Posts

Credit Suisse CSX - referral code AB2777

Image
Credit Suisse CSX Credit Suisse launched the CSX product in what seems to be an attempt to catch up with the Neobanks (Neon / Yuh / Zak). A quick review on its strengths. Strengths efficient onboarding process  (scan of passport in the app is sufficient, no bank activation transfer was required in my case) cheapest product CSX White is free of monthly fees a big bank, now backed by UBS Weaknesses rather complicated app with seemingly many different screens cash withdrawals in the free product are chargeable at 2 CHF or 3.50 EUR per transaction no cash interest on the bank account (only the savings account pays up to 1.5%) Other minor points to note some discounts for ZFF, Credit Suisse Super League, Blue streaming discount, cinema languages: German/French/Italian/English Overall it is a decent banking product to get started with, but the other Neobanks seem to have a more convincing cost effective product. I personally do not like the idea of paying a monthly basis fee so I would ...

finpension - referral code 97YXZV

Image
  finpension Frankly is an independent 3a pension plan, allowing you to customise and invest in a broad set of funds. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths efficient onboarding process, no ID checks necessary, signup can be done in a few moments from the web easy choice of investment focus out of Credit Suisse, ZKB, UBS a scale of 5 different stock allocations, from 20% to 100% (actually 99% with 1% cash) a focus on Switzerland, Global or Sustainable but customising the asset distribution is also possible, including real estate, gold, crypto (with a 5% allocation) low fee of 0.39% simple and effective app Weaknesses none Other minor points to note languages: German/French/English Overall it is a great and well rounded 3a product. Compared to Frankly, it offers more customisation, which may also make the look and feel more complicated. It is best combined with a regular (such as monthly) payment (standing order), resulting in dollar cost averaging. Referral code  / Gutsche...

Zak - referral code 969HGC

Image
  Zak Zak is a Neobank with a distinctive branding and appeal, featuring a bearded character. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths online onboarding process (in my case, several attempts were needed, passport and card scan in the app,and bank activation transfer from another account in same name is required) free of monthly fees for the Zak  product (and 8 CHF / month for the Zak plus product) cash withdrawals at CLER ATMs are free, other ATMs 2 CHF per withdrawal free bank transfers within Switzerland in CHF bank transfers in EUR in the SEPA area are also possible (but you have to pay FX conversion fee) up to 1.3% interest on CHF deposits simple and effective app. Push notifications can be set up based on event type Weaknesses no PC login, only smartphone no native TWINT app (yet?) Other minor points to note languages: German/French/Italian (no English) Zak savings - now offering up to 1.3% Zak frequently run certain Zaktion deals on their app, where you get vouchers ...

Neon - referral code 0Y86SH

Image
  Neon Neon is a Neobank with a distinctive branding and appeal. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths efficient onboarding process (scan of passport in the app is sufficient, bank activation transfer from another account is required, but this account did not have to be in the same time) free of monthly fees for the neon free product (8 CHF for neon green - 15 CHF for neon metal) 2 cash withdrawal per month are free (after that 2 CHF) free bank transfers within Switzerland in CHF 0.9% interest up to 25000 CHF and 0.65% above that simple and effective app basic investment capability Weaknesses no PC login, only smartphone investments don't have much reach beyond ETFs and may be seen as a little expensive. The fee is at least 0.5% but a bit higher for smaller amounts. Other minor points to note languages: German/French/Italian/English I have been using Neon since late 2023 and feel it is a decent Neobank that can be used as a branch bank replacement. However, to me it feels Yuh ...

Yuh - Banking Winner - referral code i3hew0

Image
  Yuh - Banking Winner Yuh is not the first Neobank as it competes with and was inspired by earlier market entrants Neon, Zak and Yapeal. It is backed by Swissquote and PostFinance. It comes with a very fresh look and feel. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths efficient onboarding process (scan of passport in the app is sufficient, note that bank activation transfer from another account in the same name is required) built in multi currency support from the outset. If you make a payment and there is a balance available in that currency, it will be used free of charge. Only if no balance in that currency is available, will it exchange from another currency. Yuh is a Swiss bank but it can also be opened for residents of the bordering countries (France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Liechtenstein) free of monthly fees 1 cash withdrawal per week is free (after that 1.90 CHF) free bank transfers within Switzerland in CHF as well as major currencies free EUR transfers within Europe 1...

