Partner

Dr. Peter Hsu

Zurich, Switzerland
Partner
Dr. Peter Hsu
Zurich, Switzerland

Portrait

Peter Hsu is key contact person for Banking, Insurance & Finance and heads Bär & Karrer's insurance team. His practice focuses on banking, insurance, financing and capital markets. He advises Swiss and foreign banks, insurers, securities firms, asset managers, insurance brokers and other financial intermediaries as well as fintech and insurtech businesses with regard to M&A, regulatory, corporate law and contract law matters. Moreover, he advises clients on M&A transactions in other sectors.

Peter Hsu has published several books and articles on topics in banking, insurance and capital markets and is regularly invited to speak on these topics.

Peter Hsu is recognized as a leading lawyer in Chambers and listed in Legal 500 in the "Hall of Fame" for his excellent work. Peter Hsu is ranked as a leading individual in the practice areas of Banking & Finance as well as Insurance & Reinsurance and listed as "most highly regarded" practitioner in Insurance & Reinsurance (Who's Who Legal 2018). The Legal 500 refers to him as a "key individual within the banking and insurance sector" and "an outstanding source of advice in banking matters with great experience in the banking and insurance sector" (2020). Furthermore, a source in The Legal 500 2020 describes him as "most user-friendly lawyer – down-to-earth, ready to roll up his sleeves, but also experienced and sage in his advice". In Who's Who Legal, he is quoted as "the 'go-to guy' for clients in need of insurance and reinsurance regulatory advice" (2013, 2018) and "key player in the Swiss insurance and reinsurance regulatory field" (2014) and wins praise for his "unparalleled abilities". In addition, he is described as "extremely knowledgeable" in insurance and regulatory matters, lauded for his "business oriented approach" (2016) and it is further noted that "he is not only an expert on regulatory topics, but also has a very profound understanding of other legal areas". Moreover, he is praised for "his pragmatic approach to resolve legal issues" (2018). In IFLR 1000, a client characterizes him as "very knowledgeable, detail-oriented and very open to novel solutions and approaches" (2016).

