23 juillet 2026

On 23 July 2026, Cembra Money Bank AG (SIX: CMBN) announced that it has signed an agreement for the acquisition of the substantial part of Santander Consumer Finance Schweiz AG’s Swiss auto financing business. The transaction comprises a lending portfolio of about CHF 800 million and the intended transfer of nine partner relationships (manufacturers and importers). The agreement aims to ensure continuity for these partners as the business transitions to Cembra. The transaction is expected to close in November 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. As part of the transaction, Cembra will also become Santander’s exclusive Swiss partner for pan-European leasing and vehicle financing programs. This will give Cembra access to international manufacturer programs and further strengthen its position as a preferred financing partner for automotive manufacturers and importers.

Cembra is a leading Swiss provider of innovative financing and payment solutions. The product range includes personal loans and auto leases and loans, credit cards, the insurance made available in this context, invoice financing and savings products.

Walder Wyss advised Cembra on the transaction. The team was led by Markus Pfenninger (Partner, Banking & Finance) and Dario Galli (Managing Associate, Corporate/M&A) and further included Fabian Akeret (Senior Associate, Corporate/M&A), Letizia Schlegel (Senior Associate, Corporate/M&A), Michael Kissling (Managing Associate, Commercial Contracts), Matthias Lötscher (Counsel, Banking & Finance), Sarah Vettiger (Senior Associate, Banking & Finance), Jérôme Heman (Associate, Banking & Finance), Irène Suter-Sieber (Partner, Employment), Marisa Hunkeler (Associate, Employment), Reto Jacobs (Partner, Competition), Gion Giger (Counsel, Competition), Tamara Zeiter (Associate, Competition), and Argyrios Lygeros (Trainee Lawyer, Corporate/M&A).