Stefan Walter to become new CEO of FINMA

Stefan Walter will become CEO of FINMA on 1 April 2024. He succeeds Urban Angehrn, who stepped down at the end of September 2023, and Birgit Rutishauser, who is currently overseeing operations as interim CEO. The Board of Directors conducted a broad search to fill the post. The Federal Council today ratified the appointment by FINMA’s Board of Directors.

Stefan Walter (59, German national) has been Director General at the European Central Bank (ECB) since 2014. There, he was initially responsible for the supervision of systemic banks in the eurozone. These included nine global systemically important banks (G-SIBs). He led the division for six years. From 2020, he was responsible for horizontal risk supervision at the ECB. This encompassed all categories of risk, in particular credit and liquidity risks, as well as developing and conducting stress tests. Before joining the European Central Bank, Stefan Walter held the role of Global Bank Regulatory and Supervisory Policy Network Leader at Ernst & Young for two years. From 2006 until 2011, he was Secretary General of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. In this role, Stefan Walter coordinated the international negotiations on regulatory reforms during the global financial crisis, in order to strengthen the global financial system. Prior to this, he held various roles at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, most recently that of Senior Vice President responsible for supervisory policy, financial analysis, and financial stability. Stefan Walter studied at the University of California, Berkeley and Columbia University and holds a master’s degree in International Banking and Finance.

More information: Stefan Walter to become new CEO of FINMA | FINMA