Hello EF!

I am living in zurich since almost two years, working legally holding B permit but never had the time to open a private bank account! I need some advice from you guys, I am looking for the cheapest option for a joint account or single (the best deal) with debit and credit card and good deals in money transactions to Central America countries.

Will appreciate your advice

C.

I can think of at least once where this has been answered! but anyhow how did you live here for two years without a bank account? not sure what you mean by private exactly as all personal accounts are referred to as private over here, with the laternatives being student, basic or simply current accounts.

Cantonal bank. In any case, as has been said many times, unless you have mega bucks they are all about the same, you save on a card with one but pay for something else.

The banks are just like supermarkets in competitoon with one another, the onyl differnec is they sell money, not pork chops !

Sorry my mistake, I mean personal, I'm 24 but I am working not studying (just German, but doesn't count right) I manage because my husband has his own account (student account) and he does the payments there. But I need one together or just mine because my employer is asking me to open one. Help!

Normally "student" accounts are for students and people under 26/27. (I have one and though I'm 25, I'm not a student.)

Hi flowerstar,

Where do you have your account?

Thank you!

UBS do a good package for couples and if you are new customers you have reduced fees. You get a maestro card, a personal current account, a savings account and can open up other types as well. It is also possible for you to have a joint account with your partner, (again with maestro card, and savings account). you can choose to have your correspondence in German, French, Italian or English.
Go to UBS and speak to them, they were very helpful.
I do know that Credit Suisse do something similiar as well.
Talking with the bank is actually a relaxing experience in Switzerland!

in that case any of the big banks CS or UBS or the kantonal banks will do...

from my experience CS have a basic account where they charge you CHF40 for a Maestro card every year, and small fees for transfers here and there. The account charges are CHF3.- per month and if your balance is greather than a certain amount it's free. They also have some of the bonviva packages which boasts a free Maestro card every year, 2 fee free credit cards (choice of Visa / Master card + AMEX) [silver package CHF15 a month]

Bonviva Packages (check out factsheet)

Private Account (check out factsheet)

Current Account (check out factsheet)

Don't ask me what the difference between a private and a current account is... The cheapest Bonviva [Silver] will set you back CHF150 a year, the rest will be a lot less, I think the Private account assuming you only pay CHF3.- a month and CHF40.- for the maestro and not much transaction fees then you will pay between CHF80.- and CHF90.- a year [excluding credit cards which you could get elsewhere for free]

hope that helps

Postfinance onlineset

http://www.postfinance.ch/pf/content...er/online.html

Features

Online Set: do everything online

• Private account in CHF or EUR
• E-finance: complete your financial transactions online
• PostFinance Card Direct: cashless purchases throughout Switzerland, withdraw cash worldwide
• Unlimited number of electronic payment transactions and standing orders via e-finance
• Can be managed as individual or partner account
• 0.125% (CHF) or 0.500% (EUR) interest on your private account

Make use of further set options if required

• E-Deposito account/Deposito account: set money aside at an excellent interest rate
• 1.250% (CHF) or 1.500% (EUR) interest on your e-Deposito account
• 0.750% (CHF) or 1.000% (EUR) interest on your Deposito account

Prices and conditions

Set price
Set assets up to CHF 7,500 CHF 3 per month
Set assets as of CHF 7,500 Free of charge

Electronic orders
Payment order Free of charge
Standing order Free of charge

CardsPost
Finance Card Direct Free of charge
Deposito card (only Deposito account) Free of charge