Switzerland has launched an investigation into a number of its financial companies, including big banks like Credit Suisse and UBS.
WEKO, the country’s competition watchdog, said Thursday that it will investigate some of the biggest financial firms for a suspected boycott of mobile payment solutions such as Apple Pay and Samsung.
The list of firms to be investigated includes Aduno Holding, Postfinance, Swisscard and Swiss units of Credit Suisse and UBS, WEKO said.
The competition watchdog also added that raids were carried out at offices of the companies being investigated.
“We are surprised about this investigation and are convinced that the allegations will prove to be unfounded,” Credit Suisse said in a statement.
“We already offer to consumers in Switzerland access to Apple Pay and Samsung Pay through our subsidiary Swisscard, of which Credit Suisse owns 50%. In addition, we have been in talks with companies such as Apple, Samsung or Google for several months to discuss how their mobile payment solutions could be offered to our clients.”
A spokesperson for Credit Suisse also told CNBC Thursday that they will continue to work with Twint – a Swiss mobile payment app.
“Credit Suisse is very satisfied with Twint. The bank will continue to work very closely with Twint.”
Local media reports suggest that the investigation is aimed at clarifying whether several Swiss financial institutions have reached an agreement to boycott mobile payment solutions from international providers such as Apple pay and Samsung. Authorities suspect that these institutions have jointly agreed not to release their credit card details for use with Apple Pay and Samsung Pay to prefer Twint.
