Our Take on Alternative Bank Every Day Account
CHF 6 for a single SEPA payment. Sustainable banking comes at a steep price.
The Alternative Bank Every Day Account ranks #33 among Switzerland's 45 private accounts. It's offered by Alternative Bank Switzerland (ABS), a bank focused on ethical and sustainable investments. The principles are admirable, but the fee structure is one of the most expensive for international transfers.
Are the Fees Worth It?
Total annual cost: CHF 88 (CHF 48 for account management plus CHF 40 for the Debit Mastercard). That's identical to several cantonal banks. The difference shows up in transaction fees. SEPA payments cost CHF 6 each, which is one of the highest rates we've tracked. Send 10 SEPA transfers per year, and you've added CHF 60 to your annual costs.
Non-SEPA international transfers run CHF 10 each. You get 10 free ATM withdrawals per month in Switzerland, then CHF 3 per withdrawal after that. Abroad, every withdrawal costs CHF 5.
What Actually Stands Out
The real differentiator isn't a banking feature. It's where your money goes. Alternative Bank Switzerland only finances projects that meet strict social and environmental criteria. No fossil fuels, no arms, no speculative real estate. If ethical banking matters to you, ABS is one of very few options in Switzerland.
The 10 free domestic ATM withdrawals per month is actually generous compared to some competitors. Mobile banking and online banking are both available, and there are no age restrictions for opening the account.
What Most Reviews Miss
Account termination costs CHF 10. That's a small fee, but it's worth knowing upfront. Most comparable accounts offer free termination. It signals that switching away has a (minor) friction cost built in.
The CHF 6 SEPA fee is the real deal-breaker for anyone with European connections. The Swiss average for SEPA transfers sits around CHF 0-2. ABS charges three to six times the market rate. If you regularly pay rent, invoices, or subscriptions in EUR, those fees compound fast.
The Bottom Line
This is a values-driven choice, not a financially optimal one. You're paying a premium for the guarantee that your deposits fund sustainable projects. If that alignment matters more than saving CHF 50-100 per year, ABS delivers on its promise. For a pure cost comparison, see how it stacks up on our bank account comparison tool.
Verdict: Best for ethical banking advocates. Everyone else will find better value elsewhere.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required
- Modern mobile and online banking
Cons
- Annual management fee (CHF 48)
- Annual debit card fee of CHF 40
- SEPA payment fee of CHF 6
- No contactless payment
- Age restriction: There are no limitations.
Account Details
At a Glance
Account Mgmt
CHF 48/year
Interest Rate
0.00%
Debit Card Fee
CHF 40/year
Currency
CHF
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
Account Opening Fee
No fee
Account Mgmt
CHF 48/year
Debit Card Fee
CHF 40/year
Cash Withdrawal (Switzerland)
10 free, then CHF 3
Cash Withdrawal (Abroad)
CHF 5
Outgoing Payment (CH)
No fee
SEPA Payment
CHF 6
Non-SEPA Payment Abroad
CHF 10
Banking Features
Banking Features
Mobile Banking
Available
Online Banking
Available
Debit Card Options
Key Features
- Mobile banking available
- Online banking available
- Debit Mastercard included
- Free cash withdrawals in Switzerland
- Low minimum deposit requirement
Age Requirement
No age restrictions
Withdrawal Terms
Withdrawal Terms
Account Closure
CHF 10.00 fee
Calculate Your Annual Cost
Annual Cost Breakdown
You Pay Per Year
CHF 88
Rating by Category
Compare to Similar Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does ABS charge CHF 6 per SEPA payment?
- CHF 6 per SEPA payment, the highest in our private-account database for SEPA. Standard SEPA is free or CHF 0.30-1 at most peers. ABS charges more because it operates on a smaller, principles-led scale rather than the volume that lets big banks subsidise SEPA. Cost-aware travellers and EU-payers should pair ABS with a free-SEPA secondary account.
- What does ABS mean by 'sustainable banking'?
- ABS is the Swiss bank explicitly built around ethical and ecological lending: it discloses where every customer franc is invested and excludes fossil fuels, weapons and certain industries. The everyday account itself functions like any private account; the difference is what the bank does with deposits, not the mechanics of your spending.
- How many free ATM withdrawals does ABS include in Switzerland?
- 10 free withdrawals per period, then CHF 3 each in Switzerland. That's more generous than the typical 'own ATM only' policy, but the per-withdrawal surcharge above 10 is higher (CHF 3 vs the more common CHF 2). If you withdraw weekly, you stay under the cap. Daily cash use will tip you over.
How We Rated This Account
Wondering why Alternative Bank Every Day Account got its score? We rate Checking (Everyday) Accounts accounts using a weighted formula. Here's what counts.
Same formula for every account in this category. No exceptions.
Ready to Open?
Open the Alternative Bank Every Day Account today and start enjoying its benefits.