Martin Schlegel

Education and business career

Martin Schlegel studied economics at the University of Zurich and completed his studies in 2003 with a master's degree. Subsequently, he joined the Research Unit at the SNB followed by positions in the SNB's Financial Market Analysis and Money Market units. While working, he obtained a doctorate in economics from the University of Basel in 2009. Since 2010, he has been an adjunct professor at the University of Basel. In the years 2015 and 2016 Schlegel also worked as an expert for the International Monetary Fund. In May 2022, the Federal Council appointed Schlegel as the Vice-Chairman of the Governing Board of the Swiss National Bank. This also made him Head of Department II of the SNB. Later that year he was a speaker at the Forum for Financial Market Stability held by the Financial Market Authority Liechtenstein.

In an interview in October 2023 Schlegel, talking about the Acquisition of Credit Suisse by UBS, said: "We don't have a mandate to rescue a bank."

After the announcement of Thomas Jordans resignation in March 2024, Schlegel was seen as the favourite for his position as Chairman of the SNB. On 26 June 2024 the Federal Council elected Schlegel as the new Chairman following the recommendation of the Governing Board. He assumed the position on 1 October 2024.

Personal life

Schlegel is married to Nicole Brändle, the former director of HotellerieSuisse, who stepped down in June 2025 to avoid giving the impression of a conflict of interest with Schlegels promotion to director. They have 3 children together.

Publications