The Financial Services Act (FinSA) aims to protect customers of financial service providers and to create comparable conditions for the provision of financial services, thereby strengthening the reputation and competitiveness of Switzerland as a financial centre.

Client advisors must have sufficient knowledge of the rules of conduct under FinSA and the specialist knowledge necessary for their work.

Based on the legal requirements from Art. 8 ff. FinSA, the following provides an overview of Aarbay Ltd and its services.

1. Company Information, Field of Activity, and Supervisory Status

Monetracy is a brand operated by:

Aarbay AG
Thunstrasse 2
3005 Bern

Monetracy does not provide investment advice or any financial services under FinSA. All content is for educational and informational purposes only.

Aarbay provides investment advice in accordance with Art. 3 lit. c no. 4 FinSA. Aarbay’s advisors are registered in the Swiss advisor register via Regservices.ch, operated by BX Swiss AG.

2. Ombudsman

According to Art. 79 para. 1 FinSA, financial service providers must inform clients about the possibility of mediation proceedings at the Ombudsman Financial Service Providers (OFD). This information must be provided:
a) when entering into a business relationship;
b) when a legal claim by the client is rejected; and
c) at any time upon request.

Aarbay AG, the operator of Monetracy, is registered with the Ombudsman Financial Service Providers (OFD), a neutral body that can provide competent information and act as an independent mediator in disputes.

Verein Ombudsstelle Finanzdienstleister (OFD)
Bleicherweg 10
8002 Zürich
www.ofdl.ch

Monetracy itself is an educational platform and does not provide financial services; therefore, it is not registered with the OFD, and no mediation through the OFD applies to use of this website.

3. Client Segmentation

FinSA requires financial service providers to assign clients to one of the following segments: private clients, professional clients, or institutional clients.

Based on Art. 4 para. 7 FinSA, Aarbay treats all clients as private clients, granting them the highest level of investor protection. Clients who meet the legal requirements may opt to be treated as professional clients, which provides access to a broader range of investment opportunities, more flexible portfolio management, and reduced regulatory formalities.

Monetracy itself is an educational platform and does not provide financial services, and therefore does not assign users to any FinSA client segment.

4. Financial Services Offered

Monetracy is an educational platform and does not provide investment advice, portfolio management, or any financial services under FinSA. All content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions.

Aarbay provides investment advice in accordance with FinSA. Investment advice may take one of two forms:

1. Transaction-based investment advice (Art. 11 FinSA):
   Aarbay advises clients on individual financial instruments or transactions. An appropriateness assessment is performed to ensure the product or transaction is suitable based on the client’s knowledge and experience. The client retains full responsibility for the decision to execute any transaction.

2. Portfolio-based investment advice (Art. 12 FinSA):
   Aarbay provides advice in the context of the client’s overall portfolio. A suitability assessment is carried out, taking into account the client’s financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and experience with financial instruments. Recommendations are assessed for portfolio suitability and are tailored to the client’s overall investment strategy and goals.

While Aarbay itself does not provide discretionary portfolio management, it advises on portfolio management solutions carried out by FINMA-regulated third-party portfolio managers. In such cases, Aarbay typically acts as the investment strategy advisor, forming part of a trilateral agreement between the client, the portfolio manager, and Aarbay. Aarbay’s role is to ensure that the proposed investment strategy aligns with the client’s risk profile and investment objectives, while the portfolio manager executes the agreed strategy. The client’s assets are held in bank custody through a direct and separate agreement between the client and the custodian bank.

For pension solutions, the same setup applies. Aarbay itself does not provide discretionary portfolio management but advises on portfolio management solutions carried out by FINMA-regulated third-party portfolio managers. In such cases, Aarbay typically acts as the investment strategy advisor, forming part of a trilateral agreement between the client, the portfolio manager, and Aarbay. Additionally, a contractual relationship is established with a pension foundation. Aarbay’s role is to ensure that the proposed investment strategy aligns with the client’s risk profile and investment objectives, while the portfolio manager executes the agreed strategy.

5. Investment Risk Notice

When investing in financial products, clients should understand the risks associated with financial instruments, investment strategies, and services.

For more information, refer to the documents received when signing the contract and to the Swiss Bankers Association’s brochure: “Risks in Trading Financial Instruments” (link).

Key Risk Points:

• Strategy and market risk:
  Gains or losses depend on market developments and the chosen investment strategy. These risks are fully borne by the client.

• Product risk:
  Financial instruments may fluctuate in value, potentially resulting in total loss. Specific product risks are outlined in the Swiss Bankers Association brochure.

• Information risk:
  Aarbay’s recommendations rely on complete and accurate information from the client. Incorrect or incomplete information may result in unsuitable advice or strategies.

• Qualified investor risk (portfolio management):
  Clients using portfolio management are generally considered qualified investors under the Collective Investment Schemes Act (CISA). This provides access to a wider range of investment products, some of which may be less regulated and involve additional risks (liquidity, transparency, or strategy-related risks).

Clients may follow Aarbay’s recommendations or choose a different strategy. If a client opts for a strategy that deviates from Aarbay’s advice, Aarbay explicitly warns of higher potential risks. Aarbay does not guarantee returns, and asset values may rise or fall.

Monetracy provides educational content only. While it may discuss financial instruments and investment strategies for learning purposes, it does not provide personalised investment advice, and no guarantees regarding financial outcomes are made. Users are solely responsible for any financial decisions.

6. Fees and Costs

Aarbay AG charges fees for its regulated financial services as disclosed in the relevant contracts.

Monetracy does not provide any financial services according to the Financial Services Act (FinSA). Any access to educational content on this website is free or subscription-based and does not constitute payment for financial services under FinSA.

7. Ties with Third Parties

Aarbay may have economic ties to third parties in connection with its financial services.

Monetracy may feature references, links, or marketing partnerships with third-party platforms or services for educational purposes. All contractual, financial, or affiliate relationships with such third parties are maintained exclusively by Aarbay AG, the legal entity operating Monetracy. Monetracy as a brand does not provide financial or advisory services, and inclusion of links or references does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or advice. Users should conduct their own due diligence before engaging with any third-party platform.

8. Market Offer Considered

Aarbay AG generally follows an ‘open architecture approach’ to select financial instruments for its clients.

Monetracy provides educational material covering various financial instruments and strategies for learning purposes only. While the website may reference or link to third-party platforms or investment solutions, all contractual, financial, or affiliate relationships are maintained exclusively by Aarbay AG. Monetracy as a brand does not provide investment advice or recommendations, and inclusion of such references does not constitute an endorsement or personal investment advice. Users should conduct their own due diligence before engaging with any third-party platform.