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Adam Abdellaoui
Of Counsel
EFG Bank (Zurich) SA - How to Open an Account
Date of last update: 12 January 2026
EFG International AG is a global Swiss private banking group headquartered in Zurich, specializing in wealth management and investment solutions for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. Listed on SIX Swiss Exchange under ticker EFGN, the bank manages approximately CHF 159 billion in assets as of April 2025 and operates through offices across Switzerland, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
EFG combines Swiss banking tradition with a client-centric approach, offering tailored private banking, asset management, and advisory services through dedicated relationship officers.
EFG combines Swiss banking tradition with a client-centric approach, offering tailored private banking, asset management, and advisory services through dedicated relationship officers.
+41 (44) 5152530
EFG International AG
Ticker: EFGN (SIX Swiss Exchange)
Assets Under Management
CHF 159 bn
April 2025
Fitch Rating
A (Stable)
Affirmed 2 Oct 2025
Headquarters
Zurich
Switzerland
Bank Type
Private Bank
Wealth Management Focus
Key Metrics & Performance
Net Profit
CHF 130m
First 4 months 2025
Net New Assets
CHF 3.0bn
5.5% annualized growth
Employees
3,114
Total workforce (2024)
Relationship Officers
703
Dedicated CROs (2024)
Service Divisions
Private Banking
- •Deposit accounts & securities brokerage
- •Lombard and mortgage lending
- •Fiduciary placements
- •Treasury & foreign exchange
Wealth Solutions
- •Trust structures & foundations
- •Corporate entities
- •Estate planning
- •Investment fund administration
Investment Services
- •Advisory mandates
- •Discretionary portfolio management
- •Structured products
- •Global strategic asset allocation
Maria Werner
Of Counsel – specialized in corporate law and tax law
info@goldblum.ch
+41 (44) 5152530
Onboarding Procedure
10-20 business daysStep 1
Initial Consultation
Personal meeting with relationship officer to establish financial objectives, risk tolerance, and service requirements. Assessment of alignment with bank services.
Step 2
Compliance Review
Submission of identity verification, proof of address, and source-of-wealth documentation. Bank conducts risks assessment and sanctions screening.
Step 3
Account Activation
Final account setup and access to services. Implementation of investment strategy or wealth structuring plan with ongoing monitoring.
Documentation Standards
Non-Resident Individuals
- Original domestic and foreign passports
- Proof of address (not older than 3 months)
- CV detailing business activities
- Comprehensive source-of-wealth documentation (sale contracts, tax returns, dividend statements)
Corporate Entities
- Articles of incorporation
- Shareholder registry with UBO disclosure
- Board resolution authorizing account opening
- KYC documentation for all directors & owners
Swiss Operational Hubs
Zurich Headquarters
EFG Bank Zürich
Bleicherweg 8
8022 Zurich
Switzerland
8022 Zurich
Switzerland
+41 44 226 17 17
Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00
Geneva Office
EFG Bank Genève
24 Quai du Seujet
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
+41 22 918 71 71
Mon-Fri 08:30-18:00
Lugano Office
EFG Bank Lugano
Viale Stefano Franscini 8
6900 Lugano
Switzerland
6900 Lugano
Switzerland
+41 58 809 31 11
History & Milestones
1995
EFG International founded in Zurich by Jean-Pierre Cuoni through acquisitions of Banque de Dépôts and Royal Bank of Scotland's Swiss operations.
2005
Initial public offering completed on 7 October. Listed on SIX Swiss Exchange under ticker EFGN.
2016-2017
Acquisition of private bank BSI SA for approx. CHF 1.33 billion. Legal merger completed in April 2017, doubling the bank's footprint.
Key Policies & Jurisdictions
Global Booking Centers
In addition to Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva, Lugano), EFG operates centers in Jersey, Luxembourg, Bahamas, and Singapore, selectable based on client residence and regulatory needs.
U.S. Persons Policy
Restrictions apply to companies with U.S. citizens in their ownership structure. Individual U.S. persons face enhanced due diligence and documentation requirements.
