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Adam Abdellaoui
Of Counsel
Your consultant
Habib Bank AG Zurich— Bank account opening in Switzerland
Date of last update: 12 January 2026
Habib Bank AG Zurich operates as an independent Swiss financial institution established in 1967, offering private banking, wealth management, and trade finance services to international clients across four continents. Regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA), the bank combines traditional Swiss banking values with modern digital solutions, serving high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and financial institutions through its headquarters in Zurich and branches in 11 countries.
+41 (44) 5152530
Habib Bank AG Zurich
Last updated: January 2026
Jurisdiction
Switzerland
Independent Swiss Entity
Established
1967
Founded by Hyder Habib
Regulator
FINMA
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority
SWIFT / BIC
HBZUCHZZXXX
Zurich Headquarters
Understanding the Difference
These are three legally independent financial institutions operating under different jurisdictions. There is no legal or ownership affiliation between Habib Bank AG Zurich and Habib Bank Limited.
Habib Bank AG Zurich
SWITZERLAND
- • Regulated by FINMA
- • Independent Swiss Bank
- • Focus: Int'l Private Banking
Habib Bank Limited (HBL)
PAKISTAN
- • Regulated by State Bank of Pakistan
- • Separate Legal Entity
- • Focus: Universal Banking
Bank Al Habib
PAKISTAN
- • Regulated by State Bank of Pakistan
- • Incorporated in 1991
- • Focus: Retail/Commercial
Financial Performance 2024
Net Profit (2024)
CHF 198.2M
↑ +26% Year-on-Year
Global Workforce
7,904
Across 587 offices
Global Network
11 Countries
4 Continents
Source: Habib Bank AG Zurich, Annual Report (2024)
Core Services & Solutions
01
Private Banking
Tailored for HNWIs with dedicated relationship managers. Includes wealth preservation, Lombard lending, and access to alternative investments under Swiss confidentiality standards.
02
Wealth Management
Discretionary mandates and strategic planning. Focuses on capital preservation, tax optimization, succession planning, and multi-generational wealth transfer.
03
Investment Services
Advisory services and Islamic investment solutions (Sukuk, Shariah-compliant funds). Directed by the Chief Investment Officer in Zurich.
04
Trade Finance
Instruments including letters of credit, guarantees, and working capital financing. Includes "Sirat Trade Finance" for Shariah-compliant solutions.
Account Opening Procedure
1
Initial Consultation
Establish account purpose and service requirements. Relationship managers assess profile alignment with capabilities.
2
Document Preparation (KYC)
Complete application, KYC profiling, and Self-Certification forms. Required documents:
- • Passport/National ID (Notarized copy, all pages)
- • Proof of Address (Utility bill/statement, <3-6 months)
- • Proof of Funds (Sale agreements, tax declarations, etc.)
- • CV/Resume containing education and asset details
3
Compliance Review
FINMA-mandated due diligence. Includes screening for sanctions (SECO), PEP status, and origin of funds verification. Enhanced due diligence (EDD) applies to higher risk profiles.
4
Activation
Provision of online credentials, cards, and investment platform access. Coordinator of initial deposit.
Maria Werner
Of Counsel – specialized in corporate law and tax law
info@goldblum.ch
+41 (44) 5152530
Global Presence & History
International Network
Operating in 11 countries across 4 continents. Key operational hubs include:
- Switzerland (Zurich HQ)
- United Arab Emirates (Since 1974)
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Hong Kong
- Kenya & South Africa
Key Milestones
1967
Incorporated in Zurich by Hyder Mohamedali Habib
1974
Operations commenced in UAE
1841
Family business tradition begins (Habib Esmail)
Headquarters
Address
Habib Bank AG Zurich
Weinbergstrasse 59
8006 Zurich, Switzerland
Weinbergstrasse 59
8006 Zurich, Switzerland
Contact
+41 44 269 45 00
habibbank.com
Security Reminder
Never share login credentials via email. Always use the official URL: https://online.habibbank.com
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Habib Bank AG Zurich is a Swiss legal entity incorporated in 1967, registered with the Swiss commercial registry (CHE-105.951.914), and supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The bank operates under Swiss Federal Banking Act provisions and maintains its headquarters at Weinbergstrasse 59, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland.
