Experience with ZKB?

Finance, Taxes, Banking, Insurance and Retirement
1

ZKB is now offering a free basic banking account https://www.zkb.ch/de/private/konten…vergleich.html . As far as I know, it’s the only cantonal bank that offers this.

I’m thinking of moving my main account there from CS (or now UBS-CS). I’m not a sophisticated client. I use:

  • private CHF account with a debit card
  • standing orders
  • QR invoice and CHF payments
  • occasional ATM withdrawals in Switzerland

is more or less all I need. I’m not a US person or PEP.

For occasional payments in other currencies/EUR account I use Wise.

I called the ZKB general number and it seems that customer support is available in English and documents can be sent in English too. I’m not sure if eBanking itself has an English UI, but in worst case I can navigate a German UI.

Can any existing ZKB customers here chime in with their experiences? I know it’s going to be anecdotal, but still…

So far the only small downside I see is that I have to go to Zurich branch to finalize opening of an account (I don’t live in canton ZH anymore). However, I imagine almost everything else can be done remotely?

2
  1. e-banking is available in English.
  2. Big plus is a full state depositor protection guarantee https://www.moneyland.ch/en/cantonal-bank-definition
3
Used ZKB for many years with no problems, online is today much better than at the beginning

4
using it, no problems. There's a branch 5 mins from my home though plus a big one in ZH city.

Ebanking is fine but could be better imo. - e.g. I cannot upload a bill to be paid. Scanning bills has also limited options if you are using a desktop.