http://www.kpmg.ch/Topics/7829.htm Please find an overview of our media releases. de-de Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 +0200 Fri, 12 Mrz 2010 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17396.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en KPMG Switzerland's fourth edition of "KPMG's M&A Yearbook" clearly shows just how much the merger and acquisition business tumbled during 2009, both for inbound and outbound investments. 2010 is expected to bring a revival in the M&A business, due in part to general recovery in the economy as well as many companies' continued good access to cash. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17396.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17350.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en As shown in the KPMG Fraud Barometer, Swiss courts tried 57 major cases of white-collar crime last year involving losses in excess of CHF 1.5 billion. While this represents a 23% drop in the number of cases compared to the previous year, the total value of the cases brought to court rose sharply by 54%. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17350.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17332.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en On February 1, 2010, Dieter Becker will take over as Head of Advisory at KPMG Switzerland and become a member of the Executive Board. Becker, who is responsible for Consumer & Industrial Markets at KPMG Europe LLP, will be succeeding Dieter Widmer upon his decision to leave the company after 24 years and take a new career path. By appointing Philipp Hallauer, Head of Risk Management, and Lukas Marty, CFO, as members of the Executive Board, KPMG is further strengthening the company’s management with regard to quality, risk management, compliance and financial issues. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17332.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17071.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, KPMG will be awarding KPMG's Inspiration Grants to research projects in the areas of health and the environment over the next two years. To qualify for support, projects must be scientific in nature, have entrepreneurial potential and also make a relevant contribution to the benefit of future generations. The idea is for researchers to receive this financial support at an early stage to help ensure that the next step of their projects is a success. The projects to be funded will be selected in cooperation with the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich and Lausanne. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/17071.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16804.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en KPMG Switzerland generated revenue of CHF 439 million during the business year ending September 30, 2009, a 3.5 percent increase over the previous year. Revenues grew 8.1 percent to CHF 240 million in the Audit division and 4.0 percent to CHF 108 million in Tax. The only decline was seen in Advisory, a strongly cyclical area, where revenue dropped to CHF 91 million, 7.3 percent lower than the previous year. The good result in the midst of such an adverse economic environment can be attributed to a consistent focus on clients' needs, strong local roots and broad-based international support as well as the company's ability to flexibly adapt its own structures to meet the needs of the market. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16804.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16548.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Imina Technologies has won the 2009 KPMG Tomorrow’s Market Award with its prize money of CHF 50,000. As is the case every year, the prize will be presented at the EPFL’s Innovation Day and will reward a start-up company whose micro-robots could revolutionize nanomanipulation. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16548.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16502.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en With just a few exceptions, the insurance industry has weathered the economic crisis relatively unscathed so far. Nevertheless a global study undertaken by KPMG shows that insurance companies are endeavoring to improve their risk and capital management. The main incentive behind these efforts is not new regulations, however, rather their desire to strengthen their business performance over the long term. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16502.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16406.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en KPMG's Corporate and Indirect Tax Rate Survey 2009 has found that the trend of lower corporate taxes in Europe has come to an end after 13 years. Moreover, the urgent need for greater tax revenue means that many countries are taking active measures both to increase the proportion of tax taken from value-added tax (VAT) and to broaden the base for corporate income taxes. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16406.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/Topics/16346.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en A study carried out by KPMG and the University of St.Gallen shows that private banking in Switzerland faces fundamental change. However, in the view of 30 leading private banks, the sector has really only just begun to analyze the situation and not yet launched the process of making adjustments to their business strategy. Growth will occur primarily abroad and there is a question if enough Swiss banks in their current form are well positioned to take best advantage of this trend. Some of the traditionally strong selling points such as tax advantages, banking secrecy and its regulatory environment are not easily portable abroad. The extent to which Swiss private banks will share in the growth depends on their capability to adapt to the new circumstances. In Switzerland, consolidation is expected to accelerate. Opinions expressed by private banks as to whether the near future holds growth or a very sharp decline in the amount of assets under management vary greatly. http://www.kpmg.ch/Topics/16346.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16318.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen KPMG has now become a partner of the Swiss Climate Foundation. KPMG sees this as an important step towards permanently improving its own ecological behavior and supporting measures taken by small and medium-sized enterprises in Switzerland that are aimed at cutting CO2 emissions and increasing energy efficiency. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16318.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16066.