Had to smile when I read this; HSBC the bank who have just admitted losing data on 24'000 accounts; sold to the French/German authorities it seems; a failed sale to the Lebanese (who turn out to be more honest than the French/Germans, what a world we live in) and ...

UBS also a bank in and out the news a lot; a bank seriously in trouble, with a deep involvement in the financial crisis that gave the world a cold in 2009, and a real hiring freeze in the same year, lasting more then six months; although everybody admits unsinkable given it is backed by the Swiss government... it seems.

UBS also releasing details of clients to the US recently; forced into a corner by the US government; a battle they won to an extent; the US wanted 42'000, they got only 10% of that, but...

That said in fairness to UBS been using their online banking online banking for some years; no complaints. Been with them more then 10 years, current bank manager very good.

Money transfers: http://www.hifx.co.uk/ have been around for some years and I hear do some good deals; better than the banks. Might make sense to agree a deal/fix a currency rate now with the UK pound at an all time low; and a good time to buy pounds. Depends really if you think six months will become a year, 18 months etc etc.

http://www.postfinance.ch/ excellent if your local but unsure where they stand internationally really. Also got online banking with them; no compaints so far either; although only just switched some of my accounts from UBS.

Has any mentioned Credit Suisse? Other big bank here, also a global player, but relatively unaffected by by data losses; dodgy investments; and bad press really...