Swiss watchdog names Hirschi head of banking supervision

ZURICH (Reuters) - The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) has appointed Thomas Hirschi as the new head of the Banks division, effective February, it said on Monday.

Now head of the Asset Management division, Hirschi replaces Jan Bloechliger, who is leaving FINMA of his own volition, the agency said in a statement.

Hirschi, 46, has led the Asset Management division since January 2020. He was previously responsible for supervising banks and insurance companies at the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of the Abu Dhabi Global Market for just over four years.

The Banks division employs around 110 people and is responsible for authorising and supervising banks and securities firms.

(Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)