Switzerland

US authorities have launched an attack on a Swiss banker and lawyer who they believe helped wealthy Americans conceal assets in secret Swiss bank accounts.

The US has punctured Switzerland's secrecy law shielding US citizens with cash stashed in the offshore centre, forcing the Swiss authorities to reveal the names of nearly 5,000 wealthy Americans with accounts in UBS.

Switzerland believes a new global institution is needed to take the lead away from the G20 and reform tax and banking secrecy.

Guernsey and Jersey intend to follow the Isle of Man's move in committing to automatic exchange of information, but concerns of a level playing field prevail.

UK Financial Instruments (UKFI), the body that manages the Government's shares in some of Britain's biggest banks, will today outline its plans for the future of its investments in the state-owned lenders, reports The Times.

Criminals are increasingly using soccer for money laundering and tax evasion, helped by the globalisation of the sport and financial needs of clubs, an anti-corruption body says.

Obwalden, a Swiss canton, has been accused of creating financial "apartheid" over plans to lure millionaires to the area to boost their tax revenue.

A plethora of deals designed to help pursue evaders hiding money offshore are set to be signed by finance ministers in Berlin tomorrow.

A plethora of deals designed to help pursue evaders hiding money offshore are set to be signed by finance ministers in Berlin tomorrow.

The dust is settling on the banking secrecy saga of the past few months. To those with a clear conscience, it is evident that the Swiss government's decision in March to ease its banking secrecy regime will make this sophisticated Alpine jurisdiction...