"Has diversification failed Swiss investors—or are we still underestimating the forces reshaping it?
Persistently low Swiss interest rates, structural yield differentials and a chronically strong currency have long set Switzerland apart—yet today they collide with unprecedented global equity concentration and shifting risk regimes.
The conference opens with a Swiss bank’s macro-strategic outlook on the economy and markets, framing how Swiss portfolios must operate in an environment where rates are structurally lower than elsewhere, even as the currency remains strong.
Swiss pension fund CIOs then address how they manage diversification, home bias and liabilities when low yields constrain traditional solutions.
A behavioral finance session challenges how investors perceive risk and diversification under these conditions. Asset managers from our key Sponsors will present disciplined approaches to accessing new sources of diversification.
The day concludes with a long-term perspective on the Swiss franc, drawing on deep historical evidence to explain how Switzerland lives with an ever-appreciating currency—and what low yield differentials may imply for the future."
From the breakdown of traditional diversification to a new macro and interest-rate reality, SPC26 brings together leading Swiss and global experts to unpack what’s changed—and what Swiss pension funds can do now to strengthen portfolio resilience.
This is a must-attend event for Swiss pension professionals looking to stay ahead of the curve and build portfolios capable of weathering global disruptions while seizing new opportunities.
We look forward to welcoming you on May 12, 2026, at the Royal Savoy Hotel in Lausanne, for an inspiring and impactful day of learning and networking.
Members of the CFA Society Switzerland can record PL credits for their participation using the online tracking tool. (Note: You will need to log in with your CFA Institute ID to access it).
Recognized Conference for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by ASA and CSEP: The Swiss Association of Actuaries and the Swiss Chamber of Pension Fund Experts acknowledge this training day and credit it with 5 points (primary points).
Registration
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Opening Welcome Address
- Eric Bissonnier, CFA, Swiss Pensions Conference 2026 Romandie Committee Chair
- Mirjana Wojtal, PhD, CEO of CFA Society Switzerland
Opening Keynote - Swiss Economy
- Thomas Veraguth, Senior Strategist, Head CIO Swiss & Global Real Estate Strategy, UBS
Pension Fund Panel - French Speaking
- Valentin Girard, CFA, Swatch Group Pension Fund
- Christina Böck, SBB Pension Fund
- Frank Juliano, compenswiss
Moderator: Nadège Bregnard, PhD, CEO, Pension Fund of Canton Jura (CPJU)
Coffee Break
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J.P. Morgan Asset Management -Anurag Agarwal, Managing Director and Aaron Hussein, Vice President - Fixed and Moving Infrastructure - Main Hall
The macro environment is shifting - inflation, interest rate volatility, and uncertainty across traditional markets are prompting investors to rethink portfolio construction. Real assets, and infrastructure in particular, can help build resiliency through stable income, natural inflation linkage, and diversification away from public equities and bonds. The presentation will look at how fixed and moving infrastructure can play a role in portfolios, and why the current environment makes that case stronger.
HSBC Asset Management - Karim Ghannam, Global Head of Real Assets and Head of Alternatives, Singapore. "Diversify and Power Up Your Real Asset Portfolio with Developed Asia" - Break-out Room
APAC’s demographic trends are fuelling strong demand for real assets, supported by robust, OECD-standard regulatory frameworks. Investing in developed Asian markets offers defensive, institutional-grade opportunities with low correlation to Western markets and newer asset vintages. The scarcity of premium assets, combined with conservative capital structures and limited leverage, supports resilient cash flows and creates compelling opportunities within this asset class.
Lunch Break
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Joker Session - Neuroscience in Finance and Economics
- Professor Kerstin Preuschoff
Jupiter Asset Management, Tarlock Randhawa Investment Manager, Jupiter Origin – "From Home Bias to High-Quality EM Equity Alpha: A Structured Approach to True Diversification” - Main Hall Room
Swiss pension funds face concentration risk from equity home bias and global mega-cap dominance. This presentation introduces a disciplined, evidence-based approach to emerging markets that provides not just geographic diversification, but exposure to superior growth, quality, momentum, and ESG characteristics — all managed systematically to reduce style and cycle risk.
PGIM - Elise Moulinier, Senior Principal Europe & UK Direct Lending - "European Direct Lending and its Relevance for Swiss Investors." - Breakout Room
This presentation explores the evolution of direct lending in Europe, with a focus on regional differences and Switzerland's role. We’ll highlight the benefits of direct lending for investors, companies, and the economy. Finally, we’ll provide our thoughts on the asset class market outlook and opportunities resulting from the current ‘shake out’.
Coffee Break
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Closing Keynote
- The Swiss Franc - A Long-Term Perspective
with Costa Vayenas
Closing Remarks & Mentimeter
- Eric Bissonnier, CFA
Networking & Apéro
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CEO, CFA Society Switzerland
CFA Swiss Pensions Conference Romandie Chair
CIO, Genesis Investment Partners
Senior Strategist Head, CIO Swiss & Global Real Estate Strategy, UBS
CEO of the Pension Fund of Canton Jura (CPJU)
Portfolio Manager, Swatch Pension Fund
Member of SBB Pension Fund Investment Committee
Chief Investment Strategist, compenswiss
Associate Professor at the University of Geneva and Director of the Laboratory of Uncertainty, Collective Intelligence and Decision-Making (LUCID).
Investment Manager, Jupiter Origin
Global Head of Real Assets and Head of Alternatives, Singapore at HSBC Asset Management
Managing Director, Head of Portfolio Management for the Global Transportation Group in Alternatives, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Vice President, Global Market Strategist, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Senior Principal Europe & UK Direct Lending, PGIM Fixed Income
To register and purchase tickets, members and guests must register and log in with a CFA Institute ID number.
Swiss Pensions Conference is reserved for pension fund managers (foundation board, investment committee) and their staff (ticket price 75 CHF). A limited number of tickets are available for professional investors (ticket price is 150 CHF for members of CFA Society Switzerland and 300 CHF for non-members).
Financial service providers and their employees performing commercial functions are excluded from participation.
Registration is subject to approval.
A full refund will be granted if cancellation is made by the attendee online and is possible up to 10 business days before the conference. In the event of a postponement, participants can decide whether their tickets should be transferred to the new date or refunded in full. For media inquiries and press passes, please contact events@cfasocietyswitzerland.org.