Habib Bank AG Zurich does not publicly disclose specific minimum deposit or assets under management (AUM) thresholds for private banking accounts. Requirements vary by account type and services requested. Prospective clients should contact the bank directly for a personalized consultation to determine eligibility and service options. The bank's private banking division typically serves high-net-worth individuals with substantial investable assets.
No. Habib Bank AG Zurich is a separate legal entity with no involvement in regulatory actions or litigation concerning Habib Bank Limited (HBL). The New York State Department of Financial Services fined HBL $225 million on September 7, 2017, for anti-money laundering violations, leading to HBL's surrender of its New York branch license on August 31, 2017. The Federal Reserve terminated enforcement actions against HBL on September 29, 2020. Ongoing U.S. terror financing lawsuits against HBL under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (2020-2024) do not involve Habib Bank AG Zurich.
Habib Bank AG Zurich serves clients from diverse jurisdictions with multilingual staff fluent in English, German, French, and various other languages. The bank's international network ensures effective communication across different markets and regulatory environments.
The bank operates under FINMA supervision and adheres to Swiss Federal Banking Act requirements, including comprehensive KYC/AML procedures, transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, and suspicious activity reporting. Enhanced due diligence applies to high-risk clients and transactions. The bank's compliance framework aligns with international standards for anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism.
Clients access discretionary portfolio management, advisory services, and Islamic investment solutions across multiple asset classes. The Chief Investment Officer office in Zurich directs strategic asset allocation and tactical decisions. Investment options include equities, bonds, alternative investments, structured products, and Shariah-compliant instruments through the Islamic Window.
Yes. The bank provides trade finance instruments (letters of credit, guarantees, receivables financing), corporate credit facilities, cash management services, and foreign exchange solutions for international operations. Sirat Trade Finance offers Shariah-compliant import/export financing for corporate clients.
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the client's profile and the completeness of submitted documentation. Initial consultation and document preparation typically take 1-2 weeks. Compliance review and due diligence may require 2-4 weeks, depending on risk assessment and verification requirements. Account activation follows compliance approval, usually within 1-2 business days.
Habib Bank AG Zurich employs encryption protocols, session timeouts, transaction verification mechanisms, and two-factor authentication for online banking access. Mobile applications require biometric authentication or PIN codes. Clients receive real-time alerts for significant transactions and account changes. The bank recommends never sharing login credentials via email or clicking links in unsolicited messages.
Yes. Habib Bank AG Zurich serves international clients from diverse jurisdictions. Non-residents must complete enhanced KYC procedures, including proof of identity, proof of address, proof of funds, and source-of-wealth documentation. Compliance requirements vary based on the client's country of residence and risk profile. Prospective clients should contact the bank for specific eligibility criteria.
Habib Bank AG Zurich offers wealth structuring services including trust formation, estate planning, and legacy frameworks for multi-generational wealth transfer. The bank coordinates with legal and tax advisors to design structures aligned with client objectives and jurisdictional requirements. Services include succession planning, tax optimization, and asset protection strategies.
Habib Bank AG Zurich combines traditional Swiss banking values with a family-owned structure and international network spanning 11 countries. The bank's heritage traces to 1841 through the Habib family's business tradition. Unlike larger Swiss banks, Habib Bank AG Zurich maintains a personalized service model with dedicated relationship managers and specialized expertise in trade finance and Islamic banking solutions.
Fee structures vary based on account type, assets under management, and services utilized. Habib Bank AG Zurich typically charges management fees for discretionary mandates, transaction fees for advisory services, and custody fees for asset safekeeping. Prospective clients should request a detailed fee schedule during the initial consultation to understand costs aligned with their specific requirements.
Yes. Habib Bank AG Zurich operates an Islamic Window providing Shariah-compliant investment services, including Sukuk (Islamic bonds), equity funds screened for Shariah compliance, and structured products adhering to Islamic finance principles. Sirat Trade Finance offers Shariah-compliant import/export financing solutions for corporate clients.
Prospective clients can contact the bank's headquarters in Zurich at +41 44 269 45 00 or visit the official website at habibbank.com. The bank's international branches in the UAE, UK, Kenya, and other jurisdictions provide local contact options. Relationship managers are available for personalized consultations to discuss account opening, investment services, and wealth management solutions.
Adam Abdellaoui
Your personal contact
Of Counsel
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