Question 1

What is Sigma Bank?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank is an independent universal bank headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein. As a credit institution regulated by the Financial Market Authority (FMA) of Liechtenstein, the bank serves sophisticated international clients from the Alpine region of Central Europe. In 2023, Sigma Bank ranked as the 8th largest bank in Liechtenstein with total assets of CHF 798.4 million and a market share of 0.85%.

The bank specializes in private banking, wealth management, and credit services, with a particular focus on personalized advisory services for high-net-worth individuals across Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

Question 2

When was Sigma Bank founded?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank was originally established in 1997 as Volksbank AG Liechtenstein, serving as the sixth bank in the Principality of Liechtenstein. The institution was founded with a focus on private banking and evolved into a comprehensive universal bank offering upmarket advisory services, retail banking, mortgages, and custodian services.

In 2019, Sigma Kreditbank AG acquired Volksbank AG Liechtenstein, leading to a complete corporate restructuring in January 2022. During this restructuring, Sigma Bank AG was elevated to parent company status, and the institution was rebranded as Sigma Bank AG, reflecting its expanded role in the banking group's strategic operations.

Question 3

Where is Sigma Bank headquartered?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, located at Feldkircher Strasse 2, 9494 Schaan, in the Principality of Liechtenstein. The bank operates from a modern office facility constructed in 2003, consisting of two tower buildings in Schaan's business district.

Question 4

Where does Sigma Bank operate?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank serves clients across multiple European markets, with primary operational focus in Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. The bank's geographic diversification provides natural currency hedging and reduces dependence on any single economy. The institution manages approximately CHF 3.6 billion in customer assets and maintains a workforce of 61 employees as of 2023.

Question 5

What services does Sigma Bank offer?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank provides comprehensive financial services across several key areas:
• Private Banking & Asset Management: Personalized investment advisory services and professional asset management for high-net-worth clients, provided in partnership with renowned asset managers.
• Private Label Funds: Custodian and depository services for professionally managed investment funds, including UCITS and AIFMD-compliant structures.
• Intermediary Banking: A platform for external asset managers, trustees, and lawyers to access banking services and client support infrastructure.
• Retail Banking: Current accounts, savings accounts, and time deposit accounts (offering competitive interest rates).
• Credit Banking: Consumer loans, mortgage loans, and Lombard loans tailored to individual client needs.
• Digital Services: Online banking platform and mobile banking applications enabling efficient account management and transaction processing.

Sigma Bank also provides custodian account services and fund management infrastructure supporting complex financial transactions for demanding international clients.

Question 6

What makes Sigma Bank unique?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank distinguishes itself through several key characteristics:

Personalized Approach: As an independent, family-owned institution, the bank maintains a commitment to personal relationship management. Each client is assigned a dedicated contact person familiar with their complete financial situation, with access to a pool of national and international financial experts as needed.

Operational Agility: Unlike larger institutional competitors, Sigma Bank's independent structure enables rapid decision-making and greater flexibility in developing customized solutions for complex client requirements.

Strategic Positioning: The bank has demonstrated sophisticated market intelligence and operational capability, including successful participation in complex distressed asset acquisitions such as the Banque Havilland liquidation process.

Profitability Efficiency: In 2023, Sigma Bank achieved the 2nd position for profitability relative to total assets within Liechtenstein's banking sector, with a return on assets (ROA) of 1.21% and return on equity (ROE) of 6.41%, demonstrating exceptional operational efficiency.

Digital Transformation: The bank combines traditional Swiss and Liechtenstein banking expertise with modern digital capabilities, positioning itself as an agile institution navigating the digital age.

Question 7

What type of financial institution is Sigma Bank?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank is a credit institution (Kreditinstitut) operating under Liechtenstein's banking regulatory framework. Established as a limited company (Aktiengesellschaft), the bank holds authorization number 107376 from Liechtenstein's Financial Market Authority (FMA) and operates under EEA regulatory provisions.

As a universal bank, Sigma Bank combines multiple banking functions under one institution, offering both commercial banking services (credit and lending operations) and investment banking services (asset management and custodian operations). The bank is classified as a credit institution under European Banking Authority (EBA) regulatory categories and participates in Liechtenstein's Deposit Guarantee and Investor Compensation Foundation (EAS), protecting deposits up to CHF 100,000 per depositor.

Question 8

What is the ownership structure of Sigma Bank?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank is controlled by Martin Schlaff, an internationally active businessman and entrepreneur with significant experience in telecommunications and strategic asset acquisition. The bank's Board of Directors includes William Benjamin Schlaff (Chairman), Michael Hason (Vice Chairman), and multiple board members with diverse international financial expertise. This family-controlled structure enables long-term strategic thinking focused on sustainable growth rather than short-term profit maximization.

Question 9

What regulatory framework governs Sigma Bank?

Accepted Answer

Sigma Bank operates under the regulatory framework of the Principality of Liechtenstein and is authorized and supervised by the Financial Market Authority (Finanzmarktaufsicht Liechtenstein). The bank is regulated under Liechtenstein's Banking Law, which incorporates European Economic Area (EEA) banking directives and Capital Requirements Directive provisions.

As of June 2025, the bank maintains a Tier-1 ratio of 22.7%, demonstrating strong capital adequacy well above regulatory minimums. The bank's authorization date with the FMA was November 20, 2013 (in its previous Volksbank form), and it operates under the IBAN structure and BIC code VOAGLI22XXX for international payments and regulatory reporting.

Sigma Bank

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About Sigma Bank in Liechtenstein