20 Years of Growing Knowledge Capital
SFI began its operations in January 2006. The aim was to build a top-tier faculty and launch a world-class doctoral program in finance. Over time, the focus expanded to include fostering knowledge exchange between research and practice. The Institute has since driven a paradigm shift in continuing education for the financial sector, with the launch of the SFI Master Classes in 2019. Today, the SFI faculty comprises around 100 professors from 8 partner universities. In addition to their teaching and research activities at their respective universities, they actively contribute to SFI's knowledge exchange activities.
Each year, SFI professors deliver the renowned SFI PhD Program and expose thousands of Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD students at SFI partner universities to the latest thinking in banking and finance, thus teaching the future workforce of Swiss banking. Around 2'000 experienced bankers attend SFI Master Classes and conferences annually to stay ahead on key topics. And every year, SFI professors actively contribute to public discourse on key financial topics.
What began 20 years ago with a vision to host a world-class research and teaching institute has grown into a lasting commitment to empowering Switzerland's financial marketplace through academic excellence, top-tier expertise, impactful knowledge exchange, and targeted continuing education in banking and finance.
Over the years, SFI has reached many milestones that have shaped both its development and its significance to the Swiss financial community. The following timeline lists key developments in the Institute’s history—from its inception to the present day.
Founding of the Swiss Banking School.
Founding of the International Center for Financial Asset Management and Engineering (FAME). Launch of its PhD Program and International Education programs.
Founding of the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI).
Established at the initiative of the Swiss Bankers Association, SFI is a private foundation created in January 2006 with the support of the Swiss banking and finance community and SWX together with the Swiss Confederation, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and several Swiss universities. Its aim is to advance research activities in finance and continuing education in the banking and finance sector. SFI encompasses two prior foundations: the International Center for Financial Asset Management and Engineering (FAME) and the Swiss Banking School.
Leadership structure in the year 2006:
Managing Director: Prof. Jean-Pierre Danthine (UNIL).
Chair of the Foundation Board: Olivier Steimer (BCV).
Chair of the Scientific Council: Prof. René Stulz (Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University).
Launch of the SFI PhD Program.
The program promotes the pursuit of academic excellence, providing an intellectual environment and a curriculum comparable with the top PhD programs in Europe and North America.
First SFI Annual Meeting, on the subject "Finance, Research, and Culture".
The 1st SFI Annual Meeting took place on 14 November 2006 at SWX in Zurich in the presence of Federal Councilor Couchepin.
Cooperation agreement signed with ETH Zurich.
FINRISK integrated into SFI.
First SFI PhD Workshop Series.
SFI co-hosts the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Finance Association with the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano, with keynote speaker 2013 Nobel Laureate Professor Robert J. Shiller.
Launch of SFI Roundups. A recurring publication with the latest academic and practical insights on finance matters.
Founding of the Swiss Banking School.
Founding of the International Center for Financial Asset Management and Engineering (FAME). Launch of its PhD Program and International Education programs.
Founding of the Swiss Finance Institute (SFI).
Established at the initiative of the Swiss Bankers Association, SFI is a private foundation created in January 2006 with the support of the Swiss banking and finance community and SWX together with the Swiss Confederation, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and several Swiss universities. Its aim is to advance research activities in finance and continuing education in the banking and finance sector. SFI encompasses two prior foundations: the International Center for Financial Asset Management and Engineering (FAME) and the Swiss Banking School.
Leadership structure in the year 2006:
Managing Director: Prof. Jean-Pierre Danthine (UNIL).
Chair of the Foundation Board: Olivier Steimer (BCV).
Chair of the Scientific Council: Prof. René Stulz (Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University).
Inauguration of the SFI Research Paper Series within the Social Science Research Network (SSRN).
First SFI Senior Chair Appointment.
Appointment of Prof. Bernard Dumas (UNIL) as the first SFI Senior Chair. He was formerly Professor at INSEAD, at HEC (Paris), and at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Launch of the SFI PhD Program.
The program promotes the pursuit of academic excellence, providing an intellectual environment and a curriculum comparable with the top PhD programs in Europe and North America.
First SFI Annual Meeting, on the subject "Finance, Research, and Culture".
The 1st SFI Annual Meeting took place on 14 November 2006 at SWX in Zurich in the presence of Federal Councilor Couchepin.