On Thursday evening, Swiss Life Asset Managers, together with Lucerne Univer-sity of Applied Sciences and Arts and media partner Finanz und Wirtschaft, pre-sented the 2025 Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award for the best Master’s and Bachelor’s theses in the field of finance at Swiss universities of applied sci-ences.
A total of 26 Master’s and Bachelor’s theses from across Switzerland were submitted for the Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award. An independent jury of experts picked out four theses as being particularly outstanding. The winners received the coveted award at Swiss Life’s head office in Zurich as well as a financial reward for their outstanding performance.
At the award ceremony, Per Erikson, Group Chief Investment Officer of the Swiss Life Group, emphasised: “The purpose of the Thesis Award is to promote innovative thinking and practice-oriented research. The nominated theses clearly demonstrate the variety and relevance of the issues graduates are tackling today.” Prof. Philipp Lütolf, jury member and lecturer at the Institute for Financial Services Zug (IFZ), part of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, also praised the quality of the theses: “The Bachelor’s and Master’s theses submitted reflect the diversity and innovative strength of the Swiss university landscape. All nominees can be very proud of their performance.”
Review of the award winners
Fabienne Häfliger, from Sursee, a graduate of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, investigated the potential of micro-apartments and cluster apartments as innovative forms of housing in the city of Lucerne. Her work analysed supply and demand, shed light on challenges such as stringent regulations and high costs, and provided valuable insights into urban development. The jury praised her in-depth analysis, the practical methodology and her thesis’ real relevance to current issues on the residential market. Fabienne Häfliger was awarded the Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award in the Bachelor's category, worth CHF 5000.
Lorenzo Lentini Quadrelli, from Aadorf, a graduate of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration, showed how AI-based sentiment analyses of Swiss media articles can be used to tactically manage an equity portfolio. The jury praised his innovative approach and methodological depth, but also emphasised his critical reflection on the limitations and his realistic assessment of the practical applicability. The jury acknowledged his work with an Honourable Mention in the Bachelor’s category, worth CHF 2500.
Dragan Miletic, from Wettingen, a graduate of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, produced a Master’s thesis analysing how surprising monetary policy decisions by the US Federal Reserve affect the performance of the US stock market throughout different market phases and crises. The jury particularly emphasised his clean empirical implementation, his detailed analysis of structural breaks and the high practical relevance of the results. With this thesis, Dragan Miletic earned the Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award in the Master’s category, worth CHF 5000.
In his Master’s thesis, Patrick Hadorn, from Aarberg, a graduate of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration, compared the open banking ecosystems of the UK and Switzerland and derived specific recommendations for the Swiss financial centre. The jury praised the clear structure, in-depth analyses and practical recommendations, especially with regard to the further development of the market based approach in Switzerland. The author received the Honourable Mention in the Master’s category, worth CHF 2500.
The prizewinners’ institutions receive CHF 1500 each for the bestowal of the Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award, and CHF 1000 for the Honourable Mention.
About the Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award
Each year, the Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award, in collaboration with the Institute of Financial Services in Zug (IFZ), part of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, and Finanz und Wirtschaft, promotes innovative and practice-oriented research work at Swiss universities of applied sciences on topics such as financial investments, financial markets, financial services companies, financial instruments and corporate finance. The best theses are awarded the prize in recognition of the students’ achievements.
Swiss Life Asset Managers Thesis Award jury members
- Prof. Philipp Lütolf, lecturer at the Institute of Financial Services in Zug (IFZ), part of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
- Philippe Béguelin, Head of Markets Department, Finanz und Wirtschaft
- Claudia Bernasconi, Head of Current Account at the Swiss National Bank (SNB)
- Damian Künzi, Head of Macroeconomic, Swiss Life Asset Managers
- Dr. Benjamin Jonen, Head of Financial Engineering, Swiss Life Asset Managers
- Diego Liechti, Head of Investments and Member of the Executive Board of the PKG pension fund
Information
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