Hi there,

Just about to move to Zurich.. wondering if you ever found out and can now share your wisdom :o)

cheers,

Billie 
Sparkles, Aug 19, 2008 @ 12:31

Hugo, Sparkles,

Here's the bit I know:

1. Most expats (but far from all) use UBS, for several reasons:

• There's UBS branches all over CH
• They are well known from other countries
• All branches speak English
• Their rates are competetive vs other banks.

2. It does not cost money to withdraw money from a banco-mat, if you draw money from your own bank. IE, if you have an account with UBS, and you withdraw money from a UBS bancomat, you won't pay a fee. But if you have a UBS account, and you withdraw money from a Bankomat of another bank, you'll pay a fee.

3. Opening a Swiss bank account - assuming you have a local work permit - is not difficult. Here's a list of all UBS bank branches & contact details in CH: any branch can give you more info.

4. Interest rates are low in CH, so you won't make much on your money. Typical rates for current accounts are under 1%, and for saving accounts 1-2%.  

Hope this helps, pls let me know if you need more info.

Nir
Nir Ofek, Aug 19, 2008 @ 21:55

and UBS e-banking is excellent. If you do alot of transfers its worth if for that alone.
floydmarks, Aug 19, 2008 @ 22:39

i started with migros bank, because their rates are a lower then ubs. but their e-banking just sucks. and i means sucks. i now have one checking account with them, and one with ubs. I use the ubs one for most things, and for ebanking i use only ubs. if you don't need ebanking, and you don't need real banking advise in english, migros bank will do. if you do need ebanking, and need some english advice, ubs is the way to go.
pink_bunny, Aug 19, 2008 @ 22:50

Fully agree about UBS's ebanking: it's really good.
Nir Ofek, Aug 20, 2008 @ 13:51

I remember when getting my ATM card from UBS that they told me I could withdraw from any ATM in Switzerland regardless of which bank it belonged to without getting charged extra for it? Am I mistaken or is it just a perk of the plan I signed up with?
EfeE, Aug 20, 2008 @ 14:37

Hi,

I had a close look at the banks for a simple account when I arrived here.

The cheapest is obviously the http://www.postfinance.ch/ but I didn't like the service, also it was not possible to open a rent security deposit for renting an appartment.

Then I had a look at UBS. I didn't like, that they charge you for using ATMs of other banks in Switzerland. Also they charge you for every money transfer.

I asked the people in my office coming from Geneva which would be the best bank here and then decided to open an account at Banque Cantonale de Geneve:

 http://www.bcge.ch/index.php?SubMenu=gestiondefortune&lang=en

You can use every ATM in Switzerland without extra charges, they don't charge you for money transfer (except abroad), they have a good service (if I have a question per mail, I always get a reply within 20min) and they have a good, english internet banking.

Hope, this could help :)
yannik, Aug 20, 2008 @ 19:26