Zurich Cantonal— Bank account opening in Switzerland

Canton Zurich holds 100% ownership through ZKB's status as an independent public-law institution established under cantonal legislation. The bank operates without private shareholders—all profits flow to the canton and municipalities through dividends and profit participation (CHF 562 million in 2024).

The primary SWIFT/BIC code is ZKBKCHZZ80A. This identifier routes international wire transfers to ZKB's main processing center.

Yes, but the bank prioritizes clients with economic connections to Canton Zurich. Non-residents must demonstrate legitimate business activities, employment, or investment ties to the region. Requirements include valid identification, proof of address, source of funds documentation, and explanation of the Swiss banking relationship's purpose.

In our practice advising international clients, successful applications typically involve registered Swiss entities (AG/GmbH), local directors, and documented business operations.

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and does not replace professional consultation.

EU citizens (non-Swiss residents) must provide: (1) valid passport or national ID card, (2) proof of address (utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months), (3) documentation of income source (employment contracts, tax returns, or business financial statements), and (4) explanation of account purpose and anticipated transaction volumes.

Corporate accounts require additional documentation: commercial register extracts, articles of association, beneficial ownership declarations, board resolutions authorizing account opening, and director identification. Processing times range from 2-4 weeks for straightforward applications to 6-8 weeks for international structures requiring enhanced due diligence.

Yes, ZKB Visa Debit Cards integrate with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Fitbit Pay, Garmin Pay, and SwatchPay for contactless payments. Clients activate digital wallets through the ZKB Mobile Banking app, enabling smartphone-based transactions at NFC-enabled terminals globally.

Standard Swiss deposit insurance (esisuisse) protects up to CHF 100,000 per client per bank. ZKB's cantonal guarantee provides unlimited coverage—Canton Zurich backs all deposits without ceiling. This means a corporate treasury holding CHF 5 million receives the same cantonal backing as a CHF 50,000 savings account.

ZKB offers global market access through securities trading, structured products, and Swisscanto funds (ranked #2 in Switzerland). Since 2024, clients can trade and custody Bitcoin and Ethereum through the bank's digital asset platform. The ZKB Gold ETF (ZGLD) provides physically-backed gold exposure with EUR 7.284 billion in assets.

ZKB holds the largest mortgage portfolio in Canton Zurich (CHF 106.6 billion). Rates vary based on property type, loan-to-value ratio, and term. The bank's deep local market knowledge often translates to competitive pricing for Zurich real estate, though digital lenders may offer lower rates for straightforward cases.

Yes, but ZKB prioritizes companies with substantive economic ties to Canton Zurich—registered office, local employees, or documented business operations in the region. Purely offshore structures without Swiss presence face higher rejection rates. Legal representation often streamlines the compliance process.

ZKB provides services in German, English, French, and Italian. Multilingual staff support international clients across various jurisdictions. Online banking and mobile apps offer German, English, French, and Italian interfaces.

UBS offers global presence (280 branches in 50 countries) and sophisticated cross-border wealth platforms. ZKB provides cantonal guarantee security and deep Zurich market expertise. Choose UBS for international complexity; choose ZKB when cantonal backing and local integration outweigh global reach.