Swiss and Tier 1 banking
Opening a Swiss bank account is harder than it used to be. A good introduction still opens doors.
Banks have raised the bar for new clients. Switzerland remains one of the strongest banking jurisdictions in the world, and a well prepared file is what separates an approved application from a declined one. We assess your situation quickly and tell you how feasible an opening is and how long it is likely to take.
What changed
Stricter onboarding is now the norm
Over the past decade, Swiss and international banks have tightened how they take on new clients. The standards are higher, the reviews take longer and the margin for an incomplete file is small.
Deeper compliance reviews
KYC, AML and automatic tax information exchange under CRS and FATCA mean every new relationship is reviewed in detail before an account number is issued.
Source of wealth must be documented
Banks expect a clear, verifiable account of how wealth was created, with contracts, statements and company records that support it.
More selective with non-residents
Many institutions now accept foreign clients only when the profile, the jurisdiction and the expected activity fit their risk appetite.
Why Switzerland
Still a leading banking jurisdiction
Stability
Political continuity, a strong currency and a central bank with a long record of independence.
Legal certainty
A predictable legal framework, robust supervision by FINMA and strong depositor protection.
Private banking depth
Generations of experience in wealth management, custody and multi currency services.
Long term horizon
Banks built for relationships that last decades, across generations of a family.
The prepared introduction
Why preparation makes the difference
Most declined applications fail on presentation, not on substance. We structure your profile before any bank sees it and match it to institutions whose criteria it actually meets.
- A clear narrative of your professional activity and the origin of your wealth
- Supporting documents organised the way a compliance team expects to read them
- Expected account activity, currencies and products defined in advance
- A targeted shortlist of banks with an appetite for your profile and country of residence
- A personal introduction to a relationship manager rather than a cold application
Our assessment
A fast, candid outlook on your case
Feasibility
A clear view of whether an opening is realistic: high, conditional or unlikely.
Timeline
A realistic range for how long the process should take with the banks in question.
Documents
The specific documents you will need, and any gaps to close first.
Suitable banks and jurisdictions
Where your profile fits best, in Switzerland or in another Tier 1 centre.
Beyond Switzerland
Tier 1 banks across leading financial centres
The same discipline applies worldwide. Together with our partners, we support account openings with Tier 1 banks in several jurisdictions, chosen to fit your residence, business and currency needs.
Switzerland
Private and corporate banking, CHF and multi currency custody.
Liechtenstein
Private banking with close ties to the Swiss market and EEA access.
Luxembourg
EU based private banking and fund structures.
Singapore
Asia's leading wealth management hub.
United Kingdom
Global banking groups and deep capital markets in London.
United Arab Emirates
International banks serving the Gulf and the wider region.
Tier 1 only
We work only with Tier 1 banks
Our partners and we introduce clients exclusively to Tier 1 institutions. We do not work with small or limited private banks that depend on a Tier 1 correspondent bank to move their clients' money.
- Direct access to payment systems rather than access borrowed through a correspondent
- Lower risk of sudden account closures when a correspondent relationship ends
- Reliable international transfers, cards and multi currency services
- Balance sheets and supervision that match the size of the assets they hold
How it works
Four steps to an account opening
- 01
Brief call
A confidential conversation about your residence, activity and goals.
- 02
Document review
We review what you have and identify what a bank will ask for.
- 03
Assessment and outlook
You receive our view on feasibility, timing and the right banks.
- 04
Introduction and onboarding
We introduce your prepared file and support you through onboarding.
Frequently asked questions
Can a non-resident open a Swiss bank account?
Yes, many Swiss banks accept non-resident clients, but criteria vary widely by bank, country of residence and profile. Our assessment tells you which banks are realistic for your situation.
How long does an account opening take?
It depends on the bank and the complexity of your file. A well prepared case moves considerably faster. We give you a realistic range as part of our assessment.
Is there a minimum deposit?
Most private banks set minimum relationship sizes, and these differ from bank to bank. We discuss the relevant thresholds for your shortlist during the assessment.
What does Tier 1 mean?
We use the term for large, well capitalised and directly supervised banks with their own access to international payment systems, as opposed to smaller banks that rely on a correspondent bank.
Do you guarantee approval?
No. The final decision always rests with the bank. Our role is to assess feasibility candidly, prepare your file and introduce it to banks where it has a genuine chance.
Which countries do you cover?
Switzerland first, and Tier 1 banks in other leading financial centres such as Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
Can you help with a corporate account?
Yes. We support accounts for operating companies and holding structures, including companies acquired in Switzerland through our M&A mandates.
Ready to hold your wealth in two of the world's strongest currencies?
Book a discovery meeting. We respond within one business day.
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