BLKB iQ Responsible Equity Switzerland B ranks #29 among 122 3a investment funds in Switzerland. It's a pure Swiss equity play: 100% invested in Switzerland's listed companies with ESG screening. If you believe in the Swiss economy and want your retirement savings concentrated in familiar names, this is the most focused way to do it.
How Does the Return Stack Up?
Three-year return: +35.71%. Five-year return: +28.41%. For a Switzerland-only fund, these are respectable numbers, though they trail global funds significantly. BLKB's sister fund (World ex Switzerland) returned +51.80% over five years. The Swiss market simply hasn't kept pace with global growth.
The 0.34% TER is reasonable for a single-country equity fund. No flat fee on top means your total cost is just 0.34%, which is actually cheaper than VIAC or frankly. But lower fees only help if the returns are competitive.
What Actually Stands Out
Zero currency risk. Everything is in Swiss francs. Your retirement savings aren't affected by dollar or euro fluctuations. For risk-averse investors who still want equity growth, this eliminates one entire category of volatility.
CHF 561 million in assets shows serious institutional confidence. The BLKB cantonal bank backing provides state-guaranteed stability. The ESG screening applies Swiss sustainability standards, excluding companies that don't meet environmental, social, and governance criteria while maintaining broad Swiss market coverage.
What Most Reviews Miss
Switzerland's stock market is heavily concentrated. Nestle, Roche, and Novartis alone represent roughly 50% of the Swiss Market Index. Your 3a isn't really diversified across hundreds of companies; it's a bet on three healthcare and food giants with some smaller companies on the side.
If you already work in Switzerland, earn in CHF, own Swiss real estate, and have your second pillar invested domestically, adding a Swiss-only 3a fund concentrates your entire financial life in one country. Global diversification exists precisely to avoid this kind of single-country risk.
The Bottom Line
A solid choice if you deliberately want Swiss market exposure without currency risk. The low TER and cantonal bank backing are genuine advantages. But for most investors, global diversification provides better long-term risk-adjusted returns. See the full comparison in our best 3a investment funds in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: Best for investors who specifically want pure Swiss equity exposure and accept the concentration risk that comes with it.
