of the year, fueled by demand for foreign registered shares and international ETFs.
Interestingly, this growth wasn’t limited to stocks. Bonds in custody saw a 12 percent increase, reflecting how shifting interest rate policies globally are renewing investor appetite for fixed-income securities. Furthermore, a 31 percent spike in warrants and structured products suggests that despite economic uncertainties, the market’s appetite for sophisticated financial instruments remains robust. For businesses and asset managers, this growth confirms that SIX offers a stable platform capable of handling increased trading volumes and complex asset types across key markets like the U.S., Germany, and the UK.
For financial institutions, outsourcing custody to a specialist like SIX is a strategic necessity. Managing cross-border assets requires navigating complex regulations and tax laws. By leveraging SIX’s “fully integrated” international custody services, banks can offload this operational burden.
This efficiency allows banks to redirect their resources toward their core consumer-facing activities, such as improving digital banking interfaces, issuing loans, or underwriting a new mortgage. In an era where credit margins are squeezed and competition from fintechs is fierce, banks cannot afford to be bogged down by back-office inefficiencies. SIX’s ability to handle everything from hedge funds to structured products provides the infrastructure that traditional banks need to remain agile. It ensures that the plumbing of the financial system works flawlessly, allowing capital to flow freely between international markets and local portfolios.
SIX’s milestone is a testament to a successful international growth strategy. By capitalizing on market rallies and expanding its footprint in major financial hubs, SIX has solidified its position not just as a Swiss infrastructure provider, but as a global powerhouse in asset servicing.
Economic Insight: The 12% rise in bond custody suggests that institutional investors are locking in yields, anticipating that the global interest rate cycle may have peaked.
Professional Tip: For asset managers, the surge in ETF custody highlights the need to partner with custodians who have robust, automated capabilities for handling high-volume, passive investment vehicles.
Broker Perspective: The growth in international custody out of Switzerland reinforces the country’s status as a safe haven; investors are increasingly looking for stable jurisdictions to hold cross-border assets amidst geopolitical volatility.
Or Sushan
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January 1, 2026
Or Sushan
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January 1, 2026
Or Sushan
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December 31, 2025
