Alpian Signature

The same Alpian account, minus the CHF 60 card and the eTax fee, if you clear one of three bars.

Alpian Signature ranks #7 of the 12 neobanks we rank, with 4.5/5. It isn't a separate account but a free upgrade of the Alpian private account. You qualify through your salary, monthly investing or assets held at Alpian, and get the metal card, cashback and lower investment fees.

What Does Free Actually Mean?

Signature costs nothing, but you have to earn it. You need one of three things: a monthly salary of at least CHF 7,000 paid into Alpian, recurring investments of at least CHF 1,000 a month, or CHF 150,000 across cash, savings and investments at Alpian. Meet one and the plan is yours, with no monthly fee.

For everyday banking, the savings are real but small. The metal Visa debit card is included instead of CHF 60, worth about CHF 12 a year over its five-year life. The eTax statement is included instead of CHF 25. And 0.10% cashback on CHF 2,000 of monthly card spending adds CHF 24. Together, roughly CHF 60 a year.

What Actually Stands Out

The investment discount is where Signature pays off. Alpian's management fee drops from 0.75% on Standard to 0.69% up to CHF 300,000, 0.60% between 300,000 and 500,000, and 0.50% above that. On a CHF 150,000 mandate, that's CHF 90 a year saved. The bigger the portfolio, the more the plan matters.

Underneath, it's the same multi-currency setup. One Swiss IBAN holds CHF, EUR, USD and GBP, EUR earns 0.75% and USD 1% on the slice between 10,001 and 500,000, and Alpian SA is a Swiss bank with its own FINMA licence. The partner perks, from Uber One to a Bucherer voucher, are listed on Alpian's Signature page.

What Most Reviews Miss

Alpian says the partner benefits are time-limited and subject to change, so don't pick the plan for an Amex or Bucherer offer. The page also doesn't spell out what happens if you stop meeting the condition, say after a job change takes your salary below CHF 7,000. Ask Alpian before you rely on it.

Everything that bugs people about Alpian Standard carries over. TWINT is TWINT Prepaid only, there's no web banking, and Swiss cash costs CHF 2 per withdrawal with nothing free. Abroad, it's 2.5% of the amount. Weekend currency conversions cost 0.50% instead of 0.20%, and payments outside a currency's own zone cost 7 in that currency.

The Bottom Line

If you already qualify, there's no reason not to switch Signature on: it's free and strictly better than Standard. If you don't, don't move CHF 150,000 or reroute your salary just for it, since the everyday savings come to about CHF 60 a year. Line it up against other options with our compare Swiss bank accounts side by side tool.

Verdict: A free bonus for Alpian investors and high earners, not a reason on its own to bank with Alpian.