The ISFB Observatory of Banking and Financial Skills enters its operational phase

March 3, 2026

Announced in November 2025 at the ISFB Evening in Geneva, the creation of the ISFB Observatory of Banking and Financial Skills is a key step in positioning the ISFB as a reference center for anticipating developments in the sector in terms of skills development and employability in French-speaking Switzerland. Designed as a think and do tank, the Observatory aims to analyze changes in the profession, identify emerging skills, and inform the strategic decisions of financial institutions in terms of human resources and training.

On March 3, 2026, the first interbank coordination meeting was held, marking the start of the operational phase of the project. The Observatory is based on a collective of eight founding banks: BCGE, Pictet, Lombard Odier, Mirabaud, Bordier, Indosuez Wealth Management (Switzerland), Union Bancaire Privée (UBP), and EFG Bank. In collaboration with academic partners, including the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (FPSE) at the University of Geneva, its objective is to produce studies, surveys, and publications designed to fuel debate, guide action, strengthen employability in the long term, and contribute to the competitiveness of the French-speaking Swiss financial center.

A session focused on methodology and priorities

Representatives from banking institutions, HR specialists, and industry experts examined the 2026 work priorities, the initial results of the FPSE's document monitoring, the schedule for sectoral surveys planned for 2026, the proposed revision and development of the ISFB reference framework for key functions, and the procedures for distributing deliverables to the industry. The discussions made it possible to refine the methodological framework, clarify responsibilities, and confirm the agreed-upon collaborative approach.

Three priority objectives set for 2026

Three priority projects will be carried out by the Observatory in 2026:

1. Conducting specific sector-based surveys on the topic of skills: several sector-based surveys will be conducted among institutions and professionals in the field in order to identify changes in occupations, priority skills, and emerging needs. Each survey will result in a structured summary intended for decision-makers and HR managers, in order to inform strategic thinking and training policies.
2. Opening of the ISFB reference framework for key banking functions to the public and integration of podcasts: the ISFB reference framework for key functions, which until now has been used exclusively internally to analyze and structure market needs, will be interfaced with skills assessment tools, particularly those used in the context of career transitions. After its content has been reviewed by the Observatory's interbank committee, a dynamic version of the reference framework will be made available to the general public by the end of summer 2026. The approach adopted is intended to be evolutionary: the reference framework will be regularly updated to incorporate technological, regulatory, and organizational changes in the sector. A series of content dedicated to the professions will accompany this revision, notably in the form of podcasts. These contributions will illustrate career paths, highlight the evolution of skills, and extend the analyses developed in ISFB Insight publications devoted to education sciences and transformations in the banking professions.
3. Continuing research to identify emerging changes: the Observatory will continue its work to identify emerging changes in the banking environment and analyze their impact on business lines, in collaboration with its academic partners. The topics studied will include digitalization and artificial intelligence, sustainability, and changes in the customer base and labor market. The methodology will combine documentary analysis of sector reports and international studies with individual interviews and focus groups conducted with key players in the industry.

A confirmed collective dynamic

The Observatory is now entering an active and structured production phase. It aims to gradually establish itself as a resource for understanding, anticipating, and managing skills in the banking and finance sector in French-speaking Switzerland. By consolidating analyses, objectifying trends, and providing concrete and scalable tools, the Observatory intends to work alongside other specialized players to structure the skills management of tomorrow in a sustainable manner and support institutions in their strategic choices.

ISFB Observatory of banking and financial skills