SNB Minutes: Willingness to intervene against excessive Swiss Franc appreciation increases

Here are key takeaways from the Swiss National Bank's (SNB) June policy meeting minutes

Monetary conditions are appropriate.

Inflation pressures virtually unchanged.

Increased willingness to intervene if needed.

Companies recorded solid turnover growth in the second quarter.

Although companies view uncertainty as being high, they remain confident.

No immediate need for action.

Conflict in the middle east has had a marked impact on prices.

There has been an increase in companies' inflation expectations for the short term.

Inflation expectations are only slightly higher for the medium term.

Significantly elevated uncertainty over Iran war.

In certain industries, such as consulting and software development, the impact of AI is more noticeable and is already affecting existing business models.

Risk of strong Swiss Franc appreciation remains.

Signals from the labour market are currently subdued

Economic affairs division expects unemployment to stabilise over the course of the year and decline in 2027.

Market reaction

The Swiss Franc (CHF) appears to remain muted following the release of the SNB meeting minutes. In the European trade, USD/CHF rises to near 0.8066 due to slight gains in the US Dollar (USD).

SNB FAQs

What is the Swiss National Bank?

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is the country’s central bank. As an independent central bank, its mandate is to ensure price stability in the medium and long term. To ensure price stability, the SNB aims to maintain appropriate monetary conditions, which are determined by the interest rate level and exchange rates. For the SNB, price stability means a rise in the Swiss Consumer Price Index (CPI) of less than 2% per year.

How does the Swiss National Bank interest-rate policy affect the Swiss Franc?

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) Governing Board decides the appropriate level of its policy rate according to its price stability objective. When inflation is above target or forecasted to be above target in the foreseeable future, the bank will attempt to tame excessive price growth by raising its policy rate. Higher interest rates are generally positive for the Swiss Franc (CHF) as they lead to higher yields, making the country a more attractive place for investors. On the contrary, lower interest rates tend to weaken CHF.

Does the Swiss National Bank intervene in the forex market?

Yes. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has regularly intervened in the foreign exchange market in order to avoid the Swiss Franc (CHF) appreciating too much against other currencies. A strong CHF hurts the competitiveness of the country’s powerful export sector. Between 2011 and 2015, the SNB implemented a peg to the Euro to limit the CHF advance against it. The bank intervenes in the market using its hefty foreign exchange reserves, usually by buying foreign currencies such as the US Dollar or the Euro. During episodes of high inflation, particularly due to energy, the SNB refrains from intervening markets as a strong CHF makes energy imports cheaper, cushioning the price shock for Swiss households and businesses.

When does the Swiss National Bank Governing Council decide on monetary policy?

The SNB meets once a quarter – in March, June, September and December – to conduct its monetary policy assessment. Each of these assessments results in a monetary policy decision and the publication of a medium-term inflation forecast.