A contract of employment will get you a bank account. A maestro is one rung down the evolutionary level from a debit card, in other words you can't use it online. Banks like Corner Bank will give you a Visa Debit card for 50 CHF a year.

The Maestro still means you can use it online with some places, like some hotels in Europe etc etc, you're just restricted from sites like Amazon. You can still pay your bills, standing orders and so on are fine. Online banking still works as usual


They are quite happy to give you a bank account, whether it's UBS, Credit Suisse or the post office, they just don't like giving you
a credit card with an L permit, although I have heard of people getting them.

Hope this eases the anxiety. Not to worry, they want your money.