I have a UBS account at the CERN branch, but they said I can only withdraw cash from the ATM's here. I don't yet have my card but was wondering if it is possible to purchase goods online with this.

Also is it easy to transfer money to a UK account from time to time, and if so how long is it likely to take?

Thanks,
Tom

It sounds like they give you just an ATM card so no. Nothing online.

3 days and potentially 25 francs to ship stuff to the UK. You will need to know the IBAN for the receiving account.

Probably and accurate if not very proactive answer from your bank. It sounds like you have just got the basic bank account card, this only quotes your account number, it will not have a chip on it I guess. You need to apply for an EC card, it costs about 50chf a year I think from UBS, this you can use for cash from any UBS cashpoint and pay for purchases almost anywhere in CH. You probably need a credit card to make online purchases. Daniel

I think you have to wait for 2 (perhaps 3) months before they will give you a maestro style card. At least thats how it was when I was a techincal student at CERN (2002/3).

Not sure if they will let you have a credit card though. I remember asking about it and they had some policy of not issuing them to technical students because they dont earn enough :-(

I thought it was 10 CHF all-inclusive?

They gave me the EC card right from the start, I don't pay any extra for it. For online I also got a credit card from them. You get free banking for a year but after that you have to keep 10,000 chf in the bank to avoid bank charges.

I've done the international transfer from UK to here once before, cost me £20 but was very quick.

You can also use it to withdraw cash from any EC/Maestro compatible ATM in Switzerland or worldwide, I believe. But using EC at a non-UBS ATM costs more in transaction charges.

I think that within switzerland, your allowed a set number of withdrawals from other banks with no charge. I think it's around 5-7 a month. Thereafter you pay a nominal fee.

Nope, UBS charge for each one.
Unless you have 10k assets or a mortgage with them.

I stand corrected.

I've been meaning to ask about the 10,000chf in assets, can it be spread among the accounts (current and saving in my case)? and does my rental deposit also count (also held by UBS and listed in my accounts online)?

Yes.
I have a personal, savings and "Säule 3a" account with them, they all count towards the 10'000.
Not sure about that one.

The ATM only card - I was given one of these when I first came the Switzerland on an L permit and was not allowed to apply for a Maestro card until I progressed to a B permit. To make some payments to the UL, you can still go to the bank and use a multimat to make transfers to other banks (if you have the IBAN and SWIFT codes). It is a real paini being tied to UBS branches but that seems to be the "way it is".

Yes, so long it's in one of your accounts, it counts.

For those with ATM cards, no maestro just walk in an ask for one. If they say no, just ask to close your account, you'll take your money elsewhere.

For those with say 10K in your account and no credit card, or those with a decent salary and no credit card, do the same, just phone up or walk in and say that because they don't give you these conveniences you would like to close your account and take your money to another bank. Believe me, you will have application forms for everything in the post the next day.

I did it.

They gave me the EC card when I .opened the account, but refused me the credit card till I got my permit.

Thinking about it, when I openend the account I gave them a letter from my new employers stating that I did indeed have a job, stated my wage and gave a referee. If you're still waiting for a permit, this sort of letter is very useful.