The Swiss, fearing their economy could collapse under the failure of one of their large banks, have roughly doubled up capital requirements for UBS and Credit Suisse, asking each bank to hold some 75 billion Swiss francs in capital, in common equity and new financial instruments called contingent convertible bonds. Read our coverage here.

The strict rules, known as “Swiss finish” to the new Basel III banking rules, are, however, less stringent than many investors and analysts had feared, because the amount of common equity to be held by the two banks is only slightly higher than prescribed under the international rules.

Instead of holding 7% in common equity against risk-weighted assets, UBS and Credit Suisse will have to own 10% of common equity, something which both banks are expected to attain shortly after the new measures are expected to come into effect in 2013.

Tougher rules for bigger banks: Here's the start.