Postbank or  a Cantonal bank... would appear to be the cheapest options on the "banking" front".

Postbank is probably cheapest, but I'm not sure if they offer EFT services aboard like Maestro.

I went with UBS - they are not expensive for basic current accounts, and I believe Glocals has a special deal with them - check the Glocals Specials page.

Hi

I have "UBS personal account" since when I live here and, surprisingly, it's quite cheap:

http://www.ubs.com/1/e/ubs_ch/private/accounts/personal_ch.html

no expenses provided you leave more than 10000 CHF on the account and you deactivate the paper communications (they will explain you everything)

plus UBS BASIC (attention: BASIC - the green one, not STANDARD) credit card (Mastercard, as some little coop stores doesn't accept VISA):

http://www.ubs.com/2/g/cards_online/documents/e/factsheet_basic_e.pdf

no commissions, and no yearly fee if you use it more than 24 times per year (twice per month)

plus UBS Maestro debit card

http://www.ubs.com/1/e/ubs_ch/private/cards/cards_detail/prices.html

40 CHF per year, withdrawals free of charge from ATMs of any bank

cheers

fabrizio

PS1: I don't like post bank, as withdrawals are free only at the post ATMs

PS2: somebody told me that also migros bank has a very good offer, but I don't know the details

http://www.glocals.com/#/guide-banking-switzerland-ubs/

100 time I would say in your case Postfinance is the best option !

Thanks so much for your advice guys! I don't have 10k so I checked out Post Finance, 3 CHF per month - I doubt I'll find cheaper than that!

Cheers,

Amy