Cryptocurrency Assets
Evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Requires verification of on-chain sources, clear origin of digital assets, and full AML compliance.
Frequently asked questions
EFG International AG is a global Swiss private banking group headquartered in Zurich, offering private banking and asset management services to high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutional clients. The bank operates through a network of offices in Switzerland, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean, with approximately CHF 159 billion in assets under management as of April 2025.
Yes. EFG operates as a Swiss bank regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. EFG International AG is listed on SIX Swiss Exchange under ticker EFGN and reports capital under the Swiss Capital Adequacy Ordinance.
The headquarters of EFG International AG is located at Bleicherweg 8, P.O. Box 6012, 8022 Zurich, Switzerland. This office serves as the group's central corporate decision center and main Swiss private banking entity. Additional key Swiss offices operate in Geneva (24 Quai du Seujet) and Lugano (Viale Stefano Franscini 8).
Prospective clients begin with an initial consultation with an EFG relationship officer to discuss financial objectives and service requirements. The process includes identity verification, source-of-wealth documentation, and compliance review aligned with Swiss anti-money laundering regulations. Document review and account opening typically take 10-20 business days from submission.
For non-resident individuals, EFG requires original domestic and foreign passports, a curriculum vitae detailing business activities and fund origins, proof of address (not older than 3 months), and comprehensive source-of-wealth documentation (such as sale contracts, dividend statements, or tax returns). Enhanced due diligence applies to clients presenting elevated risk profiles.
Yes. EFG provides private banking services to international companies, including AG/GmbH structures and foreign corporations. Corporate account opening requires additional documentation: articles of incorporation, shareholder registry with UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) disclosure, board resolution authorizing account opening, specimen signatures, and KYC documentation for all directors and beneficial owners.
EFG International does not publicly disclose a fixed minimum asset threshold for private banking services. Account opening conditions are discussed individually during the initial consultation, taking into account the client's financial objectives, jurisdiction, and service requirements.
EFG's fee structure varies by service model and client profile. Typical components include custody fees (annual percentage of assets under custody), advisory fees (for advisory mandates), discretionary management fees (for discretionary mandates), transaction commissions (for securities trading), and foreign exchange spreads. Detailed fee schedules are provided during the onboarding process.
EFG's policy toward cryptocurrency-related clients and sources of funds requires individual assessment. The bank evaluates crypto-related wealth on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the origin of digital assets, compliance with anti-money laundering requirements, verification of on-chain sources, and the client's overall profile.
As of 2024, EFG Bank has implemented restrictions on opening accounts for companies with U.S. citizens in their ownership structure, reflecting the bank's risk management approach to FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) and related U.S. regulatory requirements. Individual U.S. persons may face additional documentation requirements and enhanced due diligence.
EFG International operates booking centers across multiple jurisdictions to serve international clients: Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva, Lugano), Jersey, Luxembourg, Bahamas, Singapore, and other locations across Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The choice of booking center depends on the client's residence, citizenship, business activities, and regulatory considerations.
Prospective clients can contact EFG through the following channels:
- Zurich headquarters: +41 44 226 17 17 (Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00)
- Geneva office: +41 22 918 71 71 (Monday-Friday 08:30-18:00)
- Lugano office: +41 58 809 31 11
- Online: Visit the official EFG International website for contact forms and regional office information
- In person: Schedule an appointment at any Swiss office location
All initial consultations are conducted on a confidential basis and do not create any obligation.
- Zurich headquarters: +41 44 226 17 17 (Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00)
- Geneva office: +41 22 918 71 71 (Monday-Friday 08:30-18:00)
- Lugano office: +41 58 809 31 11
- Online: Visit the official EFG International website for contact forms and regional office information
- In person: Schedule an appointment at any Swiss office location
All initial consultations are conducted on a confidential basis and do not create any obligation.
Adam Abdellaoui
Your personal contact
Of Counsel
Contact us to learn more about opening a Swiss bank account
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