As far as I know, UBS is still accepting Americans as clients.  You need to visit a certain branch to open an account.  I had to go to Lausanne.

Call them at +41 44 234 1111.

Otherwise try Postfinance. I'm American and have an account there after initially opening up a UBS account. Postfinance better and less expensive anyway for basic banking.

I hear the postfinance is ok you just cant get the credit thing until after a year. But you can get the prepaid credit card.

Second on Postfinance. I opened an account there during my first week here. I didn't have my official residence permit yet (the card), but a letter from the immigration office that the visa was approved was enough to get the account opened. You can get a letter like this (mine was CHF25) when you go to the city hall to bring your paperwork in.

I also got a low-limit credit card with the account, but they didn't send it to me until I sent them a copy of the official residence permit.

I just asked about this at Credit Suisse in Geneva last week. The bank rep told me as long as you have a residence permit you can open an account. No residence permit, no account. 

Carl, Credit Suisse is one of the banks that was booting out American clients a while back.  Did they reverse their position?  Did the person giving the information understand the context?

UBS has a special unit for US citizens and green card holders.

Banque Cantonale de Geneve seems less "complicated"...(at least I was told)

I'd also suggest to go for PostFinance. After UBS turned me away (I am not even American, just had to pay US taxes on my US income), I went there and opened an account without any problem. I am quite satisfied, never had to pay any fee so far and the PostFinance card is as good as a credit card as long as you are in Switzerland - and abroad I still have my other cards.

The only drawback is that PostFinance doesn't offer the security deposit account that you need for renting an apartment in Geneva. I eventually got it from BanqueMigros, but they did ask for my citizenship (luckily they stopped bugging me after I told them I am not American).

As far as im aware all americans with permanant work contract 'indeterminie' then the banks must open an account for any resident in Switzerland. But they dont have to if you live in France or on a short term contract.

If you have any question or need help see with American Citizens Abroad and they could advise or check out there website.

http://americansabroad.org/

http://americansabroad.org/issues/banking/banking-and-the-patriot-act-update/

i will just point out im refering to retail banks and not private banking accounts, ok.

I have accounts at La Poste, Credit Suisse, BCGE, UBS, and SwissQuote

Its is easy to open an account if you have a B or C permit

Wow, thanks to everybody for all of the advice! 

Postfinance is likely to be where I try to turn first. Can a PostFinance account receive international interbank transfers? This is the only banking "feature" I'll nead beyond a simple deposit/withdrawal account.

Cheers, Alexander

@Alexander: Yes, you can receive international interbank transfers. Accounts at Postfinance are not really any different from any other bank account, just the license of Postfinance is not the same as any other bank.

Hello, again - 

I've been reading more on PostFinance accounts. Do i understand correctly that you can make interbank transfers to PostFinance accounts, without being charged a percentage? i.e., you get to transfer foreign currency into a CHF account with PostFinance, at the going interbank rate? Can anybody confirm this or else set me straight?

~ Alexander

https://www.postfinance.ch/en/priv/prod/pay/abroad/inbound.html

Here is the info you're looking for.

Thanks, Monica - 

This was the page I was looking at. What I don't quite understand is the phrase "current forex rate". Is this equivalent to the interbank rate, or is it the interbank rate, plus some percentage chosen by PostFinance? 

Alexander

The foreign exchange market (forex, FX, or currency market) is a global decentralized market for the trading of currencies. The main participants in this market are the larger international banks. from wikipedia

so normal interbank rate