Kasparund - referral code 4N6g13

Image
   Kasparund Kasparund (Kaspar&) is a bank / 3a pension plan startup spinoff from ETH, it promises a fresh concept of investment by rounding up. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths efficient onboarding process (note that activation payment from another bank is required) no monthly fees for the banking part simple and effective concept, investment by rounding up payments ( Aufrunden ), for example if you pay 0.50 CHF for a car park, you may round up to 1 CHF and set aside the remainder of 0.50 CHF for investments. Weaknesses bank transfers are only possible to a designated bank account overall management fee of 0.85% may be seen as high Other minor points to note languages: German the ampersand in Kasparund (Kaspar&) is for including the customer! They put your name next to theirs on the card, which is a unique idea. Overall it is a compelling idea as it encourages investment of small amounts. Referral code  / Gutscheincode 4N6g13 This will get you a 10 CHF ...

Frankly - referral code refab75db

Image
  Frankly Frankly is a 3a pension plan backed by ZKB. It comes with a very fresh look and feel. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths efficient onboarding process easy choice of investment product out of sustainable, responsible, passive and then a scale of 5 different strategies each  low all-in-fee of currently 0.44% - just reduced from 0.45%, update January 2024 simple and effective app Weaknesses none Other minor points to note as the total assets under management gets larger, Frankly wants to pass on savings and reduce their fees. the next milestone was communicated at 2.5bn and a resulting 0.44% fee was achieved, January 2024 languages: German/French/English Overall it is a great and well rounded 3a product. To me personally it is one of the most straightforward solutions for the 3a market. It is best combined with a regular (such as monthly) payment (standing order), resulting in dollar cost averaging: Referral code  / Gutscheincode refab75db This will yield ...

iWay - referral code ce8fa8nu1

Image
  iWay iWay is a great internet provider for new arrivals in Switzerland, as it offers a free trial program and doesnt charge an activation fee. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths no activation fee a month free trial program - you can return the equipment during the trial a reasonable 39 CHF for 100 Mbit/s up/downstream great support - at some point, I was moving and my signal quality reduced. iWay support was helpful in pinpointing wifi collisions and adjusting frequencies and bands Weaknesses 1 year minimum contract duration (after the trial month). Given that many companies have even longer minimum durations this is okay. Other minor points to note languages: German I have been using iWay since mid 2022 and feel very confident in recommending it. I moved with them once across town and service was quickly moved with that. Referral code  / Gutscheincode ce8fa8nu1 This will get you an additional 50 CHF discount. Sign-up from: www.iway.ch

Radicant - referral code 22c2d7

  Radicant - Banking and Investments Radicant is another startup aiming at the combined banking/investment space. It comes with a very fresh look and feel and aims at providing access to green and sustainable opportunities by investment mandate. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths free of monthly fees for the base banking product 1 cash withdrawal per week is free (after that 1.90 CHF) free bank transfers within Switzerland in CHF BLKB funded startup 1.5% interest on CHF deposits up to 250000 CHF. This is one of the highest a regular bank account, (not a savings account), will net. simple and effective app Weaknesses no PC login, only smartphone investment management fees may be seen as a little expensive (up to 0.9%) but investment before Jan 31 2024 gets you early bird treatment at half the management fee not a full banking product yet, compared to the likes of Yuh (which comes with FX included and more payment options) Other minor points to note languages: German/English...

Snowtrex

  Snowtrex Snowtrex is a great website for ski / winter package deals. A quick review on its strengths. Strengths Easy to find deals where lift tickets are included. Getting this as part of the package deal usually saves you significant part of the budget and possibly queuing time Available hotels all across the Alps in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, France (and others) Weaknesses Location search takes some getting used to Other minor points to note languages: English, German, French, others I had a great ski family holiday with them in Grindelwald. Getting a deal with the pass and meals included was very easy and gave me the peace of mind I needed! Referral code  / Gutscheincode / Sign up Link / Empfehlungslink Skiferien - Skiurlaub - Winterurlaub inkl. Skipass (snowtrex.ch) This will get you 60 CHF discount on your first booking. Sign-up from:  Skiferien - Skiurlaub - Winterurlaub inkl. Skipass (snowtrex.ch)