Hi,
I just started as a PhD in Zurich, and I need to get a bank account to receive my salary.
Since I do not know much about banking and that kind of stuff, I would like to get a tip from more informed people, if possible.

I was wondering which bank would give me the best option.
I don't need much, just an account, and a debit or credit card.

Since I do not know how much time it will get to have my ETH staff card registered as a student card, I don't know if I can apply to students offers like "Academica" in Credit Suisse, and that kind of stuff.

What is your suggestion, then?

Thank you very much guys, I do appreciate all the help you can give me.

As a PhD student, you count as a student in Switzerland (there will be an S on your ETH staff card). I recommend the UBS campus account, free for students, includes a free museumspass ( http://hosting.museumspass.ch/tribon...page/main.html ) .

Get a letter from your department secretary stating that you are here as a PhD student. (Make sure that the letter refers to your status as a student, not an employee.)

Go to the bank, show them the letter, explain that you are waiting for your Legi (student ID card) to be issued, ask for the student account offer. No guarantees but it worked for me four years ago.


Edit: just reread your post. So you've already got a card? If so, that will be your student card. As FrankS says, look for a big S in the middle of it.

There is a search function on this forum, this question or one very similar gets asked every couple of weeks.

Welcome to CH & the Forum.

Thanks to everyone for your replies.
I realize that I've not been much precise with my request, so maybe I should clarify it.

I do already have an ETHZ card, but it does not have the status of student (the big S on it) yet.
I have applied for being a student, but I fear the application will take some time.

Therefore, I think I have two possibilities:

1. banks treat me as a student even if I am not yet one, then I can get one of the very good bank accounts for students,
2. banks do not allow me to get a student bank account until I have officially received the actual status.

Which one of the two possibilities do you think is the one, and in case it is the second one, since I cannot wait too much time to get an account, can you please point me to a convenient solution?
I have seen that the account with the postfinance has good recommendations in other posts, is it still so?

Thank you again!