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UBS Experience 2024 - Is the bank worth it?

UBS is by far the largest bank in Switzerland. You probably know several people who once had or still have an account there.

But is UBS really worthwhile for a private account today? And how does it compare with other banking solutions? 

You can find out in the UBS experience report.

Table of contents

UBS account at a glance

You can open a savings or private account with UBS. Combination packages are often offered. You will only need a private account for your salary and expenses.

There are different types of private accounts available, depending on your age and type of work. However, the functions are the same or very similar, differing only in the Fees.

In principle, you will always receive a personal account E-banking access and a Debit card. This allows you to carry out your banking transactions completely electronically and also in the UBS app.

Due to a special offer New customers receive the account free of charge for the first 6 months use. It remains to be seen whether this will be permanent.

UBS costs and fees for a UBS private account

At UBS, you receive different conditions depending on your age. So you can up to 25 years free of charge have an account. The UBS account fees for a private account are as follows CHF 8 per month.

However, UBS also offers different gradations. Basically, it distinguishes between "Standard" and "Traditional". With Standard you will receive all bank-related Digital documents, at Traditional further on Paper. Here is an overview:

Account typeStandard fee (per month)Traditional (per month)
Students up to 30 yearsFree of chargeCHF 5
Career starter (22-32 years, 2 years)CHF 4CHF 8
Individuals aged 24 and overCHF 13 (or CHF 8 for >CHF 10,000 assets)CHF 18 (or CHF 13 for >CHF 10,000 assets)
Families and couples aged 20 and overCHF 25 (or CHF 15 for >CHF 10,000 assets)CHF 30 (or CHF 20 for >CHF 10,000 assets)
Cross-border commuters aged 18 and overCHF 10CHF 15

Fee model explained:

  • Standard: Digital documents
  • Traditional: Documents in paper form

There are more favourable conditions for assets of over CHF 10,000.

Cash withdrawals at UBS and Credit Suisse ATMs and Debit cards are always free of charge.

No guarantee of up-to-dateness here you can find the details at UBS.

UBS exchange rate fees

Using your UBS card to pay in foreign currencies can be very expensive, as UBS exchange rate fees are very high:

Exchange rate fees in GermanyExchange rate fees abroad
0.35% to 0.6%0.3% to 2.1%

No guarantee of up-to-dateness here you can find the details at UBS.

Financial Insider 2024

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Most important functions of the UBS Private Account

UBS stands for tradition. That's why this bank stands out personal contact stand out. With a private account at UBS, you can reach support not only electronically, but also by phone. Bank advisor in a branch visit.

Nevertheless, the big bank is of course also moving with the times. Today, (almost) everything can be done electronically via e-banking. If you prefer documents on paper, this is also possible for an additional charge.

Of course, you can also link your account to TWINT (UBS TWINT APP) and pay conveniently with your mobile phone.

Another feature that stands out positively in the UBS review is the UBS KeyClub. You can collect points if you use your account and debit card regularly. In return, you receive a cashback and can redeem this as a voucher with various partners.

UBS experience account app review ubs costs and ubs fees in detail
The start page of the UBS app is very tidy and clearly organised.
UBS Review with ubs experiences in the test report of the ubs experience report
Overall, UBS has a very good e-banking system that regularly wins awards.

Advantages and disadvantages of a UBS account

Here is an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of a UBS account.

Advantages:

  • Traditional bank with many branches
  • Good and secure e-banking
  • Support in all national languages and English
  • Switzerland's largest bank with a high level of security.
  • Comprehensive service from mortgages, UBS corporate account, to investments.
  • Well suited for cross-border commuters and foreigners.
 

Disadvantages:

  • UBS fees are rather expensive compared to neo-banks
  • High or expensive: UBS fees abroad
  • Somewhat opaque fee model
  • Not quite as modern as digital banks. Functions such as savings pots are missing.

The best alternatives

If personal advice in a bank branch is not so important to you, then you may be better off with more favourable providers better served. Because many Digital banks offer an excellent range today, but at significantly better conditions.

These are some of the favourites of the Schwiizerfranke community (in alphabetical order):

Neon bench

  • Free account management and debit card
  • Free cash withdrawals at all Swiss ATMs (limited to the number of withdrawals per month)
  • New savings pots, investments and partner account available

Take a look at the Neon Bank experience in detail.

Yuh

  • Free account management and debit card
  • Pillar 3a account integrated
  • ETF investing integrated at favourable conditions

At Yuh App experience report you can find out more.

Zak

  • Free account management and debit card
  • Attractive interest rates on the Zak savings account
  • Practical sub-account function to categorise assets and expenses.

Read the Zak Bank Cler Field Report for more information.

Our financial tips 2024

"Intelligent people learn from the mistakes of others".

We have compiled our top selection for you from all our tests and experience reports:

Conclusion on the UBS experience

Overall, the UBS a really good solution with a wide range of products to. The e-banking system is clearly structured and generally works perfectly. Personal consultations are possible at any time in one of the many branches.

If you search online for UBS experiences, you will find, for example at Trustpilotwhere UBS was rated "unsatisfactory" or 1.2/5 stars. will. However, you should bear in mind that negative opinions are usually expressed particularly "loudly" on the Internet. However, the source of the criticism is probably the UBS fees and costs.

In our experience, a private account with UBS is particularly worthwhile if you want to keep the Personal contact is important and you are prepared to pay higher fees for it.

However, if favourable conditions are more important to you than lots of branches, a digital bank is probably better suited to you. Here you will find some Digital banks in comparison, which Free account management and debit card offer

FAQ

UBS is the largest bank in Switzerland and has been in existence for over 160 years. (In 2008, it speculated and had to be rescued by the federal government with billions of taxpayers' money). However, it has established itself as a strong national and international bank.
Whether it's right for you depends on your needs. While it still offers numerous bank branches and is therefore available to you in person, this is reflected in the costs. Digital-only banks are significantly cheaper.

UBS Bank offers deposit protection for CHF 100,000, as does every Swiss bank. So if it were to go bankrupt, your assets would be protected up to CHF 100,000.

It is not necessarily clear whether it is the safest Swiss bank. Especially as it has been too big for many since the merger with CS and is in political danger of being split up again.

You can do this directly in your e-banking account by sending a message to your client advisor and requesting the closure of your UBS account.

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