Peter Hsu provides an amazing breadth of expertise in banking and regulatory matters.
Chambers Global 2025
Peter Hsu is highly sought after by fintech venture investors and blockchain companies for his exceptional experience across the gamut of regulatory and transactional matters.
Who's Who Legal Fintech & Blockchain - Fintech 2023
He has a longstanding practice, he is very thorough and client-oriented.
Source in Chambers Global 2022
A truly excellent lawyer.
Source in WWL 2021
Top regulatory guy!
Source in WWL 2021
The go-to guy!
Source in WWL 2021
Very strong presence in the insurance market.
Source in WWL 2021
Perfect advice which can easily and readily be implemented and used for further action within the company.
Client in IFLR1000 2021
Stands out for his significant experience advising fintech and insurtech businesses.
Source in WWL 2021
Provides professional, pragmatic and implementable solutions.
Client in IFLR1000 2021
Extremely responsive and understands very well the business of the bank and the involved risks.
Client in IFLR1000 2021
Excellent team manager with great business understanding.
Source in Legal 500 2020
Peter Hsu is the most user-friendly lawyer I have met in Switzerland.
Source in Legal 500 2020
Down-to-earth, ready to roll up his sleeves, but also experienced and sage in his advice.
Source in Legal 500 2020
Peter Hsu’s services are first class.
Source in Legal 500 2020
He is an outstanding source of advice in banking matters with great experience in the banking and insurance sector.
Source in Legal 500 2020
Very strong and good for financial services, very responsive.
Client in Chambers Global 2020
Knowledgeable and clever.
Client in Chambers FinTech 2020
Very well-known expert in the market who is very active in regulatory and M&A work.
Interviewee in Who's Who Legal Insurance & Banking 2019
A straight up intellectual and astute lawyer.
Client in IFLR 1000 2020
Very important player in the market, and definitely an expert in the field.
Who's Who Legal 2019
He has a brilliant overview of complex and multidisciplinary matters.
Interviewee in Chambers Europe 2019
A well known expert for insurance supervision law.
Who's Who Legal Insurance & Reinsurance 2018
Not only an expert on regulatory topics, but also has a very profund understanding of legal areas.
Who's Who Legal Insurance & Reinsurance 2018
Stands out for his pragmatic approach.
Who's Who Legal Banking 2018
Very knowledgeable, very flexible and delivers very fast and precise answers.
Chambers Fintech 2018
He is very pragmatic.
Client in Chambers Europe 2018
Exemplary reputation in the market for excellence and achievement.
Client in Who's Who Legal 2016
Extremely knowledgeable.
Client in Who's Who Legal 2016
Has in-depth knowledge of the banking and insurance industry.
Legal 500 2016
Very knowledgeable, detail-oriented and very open to novel solutions and approaches.
Client in IFLR 1000 2016
Peter Hsu is "widely respected across the fintech industry" for his deep expertise in representing clients in regulatory licensing and enforcement proceedings.
Lexology Index 2025 - Research Switzerland
Peter Hsu is a clear leader in the insurance and reinsurance field and a trusted source of guidance for major Swiss and foreign banks and other leading financial intermediaries. He is also well-regarded for his valuable contributions to the academic advancement of the sector.
Lexology Index 2025 - Research Switzerland
Peter Hsu is a distinguished practitioner with a wealth of experience advising insurers, brokers and insurance technology companies on regulatory, transactional and corporate matters.
Lexology Index 2025 - Insurance
Peter Hsu is highly sought after by fintech venture investors and blockchain companies for his exceptional experience across the gamut of regulatory and transactional matters.
Lexology Index 2025 - Fintech & Blockchain
Peter is a very strong lawyer in the field.
Lexology Index 2025 - Banking
A go-to lawyer for any banking-related matters in Switzerland.
Lexology Index 2025 - Banking
Peter Hsu is singled out by market commentators as "a leading practitioner in insurance regulatory matters.
Lexology Index 2025 - Thought Leaders - Global Elite
Peter Hsu is a truly exceptional lawyer, combining deep technical expertise with a rare and sophisticated understanding of the fintech and financial services market.
Legal 500 2026
He is distinguished by his ability to anticipate regulatory and commercial developments, providing clients with advice that is both innovative and pragmatically grounded.
Legal 500 2026
Peter Hsu stands out due to his expertise, dedication, and ability to approach challenges with effective solutions.
Legal 500 2026
What sets him apart from competitors is his deep industry knowledge, combined with a collaborative and client-focused approach.
Legal 500 2026
Career
  • Partner at Bär & Karrer (since 2009)
  • University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law: LL.M. (2004)
  • Associate at Bär & Karrer (2002-2003 and 2004-2008)
  • New York State Bar (2004)
  • Admitted to the Zurich Bar (2002)
  • Law Clerk to the Labour court at the District Court of Zurich (2000-2001)
  • Law Clerk to the District Court of Zurich (2000)
  • University of Zurich: Dr. iur. (1999)
  • Inhouse counsel at SWX Swiss Exchange/Ad hoc publicity (1997-1999)
  • Research assistant to Prof. Dr. H.C. von der Crone at the University of Zurich (1996-1997)
  • University of Zurich: lic. iur. (1995)
Memberships
  • European Forum on Financial Crime & Sanctions Risk Management (Member of the Steering Commitee)
  • AIDA Swiss Chapter (Member of the Organising Committee)
  • Swiss Bar Association (SAV/FSA)
  • Zurich Bar Association (ZAV)
  • International Bar Association (IBA)
  • Swiss Society for Liability and Insurance Law (SGHVR)
  • Co-editor of the Basel Commentary on the Anti-Money Laundering Act (MLA)
  • Co-editor of the Basler Commentary on the Insurance Supervision Act (ISA)
  • Board member of Jyske Bank (Schweiz) AG (2015/2016)
  • English
  • German

Practice Areas

Peter Hsu's Deals, Cases & News

All Deals, Cases & News
Ranked as "excellent" in Investments Funds
by Leaders League 2023
Ranked as "leading" in Banking & Finance
by Leaders League 2023
Ranked as a "leading lawyer"
by Legal 500 2023

Peter Hsu's latest Publications

Peter Hsu's latest Speaking Engagements