{"id":32353,"date":"2026-03-24T11:51:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T10:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/?p=32353"},"modified":"2026-03-30T08:35:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T07:35:07","slug":"financial-intermediaries-the-chain-of-criminal-liability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/financial-intermediaries-the-chain-of-criminal-liability\/","title":{"rendered":"Financial intermediaries: the chain of criminal liability (part one)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div  data-size='featured_large'  data-lightbox_size='large'  data-animation='slide'  data-conditional_play=''  data-ids='32350'  data-video_counter='0'  data-autoplay='false'  data-bg_slider='false'  data-slide_height=''  data-handle='av_slideshow'  data-interval='5'  data-class=' avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first   '  data-css_id=''  data-scroll_down=''  data-control_layout='av-control-default'  data-custom_markup=''  data-perma_caption=''  data-autoplay_stopper=''  data-image_attachment=''  data-min_height='0px'  data-default-height='42'  class='avia-slideshow avia-slideshow-1  av-control-default av-default-height-applied avia-slideshow-featured_large av_slideshow  avia-builder-el-0  el_before_av_heading  avia-builder-el-first    avia-slide-slider '  itemprop=\"ImageObject\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\" ><ul class='avia-slideshow-inner ' style='padding-bottom: 52.333333333333%;' ><li  class=' av-single-slide slide-1 ' ><div data-rel='slideshow-1' class='avia-slide-wrap '   ><img src='https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Allnews-Theo-Goetschin-intermediaries-criminal-liability.png' width='1200' height='628' title='Allnews-Theo-Goetschin-intermediaries-criminal-liability' alt=''  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"   \/><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<div style='padding-bottom:10px; font-size:26px;' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h1  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-1  el_after_av_slideshow  el_before_av_hr   av-inherit-size '><h1 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Financial intermediaries: the chain of criminal liability (part one)<\/h1><div class ='av-subheading av-subheading_below  ' style='font-size:15px;'><p>Allnews &#8211; March 2026<br \/>\nTh\u00e9o Goetschin<\/p>\n<\/div><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div style='height:30px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-2  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_button  '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class='avia-button-wrap avia-button-left  avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_hr  '><a href='https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Allnews-Theo-Goetschin-intermediaires-financiers-risque-penal.pdf'  class='avia-button   avia-icon_select-no avia-color-theme-color avia-size-large avia-position-left '  target=\"_blank\"   ><span class='avia_iconbox_title' >Download pdf (available only in French)<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<div style='height:30px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-4  el_after_av_button  el_before_av_textblock  '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>For financial intermediaries, criminal risk is no longer a theoretical abstraction. In recent years, several landmark cases have shown how operational failings, sometimes limited in scope, can lead to significant criminal convictions. In 2025, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland thus sanctioned several institutions for failing to put in place sufficient organisational measures to prevent money laundering linked to cases of international corruption. At cantonal level, banks have also been convicted of a lack of due diligence following proceedings initiated on the basis of reports to MROS, resulting in substantial fines and confiscations.<\/p>\n<p>These cases illustrate a now well-established reality: the fight against money laundering has become a central criminal issue in the activities of financial intermediaries. Whilst the criminal provisions on money laundering are better understood today, their practical application continues to generate criminal risks that are often underestimated, both for employees and for the institution itself.<\/p>\n<p>As in other areas of economic criminal law, the anti-money laundering framework is characterised by a close intertwining of individual responsibilities and organisational liability. Client relationship managers, compliance department staff, as well as senior managers and governing bodies, may find themselves exposed to personal criminal liability due to acts or omissions occurring in the day-to-day application of due diligence rules. This individual risk is not, however, isolated: it may, in certain circumstances, lead to the company\u2019s criminal liability, particularly where organisational failings are identified.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div style='padding-bottom:10px; font-size:20px;' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h2  blockquote modern-quote  avia-builder-el-6  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_hr   av-inherit-size '><h2 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Beyond the substantive aspects, the series will also pay particular attention to the procedural measures available to companies and their employees.<\/h2><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div style='height:30px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_textblock  '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>It is against this backdrop that this series of five articles is set. Following a general introduction, the forthcoming articles will successively address money laundering within the meaning of Art. 305bis of the Swiss Criminal Code (SCC), the Corporate criminal liability based on Art. 102 SCC, Insufficient diligence in financial transactions and right to report under Art. 305ter of the Swiss Criminal Code, and the Violation of the duty to report under Article 37 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), before concluding with an analysis of selected procedural aspects, in particular searches and the sealing of evidence.