I've been here for just over a year and am with PostFinance - I want to move to a bigger banking solution due to international travel and also I would like to set up an account in $ as I do a bit of business in USD via Paypal

Is there any specific bank you would recommend? Is UBS the best option or Credit Suisse another good one for what I need?

Thanks

which is the problem using postfinance?

Yes. (Seriously, they are 99% the same. The remaining one percent is the corporate color)

Is that the question I posed? Stay on track please

I think that was on track. To understand what you find as a shortcoming for PF would help with a recommendation.

Ah, I see now as I look up. Good luck with your search.

coin flip really...

unless there is a specific need, both banks will more than fulfil your needs...

I can vouch for CS but can't say anything bad about UBS neither...

I don't know why you had to groan someone who tried to advice you of a 3rd option that you might have not considered, he / she was trying to be helpful but i find your reply and attitude is pretty aggressive....if you don't like his option then you just can ignore it.

Answering your question, both banks will do, all depends on your need.

only ever had problems with UBS and after I complained the branch manager told me he no longer wanted me as a customer. Don't know about CS, I would try to stick with post finance if you can, maybe they offer USD accounts. (please don't groan at me i'm just trying to help).

Really? A branch manager told you he didn't want you as a customer? lol - that's extreme

You must've bugged them really badly or something - what kind of problems you had because it's easy to blame a branch manager but a branch manager wouldn't say they don't want you as a customer just to be mean or for fun - there would be a reason

It's far simpler than you think, it all depends whether yopu prefer red or blue : If your preference is more red go to UBS and if it ois blue go to CS.

They are both the same, have an equal number of stropy branch managers and the same costs if you look at it on a annual basis.

Could you tell us the story?

I've been with UBS since I arrived and I've found it all works out to my satisfaction. The service is far better than at a UK bank, but that's a low hurdle. In terms of international usage, I was able to get a Visa card straight away, which is valuable as you can't use Swiss Maestro debit cards abroad. Their international transfer fees are reasonable too.

HollisterB - It might help people with their recommendations if we have an idea of what services you're looking to use.

My UBS Maestro debit card works fine outside Switzerland. And I thought the fees for ATM withdrawals were rather reasonable.

Both are acting cautiously with regards to US nationals opening USD accounts. The regulations with regards to US people is now incredibly strict - and neither institution wants to come under scrutiny.

However, both banks offer USD account, both charge fees, and both offer a full range of additional products.

HOWEVER, if you are US citizen, and you maintain a US onshore account, and with the USD trading as low as it is - you may well find youself no worse off to do a reasonable sized transfer and fund PAYPAL from your US account.

I use my Swiss Maestro Cards everywhere. In about 5% of the cases, typically gas stations in rural areas of France and Germany do they not work. I guess it is a matter of the payment provider - maybe it is cheaper to only accept EU cards vs. "global"? Everywhere else they worked fine and are far cheaper to use than credit cards.

French fuel stations used to be a blackspot for UK cards - but I have never had any problems with the Swiss ones.

UBS and CS seem to be fairly similar and I was going to suggest tossing a coin, but seriously I think the best way to decide is to check out the nearest branches of each bank to you. I know most stuff is done centrally and that with online banking one scarcely needs to go to an actual bank. However it is often quite useful to have some kind of personal contact to the people who are dealing with your particular accounts. You might find that you get on better with one local manager than the other.

I suppose they have better money laundering detection system

Ah yes . . . ATM's ok everywhere. I think the problem with Maestro might just be in the UK.

I've been with UBS since I arrived (18 months) and have never had an issue with them. Found my banker very helpful in setting up a USD account and it was completely painless and straight forward.

That being said - i doubt it would have been any different with CS - both banks are the same with regards to run of the mill international banking, imho.

My somebody has an attitude problem!