Johannes A Bürgi
Updates
Banking & Financial Services
Legal aspects of receivables embodied in bills of exchange
Switzerland | 23 June 2020Bills of exchange are subject to strict regulations governing their formal and substantive aspects. However, the position of the beneficiary of a bill of exchange is much stronger than the legal position of the contractual assignee of a receivable not embodied in such an instrument. Thus, from a Swiss perspective, it is worthwhile considering a draft purchase structure, particularly in case of a high value of the single receivables that will be subject to the transaction.
Legal considerations of assignment of receivables under Swiss international private law
Switzerland | 03 March 2020From a Swiss legal perspective, in order to ascertain the enforceability of an assignment against a debtor of receivables, the assignment of a receivable must be subject to the law governing the receivables. Further, in order to safeguard the validity of a Swiss law-governed assignment of receivables under a formalities perspective, care must be taken that a wet-ink original of each declaration of assignment is made available to the assignee.
Key considerations regarding asset classes and assignability of receivables
Switzerland | 22 October 2019In recent years, the number of publicly placed and listed securitisation transactions in the car leasing and credit card sectors has increased significantly. The driving force behind this development is economic rather than legislative, as Swiss law places no specific restrictions on asset classes eligible for securitisation. However, compliance with certain Swiss legal concepts is crucial when setting up a securitisation transaction involving Swiss law-governed receivables.
Securitisation transactions: avoidance actions under DEBA
Switzerland | 02 July 2019A key consideration for any investor or rating agency is the insolvency analysis of a securitisation transaction. In this context, the insolvency remoteness of the special purpose vehicle is a decisive element. Another important consideration are the circumstances under which a securitisation transaction may be set aside in the context of an insolvency proceeding. This article focuses on the avoidance actions set out in the federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act.
Legal considerations regarding SPVs
Switzerland | 26 March 2019Switzerland has no specific securitisation legislation. Therefore, securitisation transactions are subject to the general legal framework that applies to all other financial transactions with respect to, among others, both corporate law and regulatory matters. This article provides a short overview of certain company-related aspects to consider when setting up a special purpose vehicle structure for a securitisation transaction in Switzerland.
Regulatory aspects of securitisation in Switzerland
Switzerland | 22 January 2019The Swiss securitisation market is highly active and attractive for both issuers and investors. However, Switzerland has not enacted any specific securitisation legislation. Therefore, securitisation transactions are subject to the general legal framework that applies to any other type of financial transaction. This article provides a short overview of several regulatory aspects to consider when setting up a securitisation transaction in Switzerland.
Securitisation in Switzerland – an overview
Switzerland | 06 November 2018The Swiss securitisation market has developed steadily and successfully in recent years, attracting various issuers for both private and public transactions. Many of these issuers have become constant issuers on the Swiss market, which remains active and driven by the still low (or negative) interest environment. Specifically, recent notable activity has concerned auto-lease assets and credit cards, mortgage assets and the asset-backed security market environment.
The Mortgage Bond System: An Alternative Source of Finance
Switzerland | 14 April 2009The ongoing disruption of credit and capital markets is urging banks to pursue refinancing solutions that have rarely been used in the past or that have previously been used in a different context. A recent transaction shows that the mortgage bond system might become an efficient refinancing tool in situations where a secured refinancing transaction is difficult to structure or an off-balance sheet securitization is not possible.
Opco/Propco Structures under Swiss Law
Switzerland | 04 December 2007The use of operating company ('opco') and property company ('propco') structures has recently become increasingly common in the Swiss lending and securitization market. Using these structures often leads to more efficient and less expensive financing. This update outlines some of the most significant features and issues related to setting up an opco/propco structure.
Transferring Agreements under Transfer of Assets Rules
Switzerland | 19 June 2007A provision of the Swiss Merger Act facilitates a transfer of assets from the originator to the securitization vehicle in a securitization transaction. Although some issues require clarification, the new transaction method will in most cases facilitate the transfer of a portfolio consisting of a large number of agreements, particularly with regard to the third-party consent required for such a transfer.
CMBS Wave Finally Hits Switzerland
Switzerland | 01 August 2006Switzerland has recently seen a major increase in both origination and securitization activity in the commercial real estate market. It is expected that this year will see another increase in commercial mortgage-backed securitization (CMBS) transactions, and that future multi-jurisdictional and pan-European deals including Swiss assets will be conducted.
