Swiss Leaks / Impact
ICIJ has redefined what investigative journalism looks like in the 21st century. We have repeatedly conducted journalistic collaborations so big, so visionary and so aspirational that they are unlike any others in history.
Our Offshore Leaks, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers and FinCEN Files investigations were the biggest cross-border journalism projects ever. They have shaken the establishment and led to public protests, to multiple arrests, sweeping legal reform, and official inquiries in more than 70 countries, and to the resignations of the leaders of Pakistan, Iceland and Malta after allegations of corruption.
We helped bring about the Corporate Transparency Act in the United States, hailed as the biggest anti-corruption measure since the Patriot Act of 2001. Our work has also been credited for helping bring more than 130 countries together to sign a worldwide minimum tax rate as a measure to stop giant corporations avoiding their responsibilities.
Oct 21, 2022
Switzerland aims to track corporate ownership in attempt to curb money-laundering
Facing international pressure to shed light on shadowy corporate ownership, government plans to reveal who actually owns legal entities.
Feb 01, 2021
ICIJ nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for combating dark money flows
ICIJ and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice among nominees that also include Committee to Protect Journalists, Russian dissident Alexei Navalny and climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Aug 18, 2020
‘Prove where you got your wealth,’ India tells alleged tax dodger
A landmark ruling against the beneficiary of an undeclared Swiss bank account could be a breakthrough moment for authorities hunting hidden wealth.
Dec 11, 2019
HSBC To Pay $192m Penalty For Helping Americans Evade Taxes
Switzerland’s HSBC Private Bank admitted to encouraging wealthy Americans to hide $1.26 billion in assets from U.S. tax authorities.
Aug 07, 2019
Ex-HSBC Swiss Banker Pleads Guilty in $1.8 Billion French Tax Case
The former head of the bank's private Swiss unit has been fined for his part in helping wealthy clients hide $1.8 billion from French authorities.
Aug 07, 2018
How investigative journalism exposed the Swiss tax ‘rip off’
ICIJ member Oliver Zihlmann is part of a team of investigative reporters working to bring change to one of the most important tax havens in the world.
Dec 27, 2017
The ‘Paradise Papers’ and the Long Twilight Struggle Against Offshore Secrecy
A new mass data leak, this time from an elite law firm with elite clients, shows how deeply offshoring is embedded in the global financial system.
Nov 15, 2017
HSBC to pay $352m to settle tax evasion charges in France
HSBC has agreed to pay $352 million to settle charges that it helped wealthy clients of its private Swiss bank evade taxes in France.
Jan 31, 2016
Report on HSBC’s rocky road to reform in US to be made public
A judge has ruled that a report on HSBC's attempts to fix compliance issues should be public, despite resistance from both the bank and the government.
Jul 21, 2015
‘We didn’t get everything right’: Lord Green concedes on HSBC
A former head of the embattled bank and current member of Britain’s House of Lords has conceded compliance failures at the bank’s Swiss branch.
Jun 04, 2015
HSBC pays Swiss authorities record-breaking fine
Four months after a historic police raid, Geneva's prosecutor dropped a criminal probe into HSBC, but left the bank with a warning.
Jun 03, 2015
Belgium to reclaim €540m taxes from HSBC accounts
Belgian authorities have reportedly investigated about 1000 client accounts from HSBC’s Swiss branch.
May 27, 2015
Tax evaders to be outed under historic Swiss-EU accord
Europe’s Swiss bank account holders will have their information automatically shared with their home country under a new tax transparency agreement.
Apr 14, 2015
Ricci heiress convicted for tax evasion using HSBC
The heiress to a major fashion empire has been sentenced to prison for tax evasion in the first of 50 cases expected in France.
Apr 10, 2015
French set €1b bail as HSBC probe goes beyond Swiss branch
Prosecutors are expanding a criminal investigation to include the bank's global operations, as tax policy becomes a UK election issue.
Apr 02, 2015
More regulatory issues ‘likely,’ HSBC exec reportedly admits
Banking giant HSBC continues to face questions about its ability to block transactions that facilitate law breaking.
Mar 20, 2015
Criminal trial requested as HSBC faces growing pressure
A former HSBC boss and current UK politician has denied “being asleep” at the wheel of the bank, as authorities continue building cases against HSBC.
Mar 10, 2015
BBC Trust chair asked to resign amid HSBC revelations
HSBC's leaders faced another session of intense questioning in the UK as the fallout over Swiss Leaks continues.
Feb 26, 2015
‘Swiss managers most accountable’ for issues: HSBC
HSBC’s chief and chairman have conceded the Swiss Leaks scandal has caused “horrible reputational damage” during a UK hearing on the issue.
Feb 24, 2015
New penalties for bankers aiding tax evasion in UK
Britain mulls new laws against tax evasion, as HSBC chief's own private Swiss bank account is revealed.
Feb 18, 2015
HSBC’s Geneva office raided as Swiss open investigation
Swiss prosecutor opens an investigation into allegations of “aggravated money-laundering” following ICIJ's Swiss Leaks revelations.
Feb 17, 2015
HSBC apologizes as more government probes begin
The global banking giant HSBC has issued a formal apology via full-page newspaper ads in the UK, but faces more investigations.
Feb 13, 2015
Politicians, regulators face questions over HSBC cases
The bank will face committee investigations in the UK, and politicians in the US are weighing Loretta Lynch's attorney general nomination.
Feb 11, 2015
HSBC could face prosecution, as Swiss Leaks fallout continues
Pressure is intensifying in multiple countries, as prosecutors consider charging the bank, and governments face questions.
Feb 09, 2015
Investigations promised as officials respond to Swiss Leaks
Public officials across the globe have condemned the behavior of HSBC, and have called for new investigations, laws, and crackdowns.