WEKO said it had opened a probe against various banks on September 30 after learning about potentially anti-competitive discussions between banks.

"Through discussions they are said to have manipulated various exchange rates," the statement said.

WEKO declined to name the banks under investigation.

Earlier on Friday, Switzerland's financial markets regulator said it was investigating several Swiss banks in connection with the possible manipulation of foreign exchange rates.

(Reporting by Edward Taylor; Editing by Carmel Crimmins)

Stocks treated in this article : Credit Suisse Group AG, UBS AG, Julius Baer Gruppe AG