Banking Skills: The Quiet Transformation

September 21, 2026

Initial findings from the ISFB Observatory reveal how AI, sustainability, and a new approach to skills are reshaping the banking sector in French-speaking Switzerland.

Behind the apparent stability of the banking workforce lies a shift in skill sets. This is revealed by the initial findings of the ISFB Observatory’s research conducted in the first half of 2026. This study, commissioned from Dr. Erwan Bellard and Prof. Nathalie Delobbe of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences (UNIGE), was presented during the September 8 webinar organized in collaboration with Swiss Banking.

Created to anticipate changes in occupations, skills, and training needs within the banking sector in French-speaking Switzerland, the Observatory offers a dual perspective—both academic and practical—on the evolution of skills. Eight local banks provide financial support to the ISFB Observatory. An advisory committee, composed of representatives from the banks and academic partners, guides its research and mapping efforts. “The value of the Observatory lies in tracking all these trends to anticipate emerging skill needs. The goal is to gradually expand the scope of analysis, refine our monitoring, and continue our efforts in market intelligence,” says Mathias Baitan, Executive Director of the ISFB.

Stable workforce numbers mask the reskilling of workers

As for labor market indicators in the financial sector, the figures remain generally encouraging: the workforce in French-speaking Switzerland remained steady at 222,800 full-time equivalents in the fourth quarter of 2025, and economic forecasting institutions do not anticipate any labor market tightness in the coming quarters. For 2026, the ISFB Observatory therefore projects, in its baseline scenario, that the workforce will remain relatively stable. However, two variables warrant close monitoring: the extent to which artificial intelligence is used in the sector and developments in the macroeconomic environment.

Behind the stable employment figures in the banking and finance sectors lies a qualitative, multifactorial restructuring of job roles. This restructuring could initially take place within the sector itself, with varying dynamics depending on the type of institution. For example, the ISFB Observatory identifies a shift in the distribution of jobs between banking institutions and independent asset managers

Not only could this restructuring take place within the sector—through increased mobility of employees across different roles—but it could also occur across sectors, with more bridges between banks, fintech companies, and other financial players, driven by the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence. Experts in the field agree that career paths will become more diverse, with the arrival of professionals from less traditional educational backgrounds and fields of experience in the financial sector.

In addition to these trends, there are geographical changes—linked to shifts in the locations of educational institutions—as well as demographic changes driven by shifts in the age and gender structures of the population.

Amid this major reshaping of the finance industry, one observation stands out: the skills required are likely to become more specialized.

AI and ESG: Drivers of Trends

In its forward-looking analysis, the ISFB Observatory identifies five categories of factors that are expected to accelerate the sector’s evolution. Unsurprisingly, technology and AI play a central role. While new technologies have always accompanied changes in the banking sector, the advent of generative AI marks a new phase: one of more integrated collaboration between humans and machines, rather than the widespread replacement of employees.

Driven by the productivity gains it enables and its potential to improve margins, AI is expected to play an increasingly important role in day-to-day work. Experts at the ISFB Observatory anticipate that it will reshape customer relationships, collaboration methods, and, more broadly, the way teams work together. It therefore requires a rethinking of the skills professionals will need in the future.

Sustainability, meanwhile, is driven by two factors: the scale of the investments required for the transition and the magnitude of the risks associated with it. These two forces are expected to continue to shape the sector’s overall dynamics. Finally, changes in the regulatory framework, geopolitical developments, and political and economic instability will continue to influence the activities and skills sought within the financial center.

From a position-based approach to a competency-based approach

How will these five factors affect human capital? One of the key trends identified by the ISFB Observatory is the gradual shift from a job-based approach to a competency-based approach.

While banks will always need specialized expertise—particularly in areas such as data and Big Data—they will also need to develop new cross-functional skills. Consideration of ESG issues will also need to extend to all functions, while technological literacy will become essential, as will the ability to understand and use generative AI tools in a professional setting.

In terms of interpersonal relationships, teamwork will also take on a new dimension. Employees will be called upon to cooperate in ways that are increasingly interprofessional, intersectoral, multicultural, and intergenerational.

In this new environment, adaptability, sound judgment, and critical thinking will enable employees to take advantage of technological advances. Added to these are communication skills, the ability to collaborate, and a strong sense of ethics—all interpersonal skills that are set to become crucial.

New HR Initiatives at Banks in French-Speaking Switzerland

For human resources, this transformation presents three simultaneous challenges. First, they will need to attract specialized professionals who have become strategic assets, while also recruiting talent from backgrounds and educational paths that may sometimes differ from traditional banking careers. This challenge is made all the more urgent by the aging workforce.

Continuing education will then become a key driver of HR policies: organizations will need to foster a genuine culture of lifelong learning in order to address skills gaps and support employees as their roles evolve.

Finally, the retraining and redeployment of employees to new roles will play a key role in this changing financial landscape. The challenge, therefore, is not only to recruit the talent of tomorrow, but also to develop the skills of those already on staff.

Those most directly affected are, in fact, fully aware of this. According to a survey conducted by Christelle Zagato—a research and survey specialist at the ISFB Observatory and a doctoral student at the University of Fribourg—among 230 banking employees in French-speaking Switzerland, 94% of respondents reported needing to strengthen their skills to continue performing their jobs effectively. Theory and practice converge on one point: no one in the financial sector can afford to rest on their laurels anymore.

© Institut Supérieur de Formation Bancaire (ISFB). All rights reserved.
The analyses and content published by the ISFB may be quoted or reproduced in part, provided that the source is clearly mentioned. Any full or substantial reproduction of this article in another medium or format is subject to the prior written authorization of the ISFB. In order to facilitate reading and without any intention of discrimination, the masculine gender is generally used, in accordance with the grammatical rule that allows it to be used as a neutral value to refer to a group of people comprising both men and women. This publication is intended for ISFB members and their employees in Switzerland, as well as anyone interested in finance in Switzerland. It is not intended to be read or distributed in any jurisdiction where its distribution would be prohibited.

A Look Back at the Webinar Held on September 8 in Collaboration with the Swiss Banking Academy

Salima Barragan

The purpose of the Observatory is to track all these trends in order to anticipate emerging skill needs. This will involve gradually broadening the scope of analysis, refining monitoring efforts, and continuing to track developments.

Mathias Baitan, General Manager