BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA: Swiss universal bank account
Marcus Altenburg, Published
BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA is a universal bank based in Geneva, founded in 1872. It works with international clients, so a non-resident can open an account here when the source-of-funds file is clean. As a universal bank, it typically expects from around CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000 or more for a non-resident — as of July 2026, and not a published per-bank figure.
About BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA
Corporates, institutions and private/wealth clients, including ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
| Type | Universal bank |
|---|---|
| Head office | Geneva |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Employees | around 1,400 (2026) |
| Swiss offices | Geneva, Zurich, Lugano, Basel |
| Part of | BNP Paribas Group |
| Service languages | English, French, German |
| Regulator | FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) |
| Non-residents | Accepts international clients |
- Part of the BNP Paribas Group, present in Switzerland since 1872.
- Operates corporate & institutional banking alongside wealth management.
What BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA offers
- Private banking and wealth management, including UHNW
- Corporate and institutional banking
- Trade finance and financing solutions
- Asset and wealth structuring
Can a non-resident open an account at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA?
Yes. BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA assesses each non-resident applicant on source of wealth, source of funds and risk profile, and runs an English-language service for international clients. The decisive factor is a documented source of funds, not nationality. Assemble the evidence (tax returns, sale or employment records, a clear paper trail) before you approach the bank.
How to open an account at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA
- Confirm your profile and the account type. Agree the type of relationship — personal, private-banking or corporate — and the likely minimum with a relationship manager.
- Assemble the documents. A valid passport, proof of address dated within three months, and evidence of the source of your funds and wealth (full checklist below).
- Verify your identity. Residents can usually start online or in a branch; a non-resident normally attends one in-person meeting at a Swiss office.
- Compliance review, then go-live. The bank runs its onboarding, AML and source-of-funds checks, then opens the account and issues access. Expect two to four weeks once the file is complete.
Requirements: resident vs non-resident
| Requirement | Swiss resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Typical minimum | CHF 0 – 25,000 | CHF 50,000 – 100,000+ |
| Identification | Online or a branch visit | In-person at a Swiss branch |
| Indicative timeline | one to three weeks | two to four weeks |
| Remote opening | Sometimes | Rarely — usually one Swiss visit |
Documents you will need
- a valid passport or national identity card;
- proof of residential address dated within the last three months (utility bill, bank statement or official letter);
- evidence of the source of funds and source of wealth (tax returns, employment or sale contracts, business records, inheritance documents);
- a FATCA/CRS self-certification, plus beneficial-ownership declarations where a company or structure holds the account.
How your money is protected
Deposits at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA, as at every Swiss bank, are covered by the Swiss depositor-protection scheme (esisuisse) up to CHF 100,000 per client, per bank. Securities held in custody remain the client's property and are segregated from the bank's own balance sheet, so they are returned in full even if the bank fails. BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA is supervised by FINMA.
Is BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA a fit for a non-resident?
As a universal bank, BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA can cover everyday banking, financing and wealth services in one place. For a non-resident it tends to suit those with a business or corporate dimension, not only a personal account.
If you would rather have this handled than explained, we prepare the source-of-funds file and introduce you to a suitable bank, and we can incorporate the company an account often sits behind. You can also compare BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA with 35 other Swiss banks.
Official website: BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA.
Same segment
Other universal banks for non-residents
Habib Bank AG Zurich
Habib Bank AG ZurichBanque de Commerce et de Placements (BCP)
Banque de Commerce et de Placements (BCP) FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
01Can a non-resident open an account at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA?
Yes. BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA is a universal bank in Geneva that works with international clients. As with any Swiss bank, approval turns on a documented source of funds and the bank's own onboarding checks, not on nationality alone.
02What kind of bank is BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA?
BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA is a universal bank, part of BNP Paribas Group, founded in 1872, based in Geneva. Part of the BNP Paribas Group, present in Switzerland since 1872.
03What is the minimum to bank with BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA?
There is no published per-bank minimum. As a universal bank, BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA typically expects from around CHF 50,000 to CHF 100,000 or more for a non-resident. The realistic entry point depends on the relationship rather than a fixed rule (as of July 2026).
04How long does it take to open an account at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA?
Typically one to three weeks for a Swiss resident and two to four weeks for a non-resident, measured from a complete file. The compliance and source-of-funds checks are the main variable, not the paperwork itself.
05Can I open a BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA account remotely, without visiting Switzerland?
Usually not entirely. BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA normally expects a non-resident to attend one in-person meeting at its Swiss office; the rest of the process runs remotely.
06How are deposits at BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA protected?
Cash deposits are covered by the Swiss depositor-protection scheme (esisuisse) up to CHF 100,000 per client, per bank. Securities held in custody are your property and are segregated from the bank's own balance sheet, so they are returned in full even in an insolvency. BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA is supervised by FINMA.
07Does BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA serve clients in English?
Yes. BNP Paribas (Suisse) SA runs an English-language service alongside French, German, so a non-resident can be onboarded and advised in English.
Discuss your matter.
A thirty-minute confidential conversation, in any of our five working languages. No fee, no obligation, no boilerplate.