<\/p>\n<p>The aim of this series is threefold. Firstly, it seeks to illustrate in concrete terms how the aforementioned criminal risks may materialise in practice. Secondly, we intend to outline the mechanisms by which an employee\u2019s individual criminal liability may, in certain circumstances, become the company\u2019s criminal liability, particularly where the underlying offence reveals a failure in organisation or internal control. Finally, each article will aim to draw some lessons from recent case law, which illustrates both the practice of the courts and prosecuting authorities and the limits of criminal liability.<\/p>\n<p>Recent developments show that the proliferation of standards and stakeholders involved proportionally increases the risks of criminal liability. However, this trend does not mean that criminal liability is inevitable. An adequate anti-money laundering framework, a thorough understanding of the obligations under the AMLA, and constant vigilance in their application are key factors in avoiding both individual liability for employees and that of the company.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond the substantive aspects, the series will also pay particular attention to the procedural measures available to companies and their employees. Mastering these measures, particularly in the event of a search and seizure of evidence, makes it possible to restrict access to sensitive information and ensure effective protection for the company and its staff.<\/p>\n<p>Through this series, we aim to provide practitioners with a pragmatic framework for understanding the main pitfalls associated with the implementation of AMLA obligations, highlighting the interplay between individual liability, corporate liability and procedural safeguards.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p style=\"text-align: right;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/portfolio-item\/theo-goetschin\/\">Th\u00e9o Goetschin<\/a><br \/>\nCounsel &amp; Head of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/competence\/white-collar-crime\/\">White-Collar Crime<\/a> group, Geneva<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<div style='padding-bottom:10px; font-size:20px;' class='av-special-heading av-special-heading-h3  blockquote modern-quote modern-centered  avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_hr   av-inherit-size '><h3 class='av-special-heading-tag '  itemprop=\"headline\"  >Share on LinkedIn<\/h3><div class='special-heading-border'><div class='special-heading-inner-border' ><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div style='height:50px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-11  el_after_av_heading  el_before_av_one_fifth  '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-12  el_after_av_hr  el_before_av_one_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-13  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-14  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><div class='av-social-sharing-box  avia-builder-el-15  avia-builder-el-no-sibling   '><div class='av-share-box'><ul class='av-share-box-list noLightbox'><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-linkedin' ><a target='_blank' href='https:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&amp;title=Financial%20intermediaries%3A%20the%20chain%20of%20criminal%20liability%20%28part%20one%29&amp;url=https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/financial-intermediaries-the-chain-of-criminal-liability\/' aria-hidden='true' data-av_icon='\ue8fc' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on Linkedin'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on Linkedin<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-16  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-17  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_hr  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><\/div>\n<div style='height:50px' class='hr hr-invisible   avia-builder-el-18  el_after_av_one_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  '><span class='hr-inner ' ><span class='hr-inner-style'><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A five-part series: from individual errors to organisational failings, how criminal risk materialises and what recent case law tells us.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":32428,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,655],"tags":[560],"datespeciale":[],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-32353","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-media-and-news","category-news","tag-allnews-en","competences-droit-penal-economique","competences-white-collar-crime","auteurs-theo-goetschin-en","date-publication-2224","diffusion-groupe-penal-economique","diffusion-groupe-white-collar-crime","diffusion-medias-en","diffusion-news-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32353","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32353"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32353\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32432,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32353\/revisions\/32432"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32353"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32353"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32353"},{"taxonomy":"datespeciale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/datespeciale?post=32353"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fbt-avocats.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=32353"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}