Swiss banks, by canton
Switzerland has one of Europe's most developed banking markets, with an unusual mix of large national groups, cooperative networks and cantonal banks. This directory covers every canton with local rules, deposit protection and how to open an account.
How Swiss banking works
Swiss banking rests on three pillars: the large national groups that operate across the whole country, the cooperative networks (Raiffeisen and the other Verbunde) that dominate rural areas, and the cantonal banks, which are partly cantonal-state owned and often carry explicit cantonal guarantees. Every one of them is licensed by FINMA and covered by the
The key insight. A cantonal bank’s cantonal guarantee changes its credit rating, not your deposit protection. Your 100,000 CHF cover comes from esisuisse and is identical whether you bank with a cantonal bank, a cooperative or a private bank — and it is per institution, not per account.
National banks
UBS
Bank
Largest Swiss bank by assets. Global wealth management and investment banking.
Credit Suisse
Bank
Major Swiss bank (now part of UBS after 2023 acquisition). Wealth management focus.
Zürcher Kantonalbank
Bank
Cantonal bank of Zurich. State-backed, AAA-rated.
PostFinance
Bank
Postal bank with wide branch network through post offices.
Raiffeisen
Bank
Cooperative banking network with strong rural presence.
Digital alternatives
Neon
Bank
Swiss digital bank with free current account. Mobile-first.
Revolut
Bank
UK-licensed fintech operating in Switzerland. Not a full Swiss bank.
Yuh
Bank
Joint venture between Swissquote and PostFinance. Investment-focused.
Zak
Bank
Digital bank from Bank Cler (Raiffeisen group). Free account.
N26
Bank
German-licensed digital bank available in Switzerland. Limited Swiss integration.
Browse banks by canton
Select a canton to see local banks, account opening requirements and regional banking practices.
Common questions
Do I need a Swiss address to open a bank account?
Most Swiss banks require proof of a Swiss address dated within the last three months. A small number offer genuine non-resident accounts with high minimum balances and sometimes an in-person visit, but the Swiss market is stricter about this than most of Europe.
How much of my money is protected?
The esisuisse protects up to 100,000 CHF per person, per institution. This is per bank, not per account.
What ID do I need?
A valid passport or national identity card. EU citizens can use their national ID card. Some banks also require a Swiss tax number (numéro fiscal).
Can I open an account if I live abroad?
It is difficult but not impossible. A few banks offer genuine non-resident accounts, usually with high minimum balances and sometimes an in-person visit. Online banks generally require a Swiss address.