Our Take on BLKB iQ Responsible Equity World ex Switzerland B
+65.87% over five years. The highest absolute return of any 3a fund on our list.
BLKB iQ Responsible Equity World ex Switzerland B ranks #6 among 82 3a investment funds in Switzerland. This is a pure global equity play that deliberately excludes Swiss stocks. The result? Exposure to the world's biggest growth markets, and a five-year return that dwarfs nearly every competitor. But the 0.46% TER is notably higher than the digital-first providers.
Are the Fees Worth It?
The 0.46% TER is the full cost here, with no additional flat fee from BLKB. Compare that to VIAC's 0.41% total or frankly's 0.44%. You're paying slightly more, but the return differential is massive: +65.87% over five years versus +51.49% for VIAC Global 100. The higher return more than compensates for the modest fee premium.
The fund's passive index approach means you're not paying for active management. The 0.46% covers the ESG screening, index licensing, and fund administration. For what you get, it's a fair deal.
What Actually Stands Out
The "ex Switzerland" focus is the key differentiator. By excluding Swiss stocks, you get concentrated exposure to US tech giants, European industrials, and Asian growth companies. In the last five years, global markets (especially US tech) massively outperformed the Swiss market, which explains the return gap.
CHF 254 million in fund assets with ESG screening from BLKB (Basel-Landschaftliche Kantonalbank) provides cantonal bank credibility. As a state-guaranteed cantonal bank, BLKB carries AAA-level counterparty safety. The responsible investment criteria exclude controversial activities while maintaining broad diversification.
What Most Reviews Miss
Excluding Switzerland means zero exposure to Nestle, Roche, and Novartis, three of the world's most defensive stocks. In downturns, Swiss blue chips tend to hold up better than global markets. Your 3a fund won't benefit from that Swiss home bias safety net.
Currency risk is significant. When the Swiss franc strengthens against the dollar and euro (which happens regularly), your global holdings lose value in CHF terms. Over five years, currency movements can add or subtract 5-10% from your return. The strong recent performance partly reflects favorable currency trends.
The Bottom Line
If you want the highest-returning ESG equity fund for your 3a and you're comfortable with global-only exposure, BLKB's fund delivers. The cantonal bank backing adds safety. Just understand you're making a bet on global markets continuing to outperform Switzerland. Browse all options in our Pillar 3a reviews.
Verdict: The best pure global equity 3a fund for investors who want maximum international exposure with ESG criteria.
Pros
- Low total costs (0.46% p.a.)
- Strong 5-year performance (+65.9%)
- No custody fee
Cons
- High stock allocation = more volatility
- No swing pricing protection
Product Details
At a Glance
- 100% stocks allocation
- TER: 0.46%
- Passive/Index strategy
- No custody fee
Fund Details & Allocation
Fund Details & Allocation
Asset Allocation
Stocks
100%
Bonds
0%
Investment Strategy
Passively-managed fund
Fund Size
CHF 254M
Depositary Bank
UBS
Swing Pricing
No
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
TER
0.46%
Custody Fee
Free
Performance Over Time
Historical performance of this investment fund. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
1 Year
+8.3%
3 Years
+54.2%
5 Years
+65.9%
Retirement Projection
Based on max. contribution of CHF 7'258/year, age 30 to 65 (35 years), starting from CHF 0.
Compare to Similar Products
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does the fund exclude Swiss equities?
- BLKB sells a separate 100% Swiss equity sister fund, so this product deliberately covers the rest of the world. Hold both side by side for full global coverage without overlap. Held alone, you'd have no domestic Swiss exposure, which matters for currency reasons if your liabilities are in CHF.
- How does the +65.87% five-year return stack up?
- +65.87% cumulative over five years is well above the +23.5% segment average and reflects the strong run in global equity markets since 2020. The fund is 100% stock, so volatility is high and drawdowns can be sharp. Past performance doesn't guarantee future returns, but the trajectory tracks broad world ex-CH indices.
- What costs apply beyond the 0.46% TER?
- Custody is CHF 0 and issuing and sales fees are 0%, so the 0.46% TER is essentially your full ongoing cost. That's roughly CHF 230 a year on a CHF 50,000 balance, before any platform-level account fees your 3a custodian may charge.
- Is CHF 254M a small fund?
- At CHF 254M in assets, the fund is mid-sized for Swiss 3a, smaller than its Swiss-equity sibling at CHF 561M but well above the CHF 100M small-fund threshold. Liquidity is solid and there's no swing pricing applied, so subscriptions and redemptions happen at NAV.
How We Rated This Product
BLKB iQ Responsible Equity World ex Switzerland B was evaluated as a product using our weighted scoring system.
Ratings are updated monthly based on the latest available data. All products are evaluated using the same methodology.
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