Hello Good People of english forum.

I am in a bit of a bind and need some advice. The issue is I have the opportunity to work at the bank for international settlements as a senior policy analyst. The problem is I have no idea about Basel nor salary expectations. I currently make between $160 and $175,000 in the US and wanted to know if anyone on this forum has any idea about salary ranges at B.I.S. or what its like working over there.

You will need double; 320K - 350K CHF for the same standard of living - think US$20 for a simple pizza, US$6 for a gallon of gas.....

I wish I could buy a gallon of gas in CH for $6

Ah, rewound my abacus - $8?

BIS pays tax free I believe. 150-200K is good.

BIS is indeed a good earner and you do somehow avoid tax AFAIK. Either the role or the tax exemption lasts for one or two years though....

thanks for your response! you are right i have been told that the salary will be tax free. I will have to pay US taxes though on the excess over the US exemption.

thanks!

Do you also get diplomatic immunity?

My bro' used to work there.

You get a tax-free salary and great benefits (generous allowances , non-contribuary pension fund compensation, great sports & social club etc...).

I think the senior managers get some sort of diplomatic perks (tax-free cars) but no diplomatic immunity.

It's tax free because it's not 'in' Switzerland. The buildings are, technically, in foreign territory.

As a consequence I've heard that some people face even more complicated issues about what permit is granted.

It's also run by the most evil people on the planet.. possibly lizards.. according to some sources

http://www.amazon.com/Tower-Basel-Sh.../dp/161039254X

If aliens ever come to this planet and say something like: "Nice rock ya got there, be a shame if anything happened to it" they would be making the BIS an offer they couldn´t refuse.

Actually, it is tax free because the employees of BIS have been exempted from direct taxes:
http://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classifie...018/index.html

I am quite excited about the prospect. My motivation for taking this assignment is to learn another language. German perhaps and experience living in Switzerland for 2 or 3 years. Hope the cost of living in Basel doesn't turn my excitement into shock, I hear it's not as exciting as the big apple as well. oh well still keeping my fingers crossed.....

You'll have access to this incredible restaurant for employees only-- we were brought there by friends who worked there-- can't remember the name but the good is fantastic and better prices than restaurants in the city. Lucky You!!!

salary is tax free and they also pay for your moving costs and international schooling if you have children (pretty decent amount). though compared to other swiss banks, i think total comp is lower - no bonus.

Hi,

I know this is a rather old topic, but I have a question.

I applied for a senior software position at the BIS, do you have any idea of what could be the salary range to ask?
Usually in Switzerland, in non banking companies, I can ask around 110-120k CHF.

Thanks!
Philipp

Hi Philip, is that as a contractor position?

thanks

Hi stolly,

It's a fixed 3 years contract

Ahh OK, I've been offered a contractor position there that I'm due to start in the next few weeks.