Technology Stack Checklist for FINMA Portfolio Managers (FinIA/FinSA)

FINMA Expects Professional-Grade Technology — Not Spreadsheets

Switzerland’s regulatory transformation under FinIA and FinSA has elevated technology expectations dramatically.
What was once acceptable for independent asset managers — spreadsheets, unstructured workflows, multiple small systems — no longer meets regulatory requirements.

Supervisory organizations (SOs) now expect firms to show:

• Automated client onboarding
• Documented AML processes
• Clear suitability/appropriateness trails
• Professional portfolio management systems
• Reconciliation and data quality controls
• Reliable reporting infrastructure
• Active risk & compliance monitoring
• Secure document storage
• IT governance and cybersecurity

This article provides the definitive, regulator-aligned technology checklist for Swiss portfolio managers.

1. Digital Client Onboarding Platform

Under FinSA and Swiss AML law, onboarding must be:

• Documented
• Auditable
• Secure
• Evidence-based
• Automated where possible

Your onboarding system must support:

• KYC (individuals)
• KYB (corporates)
• Document upload & verification
• E-signatures
• Beneficial owner identification Source of wealth / funds
• PEP & sanctions screening
• Risk scoring
• Full audit trail

Why it’s required

SOs frequently inspect onboarding records and AML evidence.

2. AML/CTF Screening & Monitoring Tools

AML processes must be operational, not theoretical.

Your AML system must support:

• PEP, sanctions, and adverse media checks
• Ongoing monitoring
• Risk scoring & profiling
• Review cycles
• Alerts & escalations
• Suspicious activity workflows
• FATCA/CRS data collection
• Complete audit logs

Why it’s required

FINMA expects a structured, risk-based AML approach.

3. FinSA Client Classification System

Under FinSA, client segmentation is mandatory:

• Retail
• Professional
• Institutional
• Opting-out/in options

System requirements:

• Documented classification
• Evidence of status
• Automatic workflow integration with onboarding
• Audit trail
• Automatic selection of applicable FinSA obligations

Why it’s required

Client classification drives all FinSA conduct obligations.

4. Suitability & Appropriateness Engine

Portfolio managers must demonstrate that every investment decision aligns with:

• Client investment objectives
• Risk tolerance
• Financial situation
• Knowledge & experience

Your system must support:

• Risk questionnaires
• Automated scoring
• Client profile creation
• Suitability checks before product selection
• Appropriateness testing for complex instruments
• Full evidence & documentation
• Review reminders

Why it’s required

SOs will audit suitability evidence during inspections.

5. Portfolio Management System (PMS)

A PMS is the core operational hub.

Your PMS must support:

• Multi-asset portfolios
• Real-time valuations
• TWR/MWR performance
• Exposure analytics
• FX handling
• Benchmarking
• Corporate actions
• Model portfolios
• Rebalancing tools
• Fee & billing automation

Why it’s required

FINMA expects accurate, reconciled investment data.

6. Multi-Custodian Data Aggregation

Swiss managers typically use multiple private banks and custodians.

Your system must:

• Import custodial data automatically
• Normalize formats & identifiers
• Combine multiple accounts under clients/mandates
• Handle multi-currency portfolios
• Maintain historical accuracy

Why it’s required

Clean data is essential for suitability, reporting, and risk.

7. Reconciliation Engine

FINMA expects automatic reconciliation of:

• Positions
• Cash
• Transactions

Your system must:

• Match custodian vs. internal data
• Flag exceptions
• Provide a review workflow
• Maintain historical logs
• Support periodic sign-offs

Why it’s required

Reconciliation failures create major regulatory and operational risks.

8. Performance, Exposure & Risk Analytics

Swiss managers must demonstrate that they monitor risk proactively.

System must provide:

• Market, FX & interest rate risk
• Concentration risk
• Exposure breakdowns
• Performance attribution
• Liquidity metrics (if relevant)
• Stress testing (recommended)
• Counterparty exposure

Why it’s required

Risk monitoring is reviewed during SO inspections.

9. Compliance Monitoring & Internal Controls System (ICS)

Compliance isn’t optional — and must be evidenced.

Your compliance system must support:

• Compliance monitoring plan
• Best execution oversight
• Conflicts register
• Gifts & hospitality log
• Personal account dealing monitoring
• Breaches & incident register
• Complaints handling
• Outsourcing oversight log
• Regulatory change tracking

Why it’s required

SOs look for documentation, not verbal assurances.

10. Document Management & Audit Trail System

FINMA expects organized, secure, version-controlled documentation.

Your document vault must include:

• Policies & procedures
• ICS & compliance evidence
• Committee minutes
• Client documents
• Suitability records
• AML documentation
• Contracts & agreements
• Reports & statements

Technical requirements:

• Versioning
• Role-based access control
• Encryption
• Audit logs
• Backup & retention policies

11. Client Reporting & Communication System

Under FinSA, periodic client reporting is mandatory.

System must support:

• Portfolio valuations
• Performance reports
• Cost disclosures
• Holdings & transactions
• Regulatory disclosures
• Secure messaging
• White-labeled client portal

Why it’s required

Clear, fair, and timely reporting is a legal obligation.

12. Fee Engine & Billing Infrastructure

Swiss firms typically charge:

• Management fees
• Performance fees
• Retrocessions (caps, transparency rules)
• Advisory fees

System must support:

• Multi-tier fee structures
• Custom schedules
• Watermarks
• Audit logs
• Statement generation

13. IT Governance & Cybersecurity Requirements

FINMA and SOs require strict IT governance.

Your IT controls must include:

• Access controls
• Multi-factor authentication
• Data encryption
• Backup procedures
• Penetration testing
• Vendor due diligence
• Disaster recovery plan
• Cyber incident response plan
• Logs for all system actions

Why it’s required

Cybersecurity is a major regulatory focus area.

The Complete Technology Checklist for Swiss Portfolio Managers

• ‍Onboarding & AML/KYC ‍
• FinSA client classification ‍
• Suitability & appropriateness engine ‍
• PMS (core portfolio management system) ‍
• Data aggregation ‍
• Reconciliation engine ‍
• Risk & performance analytics ‍
• Compliance monitoring system (ICS) ‍
• Document management & audit trails ‍
• Client reporting & portal ‍
• Fee & billing engine ‍
• IT governance & cybersecurity tools

This is the minimum viable operational tech stack for a FINMA-regulated portfolio manager.

Why Swiss Portfolio Managers Choose Reluna

Reluna delivers all essential Swiss operational tools in one integrated platform.

Reluna includes:

• Digital onboarding & AML/KYC
• FinSA classification
• Suitability workflows
• PMS with analytics & exposures
• Multi-custodian aggregation
• Full reconciliation
• Compliance monitoring (ICS)
• Document vault & audit logs
• Fee & billing engine
• Client reporting portal IT governance support
• Multi-entity structures

Key benefits

• Lower operational cost
• Faster readiness for SO/FINMA supervision
• Centralized & clean data
• Easier audits
• Stronger controls
• Superior client experience

Reluna gives Swiss firms a complete, FINMA-aligned operational backbone from day one.

Next Steps

Whether you are preparing for FINMA authorization or scaling your Swiss portfolio management business, the right operational tech stack is essential.

👉 Request a Reluna demo to see how we help Swiss firms achieve full FinIA/FinSA compliance through integrated technology.