Feasibility Study & Licence Scoping
The most expensive licensing mistakes happen before the application is written: the wrong licence category, underestimated capital and governance requirements, or documentation that triggers avoidable rounds of FINMA questions. A structured feasibility study resolves these questions first.
A written report with a clear recommendation and the chosen licence strategy.
From the banking licence (Art. 1a) to the portfolio manager (Art. 17 FinIA) — we map your model against all of them.
A realistic end-to-end timeline and budget before you commit to filing.
What the Feasibility Study Assesses
Before any document is drafted for FINMA, we map your business model against the Swiss regulatory perimeter and quantify what the licence will actually demand of your organisation.
Which authorisation actually fits your model — banking (Art. 1a), FinTech (Art. 1b), securities firm, fund management, manager of collective assets or portfolio manager — and whether an exemption applies.
The minimum capital for your category, and a funding plan that holds up through the application phase.
The board and management set-up FINMA expects, and the Swiss substance — offices, local management, outsourcing limits — your category requires.
A realistic end-to-end timeline and budget, including audit firm involvement, so the project can be planned and financed properly.
Where your current set-up falls short of FINMA requirements, and what it takes to close each gap.
If the study confirms feasibility, we move seamlessly into preparing the audit-ready application. If it does not, you have saved the cost of a filing that would not have succeeded.
What the Feasibility Report Contains
The result is a written feasibility report with a clear go / no-go recommendation — a document you can take to your board and your investors.
- A clear go / no-go recommendation with the reasoning behind it
- The chosen licence strategy and its legal basis
- Capital requirements and a cost plan for application and operation
- The governance and Swiss-substance set-up FINMA expects
- A gap analysis of your current set-up against FINMA requirements
- A project plan and budget for the application phase
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not file the FINMA application directly?
Because the expensive mistakes happen before the application is written: the wrong licence category, or underestimated capital and governance requirements. The feasibility study resolves these questions before drafting starts.
What happens if the study comes to a negative result?
You receive the full reasoning and the realistic alternatives — and you have saved the cost of a filing that would not have succeeded.
How long does the application take after a positive study?
A FINMA FinTech licence application typically takes 6 to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the business model and the quality of the documentation submitted.
Find Out If Your Model Is Feasible
We assess your business model, quantify the requirements and give you a clear recommendation — before you commit to a filing.
