Updated July 28, 2023
Overview of Banks in Switzerland
The banking sector in Switzerland differs by a large with regard to its size, business focus, geography, and legal form. Swiss National Bank is the Central Bank of Switzerland and forms the country’s monetary policy as an independent central bank. A primary goal of SNB is price stability and creating an appropriate environment for economic growth. The banks in Switzerland make a significant contribution to the success of the Swiss financial center. After the financial crisis in 2008/09, Switzerland changed its financial regulations.
The Swiss financial market supervisory Authority (FINMA) is the responsible body for banking regulations and the supervisory authority for the bank, securities dealers, and other financial institutions. The main role of FIMAS is to protect investors and the interest of creditors and policyholders and ensure the proper functioning of financial markets. The top two banks in Switzerland account for over 50% of the banking sector’s total assets and deposits. A stable rating by Moody’s on the Swiss banking system helps a resilient economy and increases household wealth. SNB divides the banking system in Switzerland into a big banks, cantonal banks, regional and saving banks, Raiffeisen banks, other banks (including stock exchange banks, other banking institutions, and foreign-controlled banks), branches of foreign banks, and private bankers.
Top 10 Banks in Switzerland
Here is a list of the top 10 Banks in Switzerland, which are as follows:
1. UBS Group AG
UBS is a leading company in Switzerland, in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in more than 50 countries, with 36% of its employees working in Switzerland, and it employs about 60,000 people worldwide. UBS provides services to private institutional, corporate, and retail clients in Switzerland with superior financial advice and solutions. In Switzerland, UBS operates through 280 branches and 4,500 client-facing staff. The bank reaches 80% of the Swiss wealth and serves one in three households. It is the only country where UBS country maintains its leading position in all five business areas: wealth management, corporate and institutional banking, retail, assets management, and investment bank services. The bank’s net profit to shareholders for 2018 was 4.897 billion dollars 2018 compared to its 2017 figure of 969 million dollars. The bank posted a Profit of 690 Million US dollars during Q4 2018, which is short of expectations.
2. Credit Suisse Group AG
Credit Suisse Bank was founded in 1856, and today the bank has a global reach with operations in more than 50 countries and 46,840 employees from over 170 different nations. The bank serves through three regionally-focused divisions to its clients: International wealth management, Swiss universal bank, and Asia Pacific. Again this division is supported by two subdivisions: global markets and investment banking and capital markets. Group posted an annual income of CHF 3.4 billion, Up 90 % against 2017, and a net income to shareholders of CHF 2.1 billion for 2018. A group is one of the most important groups in the world on which international financial stability depends.
3. Julius Baer
It is a multinational, oldest, and largest private bank founded in 1890. The bank offers services of wealth management, Investment solution, and assets management to Its private and institutional investors; it also provides services related to Securities and foreign exchange trading, loans, mortgage, and other services. Net profit to shareholders grew by 4% to CHF 735 million and earnings per share by 4% to CHF 3.37 during the full year of 2018, and the adjusted net profit of the group increased slightly to CHF 810 Million. The asset is under management CHF 382 billion, 2% lower than the previous year. Julius Baer Bank ended 2018 with stable growth and net new money growth.
4. Raiffeisen Switzerland
Raiffeisen is the third-largest bank in the Swiss banking sector and the leading Swiss retail bank. The bank has 1.9 million cooperative members and 3.8 million clients and operates through 896 locations throughout Switzerland. As of June 2018, assets under management with the bank were CHF 211 billion and CHF 185 billion in loans to clients. The bank’s operating profit during the first half of 2018 was CHF 416 million. The market share in the mortgage business is about 17.6%, and it provides a wide range of products and services through its group of companies, joint venture, and enterprise.
5. Zurich Cantonal Bank
The bank was founded in 1870 as the bank of the citizen of Zurich. Bank offers a comprehensive range of products and services, and it’s a counterweight to major banks and private banks. Net Profit rose to CHF 788 Million in 2018, 1 % higher than the previous year. Operating profit grows by 14% to CHF 892 Million. Bank offers services in private banking, commercial banking, and assets management. The Bank has a total asset of CHF 164 billion and more than 5,000 employees working in the bank, and it operates through more than 80 branches in Switzerland.
6. Banque Cantonale de Genève (BCGE)
It is a regional bank founded in 1816 and offers a comprehensive range of products and services for retail and corporate customers. It provides services like deposit products, personal and mortgage loans, debit and credit cards, assets management, private banking, etc. Bank posted excellent results in 2018, with operating income reached CHF 161.3 Million, an increase of 25.7%, and net profit is CHF 91.2 million. Bank operates with 21 branches and 124 ATMs, employing nearly 800 people. The bank is rated as stable by top rating agencies.
7. EFG International
The bank was established in 1995 by two entrepreneurs, and they have a wealth of experience in Swiss private banking. It is one of the largest Swiss banks and provides all services in private banking to individuals and institutions. Assets under management with the bank are CHF 142.7 billion, and net profit is CHF 129.2 Million during the first half of 2018. It has 8 branches in Switzerland and its new bank compared to other top banks in Switzerland.
8. Basler Kantonalbank
It is a Swiss regional bank founded in 1899 and offers services like deposit, mortgage, and other loans, portfolio management, foreign currency trading, etc. The bank mainly operates in the North West region of Switzerland through a network of numerous branches. The net income of the bank is about CHF 114.81 Million. The bank is part of 24 cantonal banks serving 26 cantons of Switzerland.
9. Migros Bank AG
Migros Bank was founded in 1958, and today Migros Bank is one of the leading banks in Switzerland with over 800,000 customers. It has 67 branches in Switzerland and around 200 ATMs. Bank offers savings accounts and mortgages, credit and investment services, financial services, e-banking services, etc. Mortgage volume was up 4.3% in 2018, and the bank’s income rose by 3.5% and profit by 2.3% to CHF 228 Million. Micros Bank continued its growth in 2018.
10. Bank J. Safra Sarasin
It is a Swiss private bank founded in 1841, and the bank offers a high level of services and expertise to private and institutional investors. In 2019 the bank won the world’s best private bank for social responsibility award. The bank reported CHF 315.3 Million in net profit in 2017, 25% higher than the previous year. The bank employs around 2000 people, and its branches are in more than 25 locations worldwide. Bank operates through five segments Private Banking, Trading and family segment, Asset management, product and sales management, and corporate center segment.
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to Banks in Switzerland. Here we have discussed the 10 Topmost banks in Switzerland with their financial structure. You may also look at the following articles:
