CIM Bank: Swiss online bank account
Marcus Altenburg, Published
CIM Bank is an online bank based in Geneva, founded in 1990. It works with international clients, so a non-resident can open an account here when the source-of-funds file is clean. As an online bank, it typically expects from around CHF 0 to CHF 50,000 — as of July 2026, and not a published per-bank figure.
About CIM Bank
Around 10,000 institutional, corporate and private clients worldwide, including non-resident clients, with online multi-currency accounts.
| Type | Online bank |
|---|---|
| Head office | Geneva |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Legal name | CIM Banque SA |
| Swiss offices | Geneva, Lugano, Wollerau |
| Service languages | English, French, German, Italian |
| Regulator | FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) |
| Non-residents | Accepts international clients |
- Specialises in online multi-currency accounts for non-resident international clients.
- Remote account opening via video call; offices in Geneva, Lugano and Wollerau.
What CIM Bank offers
- Online multi-currency accounts
- Online trading and brokerage
- Private and corporate banking
- Discretionary portfolio management
- Lombard loans, funds and ETFs
Can a non-resident open an account at CIM Bank?
Yes. CIM Bank 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 CIM Bank
- Confirm your profile and the account type. Pick the multi-currency or trading account that fits how you will use it.
- 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. CIM Bank can identify clients remotely by video, so no trip to Switzerland is required.
- Compliance review, then go-live. The bank runs its onboarding, AML and source-of-funds checks, then opens the account and issues access. Expect a few days to two weeks once the file is complete.
Requirements: resident vs non-resident
| Requirement | Swiss resident | Non-resident |
|---|---|---|
| Typical minimum | CHF 0 – 25,000 | CHF 0 – 50,000 |
| Identification | Video or app identification | Video identification, remotely from abroad |
| Indicative timeline | a few days | a few days to two weeks |
| Remote opening | Yes, by video | Yes, by video |
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 CIM Bank, 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. CIM Bank is supervised by FINMA.
Is CIM Bank a fit for a non-resident?
As an online bank, CIM Bank is one of the more accessible routes for a non-resident: accounts open remotely, minimums are low, and the focus is multi-currency banking and trading rather than in-person advice.
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 CIM Bank with 35 other Swiss banks.
Official website: CIM Bank.
Related banks
Related Swiss banks for non-residents
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Frequently asked questions.
01Can a non-resident open an account at CIM Bank?
Yes. CIM Bank is an online 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 CIM Bank?
CIM Bank is an online bank, founded in 1990, based in Geneva. Specialises in online multi-currency accounts for non-resident international clients.
03What is the minimum to bank with CIM Bank?
There is no published per-bank minimum. As an online bank, CIM Bank typically expects from around CHF 0 to CHF 50,000. 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 CIM Bank?
Typically a few days for a Swiss resident and a few days to two 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 CIM Bank account remotely, without visiting Switzerland?
Yes. As an online bank, CIM Bank can verify identity by video, so an account can be opened remotely from abroad.
06How are deposits at CIM Bank 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. CIM Bank is supervised by FINMA.
07Does CIM Bank serve clients in English?
Yes. CIM Bank runs an English-language service alongside French, German, Italian, so a non-resident can be onboarded and advised in English.
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