ISFB Observatory of banking and financial skills
Creation of the Banking and Finance Skills Observatory
November 6, 2025
A unique system for anticipating business needs and supporting the transformation of skills in the banking and finance sector.
The Institut Supérieur de Formation Bancaire (ISFB) announces the creation of the ISFB Banking and Financial Skills Observatory, a first-of-its-kind initiative in French-speaking Switzerland designed to anticipate changes in the sector's professions and support the development of skills within the Geneva financial center. As part of the ISFB, the Observatory aims to become a reference tool for senior executives, HR managers and training professionals seeking reliable data to guide their skills development policies. The founding banks are Banque Cantonale de Genève (BCGE), Banque Pictet & Cie SA, Banque Lombard Odier & Cie SA, Banque Mirabaud & Cie SA, Banque Bordier & Cie SCmA, and Banque Indosuez Wealth Management in Switzerland.
Anticipate, understand and act
In Switzerland, according to the HR Swiss umbrella organization, companies invest an average of 2 to 3 days in training per employee per year (Benchmark HR 2025, HR Swiss). This figure underlines the scale of the medium- and long-term challenge to be met in the field of skills development: skills deficits or obsolescence will eventually constitute a major issue for employers, but also for individual employability. Artificial intelligence, digitalization and demographic ageing will profoundly reconfigure the availability of skills over the next two decades. The Canton of Geneva's Master Plan for Employability (PDEm 2035) outlines a strategy for strengthening skills, promoting lifelong learning and responding to the shortage of skilled labor.
As a professional association dedicated to skills development for the banking and financial sector, ISFB's mission is to support the development of employee employability and strengthen the competitiveness of establishments through the continuous enhancement and adaptation of skills.
The Observatory has four main missions: to anticipate changes in professions and the key skills of tomorrow; to inform HR and training policies with robust data; to connect financial institutions, experts and the academic world; and to promote the results in the form of recommendations, training courses and events.
A collaborative, scientific approach
The Observatory operates on the basis of institutional contributions and relies on partnerships with university institutes accredited under the LEHE, guaranteeing the scientific and ethical rigor of the studies carried out. The results are then disseminated by ISFB to the entire banking and financial ecosystem.
The ISFB Observatory's first research project will be conducted in partnership with the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPSE) at the University of Geneva, under the scientific direction of Prof. Nathalie Delobbe, full professor in the field of Adult Education and Learning in Organizations, and Dr. Erwan Bellard, scientific collaborator. The ISFB Observatory will be overseen by Dr Mathias Baitan, ISFB's Managing Director, and supported by a working group comprising the founding banks, who will actively participate in the studies and facilitate access to the field.
First results are expected in 2026.
"The ISFB Observatory is a concrete expression of our collective determination to anticipate changes in the industry and to provide long-term support for the skills needed to serve the French-speaking financial center."
"The creation of the ISFB Observatory marks a decisive step in anticipating the transformations in the banking sector. By investing in knowledge of tomorrow's skills, we are strengthening our collective ability to remain competitive and relevant."
"The rapid evolution and complexity of the banking and financial professions require a detailed understanding of these changes and the implementation of relevant and innovative training strategies. As a founding member of the ISFB Observatory, we are affirming our commitment to preparing tomorrow's talent and strengthening the competitiveness of private banking and Geneva's financial center in a context of digital and sustainable transformation."
"At Mirabaud, we are convinced that people make the difference in our businesses, and that agility will be a determining factor in the face of the technological transformations underway. The Observatory will provide the entire financial community, employers and employees alike, with a valuable insight into how to anticipate these changes, by combining academic rigor with concrete action."
"The Observatoire des compétences bancaires et financières represents a strategic compass that will enable us to anticipate transformations in the sector, connect expertise and make people the key to banking and financial transformation."
"In a context marked by rapid technological change and increasing regulatory requirements, it is essential to revisit the banking professions in order to meet the challenges of tomorrow. This collaborative initiative, unique in Switzerland, reflects our desire to support employability, promote excellence in skills in the financial sector, accompany the transformation of these professions and strengthen the competitiveness and attractiveness of the Swiss financial center, while contributing to its sustainable development and international influence."
"Understanding how businesses evolve means understanding how to develop skills and, consequently, the collective competitiveness of our financial center and the employability of employees in the sector."
