FINMA Warns Banks on Easing Mortgage Standards

The Swiss financial regulator FINMA, led by Urban Angehrn, warned banks on May 22, 2025, about lax mortgage lending practices, signaling potential risks to the financial system.

Increased regulatory scrutiny may impact Swiss banks’ mortgage financing capacity, indirectly influencing related markets, but no significant reactions from the crypto sector have been observed.

The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)

has issued a warning to banks over lenient mortgage lending practices. The regulator emphasized significant threats concerning the current leniency in affordability assessments. Such practices could increase systemic risks. FINMA’s CEO Urban Angehrn reported that excessive exceptions in affordability criteria are prevalent, affecting 25 to 40 percent of lending. The consequences involve a possible need for regulatory improvement, with banks failing to adhere to their own guidelines. As Angehrn noted, “The results of the supervisory activities at various banks show that the principles-based regulation concerning mortgage lending is being exploited. This relates in particular to the assessment of affordability and valuation practice and indicates a possible need for regulatory improvement.”

The warnings could affect the traditional banking industry, particularly in mortgage-backed financing and credit availability. The financial system’s stability could potentially be challenged, impacting consumer confidence in the Swiss market. Economically, such regulatory scrutiny might lead to changes in credit supply chains and could influence risk premiums. Additionally, banks may now face increased oversight in their future lending decisions, influencing broader financial policies. For a broader perspective, you might consult FINMA’s recent Risk Monitor report, which highlights various market vulnerabilities.

The guidelines may indirectly impact related sectors such as real estate and insurance. If implemented, tighter regulations might shift previous market patterns, adjusting the dynamics in credit supply and affordability criteria. Past Swiss interventions, like the 2022 countercyclical capital buffer, have set precedents for such regulatory actions. Data suggests further scrutiny on mortgage lending standards could rebalance risk management strategies across banks.