01
Licensed infrastructure
A bank or securities firm should be selected from institutions holding the relevant FINMA authorisation; access to private banking, corporate accounts, custody, treasury and trade finance depends on the institution's client segment
02
KYC and origin of wealth
The bank examines owners and controllers, tax residence, source of wealth and funds, the history of capital, countries and purpose of transactions, sanctions risk and the client's connection with Switzerland
An account is opened for a coherent profile, not a jurisdiction name. The bank examines owners and controllers, tax residence, source of wealth and funds, the history of capital, countries and purpose of transactions, sanctions risk and the client's connection with Switzerland.
03
Company and private client
An AG or GmbH must be capable of representation by at least one person resident in Switzerland; the tax and banking analysis also tests actual functions, management, premises, people and expenditure. Federal profit tax is supplemented by cantonal and municipal tax; the effective burden depends on the exact location, functions, capital and available cantonal measures.
04
Trusts and foundations
International private-wealth planning may use Swiss companies, qualifying charitable or other foundations, recognised foreign trusts, insurance and investment solutions, family governance and contractual arrangements. Switzerland recognises foreign trusts under the Hague Trust Convention, but that does not make a trust a Swiss legal entity; a commercial trustee requires FINMA authorisation. A Swiss foundation should not be marketed as a universal substitute for a private family foundation.
05
After opening
Individuals face federal, cantonal and municipal income tax, while cantons also levy net wealth tax; the result depends on municipality, family circumstances, status and asset mix. The standard VAT rate is 8.1%; the registration threshold, imports, exports, financial exemptions and input-tax recovery require separate analysis.
FAQ
FAQ
Where should a bank accounts and private banking project in Switzerland start?
A bank or securities firm should be selected from institutions holding the relevant FINMA authorisation; access to private banking, corporate accounts, custody, treasury and trade finance depends on the institution's client segment
Can formation or account opening be guaranteed?
This material is general information. Formation, licensing, tax outcomes and account opening depend on the facts and the decision of the competent authority or financial institution.
Why are tax and banking reviewed together?
Federal profit tax is supplemented by cantonal and municipal tax; the effective burden depends on the exact location, functions, capital and available cantonal measures. The bank examines owners and controllers, tax residence, source of wealth and funds, the history of capital, countries and purpose of transactions, sanctions risk and the client's connection with Switzerland.
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Related routes
- Company formation
- Open primary source
- Private wealth: foundations and trusts
- Open primary source
- Tax strategy
- Open primary source
- Choosing a Swiss canton for a company
- Open primary source
- Relevant practice
- Open primary source