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en As shown by the "KPMG Fraud Barometer", over 30 cases of white-collar crime for which a charge was brought, in the first half of 2009 in Switzerland, accounted for more than CHF 200 million - with managers responsible for three quarters of this amount. Fraud and embezzlement continue to be the most common offences. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/16066.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15988.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en KPMG has restructured its Advisory business division so as to be able to cater for major changes in client requirements in the best possible manner. As of October 1, 2009, Advisory will comprise three service groups, namely Performance & Technology, Risk & Compliance and Transactions & Restructuring. This streamlined structure will enable KPMG to provide its clients with quick and flexible support with the help of multidisciplinary teams. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15988.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen_en Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15860.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen After seven years of falling income tax rates around the world, a countertrend seems to be emerging. This movement is documented by KPMG's "Individual Income Tax Rate Survey 2009". Ireland was the first country to significantly increase its maximum income tax rate, pushing it up by 5% to 46%. Iceland also raised its top rate by 1.5% this year, putting the current rate at 37.2%. In the UK, an even bigger increase was announced for the coming year that will boost the top marginal tax rate to 50% on personal income. These developments could further strengthen Switzerland's position as an attractive tax location. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15860.htm?WT.mc_id=ch_RSS_Medienmitteilungen Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15809.htm Vote to become part of Europe’s largest fully integrated accountancy firm. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15809.htm Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15505.htm Swiss private banking sector faces fundamental transformation – triggered by «tax haven« disputes with the USA and EU member states and substantial regulatory changes. These developments are further aggravated by cost pressures of unprecedented dimensions in this industry. A global survey conducted by KPMG reveals that acquisition appetite is still evident despite substantial hurdles. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15505.htm Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15096.htm Benjamin Wall will be the new Sector Coordinator for Automotive at KPMG Switzerland. On June 1, 2009, he will succeed Roger Neininger, who was appointed to the Executive Board and will become the Head of Audit. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/15096.htm Thu, 28 May 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14898.htm As the new «KPMG M&A Yearbook» shows, the M&A activity has been strongly affected by the current economic climate and uncertainty surrounding longer term prospects. Many companies are revising their budgets, focusing on their order books and cost control rather than growth. With EFG International, Roche Holding AG and DKSH, KPMG has rewarded three companies for their outstanding M&A activities in the previous year. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14898.htm Wed, 13 May 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14688.htm Marc Ziegler to become new Sector Head for Transportation & Business Services for KPMG Switzerland, taking over from Roger Neininger, who will be taking on the role of new Head of Audit on June 1, 2009. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14688.htm Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14371.htm Issues surrounding the right level and type of regulation are getting more and more attention, particularly in light of the current financial crisis. People are seeking explanations for the negative economic development and ways to establish a more stable economic system that is less vulnerable to risk. These objectives raise key questions on the future evolution of our economic and social systems, questions that must be discussed widely in public forums. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14371.htm Thu, 26 Mrz 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14353.htm Roger Neininger will take over as the new Head of Audit of KPMG Switzerland on June 1, 2009. He will also become a member of the Executive Committee. Roger Neininger replaces Günter Haag, who successfully led KPMG’s largest division for ten years. Günter Haag will focus his attention on KPMG’s major industrial clients going forward. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/14353.htm Tue, 24 Mrz 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13992.htm Despite the continued fall-out from the financial crisis across the banking industry, it appears that not enough institutions are planning to make fundamental changes to their risk frameworks. A KPMG survey pins down the apparent risk management failures which many in the industry are now coming to terms with. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13992.htm Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13716.htm In 2008, cases of white-collar crime brought before Swiss courts accounted for more than CHF 1 billion. Further findings of KPMG Forensic Switzerland's "Fraud Barometer 2008" indicate that the majority of white-collar crimes are committed by staff at management level and that the most common offence is the misappropriation of funds, with investors suffering the most. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13716.htm Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13703.htm Marc D. Grüter to take over leadership of Financial Risk Management at KPMG Switzerland on 1 February 2009. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13703.htm Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13595.htm A growing number of international companies, primarily from the U.S. and Asia, are moving their headquarters to Switzerland - and not only for tax reasons. Located in the heart of Europe, it seems only fitting that companies should choose Switzerland to centralize their management functions. Many companies are using Tax Efficient Supply Chain Management (TESCM) to analyze their existing value-creation model and to generate savings on both taxes and operating costs by reengineering their value chain and shifting functions, risks, and assets to Switzerland. In a joint collaboration, KPMG Switzerland, the University of St. Gallen and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich produced a white paper which clearly explains why Switzerland is a particularly attractive location in which to establish principal companies that enjoy low taxes, and how such companies are the key to implementing TESCM projects successfully. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13595.htm Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13409.htm Swiss deal activity set to hit bottom in Q2/Q3 inline with global deal activity but specific factors could lead to faster recovery than expected in other European countries, claims KPMG's Global M&A Predictor. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13409.htm Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13344.htm KPMG is augmenting the services it provides in the Forensic field: Arno Thürig, a longstanding prosecutor of white-collar crime in Canton Zurich, will be the new director in charge of Arbitration and Litigation Support and Crisis Management. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13344.htm Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/Topics/13229.htm KPMG Switzerland generated net sales of CHF 375 million (gross: CHF 424 million) in the last financial year as of September 30, 2008, which is equivalent to a 7 percent increase. Sales of Audit services increased well above the industry average while Tax services posted double digit growth. Some Advisory service lines also reported outstanding results. The merger of national member firms in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands to form KPMG Europe LLP, the largest fully integrated Audit and Advisory services company in Europe, has been a key factor in achieving solid, organic growth in a turbulent economic environment. http://www.kpmg.ch/Topics/13229.htm Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13166.htm At its meeting in Sydney, the Global Board of Directors of KPMG International, the global network of 144 KPMG international member firms, appointed KPMG Switzerland CEO Hubert Achermann as the Group's first ever Lead Director. In light of KPMG's revised global governance, this newly-created position is of considerable importance. The appointment of Hubert Achermann, who will continue to perform his duties as CEO of KPMG Switzerland, also underlines the significance of Europe within the KPMG network. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13166.htm Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13145.htm An international KPMG study highlights the squeeze that European chemical companies are facing. The rapid expansion of the Middle Eastern chemical industry could mean global overcapacity as a recession looms. In order to remain competitive, European companies need to consider innovation, offshoring and M&A. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/13145.htm Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12929.htm What is the most efficient way to travel for a given route: train, plane, bus, automobile? Routerank, winner of the 2008 KPMG Tomorrow's Market Award, allows you to combine all of the different methods of transportation, aiming to make choosing transportation simple, while letting you use criteria as varied as price, travel time and environmental impact. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12929.htm Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12904.htm A global survey by KPMG on personal income taxation shows that maximum tax rates were cut in 33 out of 87 countries between 2003 and 2008. Europe's tax rates on personal income remain the highest, while Latin America's are the lowest. Switzerland (based on the city of Zurich) is in the upper-middle tier internationally, and it offers a coherent tax policy in terms of individual and corporate taxation. The survey also reveals that the adoption of flat tax models is also becoming more widespread. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12904.htm Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12714.htm As Head of Public Relations, Andreas Hammer will be responsible for KPMG Switzerland's external communications as of November 1, 2008. He will replace Stefan Mathys, who after seven and a half years in this position will become self-employed. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12714.htm Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12712.htm New KPMG Survey Finds Environmental, Social and Governance Reporting mainstreaming among the world's largest companies. In Switzerland there are still considerable differences in reporting between international companies and mid-sized companies. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12712.htm Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12708.htm John Griffith-Jones has been appointed as Chairman of KPMG's EMA (Europe, Middle East, Africa and India) region. EMA is the largest of KPMG's three regions, comprising more than 3,000 partners and 55,000 staff in 105 countries. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12708.htm Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12706.htm KPMG Switzerland has merged with the international member firms in Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain to form KPMG Europe LLP, effective as of 1 October 2008. The merger creates the largest fully integrated professional services firm in Europe. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12706.htm Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12704.htm The capital injection UBS received from Singapore last year brought sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) to the attention of the Swiss public for the first time. SWFs seem set to play a vital role in the future as investors in Western and Swiss companies. Private Equity Intelligence estimates that their investments total somewhere between USD 120 billion and 150 billion, equivalent to something like ten per cent of the global private equity market, and that they are growing. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12704.htm Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12020.htm Tobias Valk will become Head of Transaction Services (TS) of KPMG Switzerland as of October 1, 2008. He succeeds Bryan DeBlanc who has led TS since 2002. Bryan will dedicate his time to lead KPMG's multidisciplinary Growth through M&A initiative and lead several key client relationships. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12020.htm Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0200 http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12016.htm Switzerland has again improved its performance in a comparison of corporate tax rates in 106 countries. South-Eastern European states are once again at the top of the table, and there is evidence of a trend away from the taxation of company profits and towards taxing consumption. http://www.kpmg.ch/mediareleases/12016.htm Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:00:00 +0200