Bank Cler Savings Account Plus

0.70% effective interest, but only if you follow the rules exactly. Here's what that means.

The Bank Cler Savings Account Plus ranks #5 among Switzerland's 31 savings accounts. It combines a modest base rate with a generous bonus, delivering up to 0.70% if you meet the conditions. It's a smart option for disciplined savers, but the bonus mechanics are more complex than they first appear.

Is the Interest Rate Competitive?

The base rate is just 0.10%, which is unremarkable. The real value comes from the 0.60% interest bonus, bringing the effective rate to 0.70%. In the first year, the bonus applies to your full balance up to CHF 250,000. That's competitive.

In subsequent years, the bonus only applies to the net increase in your balance during that calendar year, up to CHF 250,000. So if you deposited CHF 100,000 last year, only new money earns the bonus this year. Existing balances earn 0.10%.

What Actually Stands Out

The first-year deal is genuinely attractive. If you deposit CHF 100,000, you'll earn roughly CHF 700 in interest versus CHF 50 at a typical bank. That's meaningful money for simply parking cash. Bank Cler is backed by Basler Kantonalbank, so you get cantonal bank security.

The account has no management fees, and the 0.60% bonus is one of the highest ongoing bonuses in the Swiss savings market. Just keep in mind: it rewards saving discipline, not just having money.

What Most Reviews Miss

The bonus disappears if you withdraw more than CHF 20,000 in a year. Not just on the excess amount, on everything. One withdrawal over the limit and your entire bonus for the year is gone. You're back to 0.10% on all of it.

The withdrawal limit is CHF 50,000 per year with a 6-month notice period. Age requirement is 20+, which excludes younger savers. And the account isn't suitable for payments. Only one account per customer relationship.

The Bottom Line

The Bank Cler Savings Account Plus rewards discipline. If you can deposit regularly, withdraw rarely, and keep your annual withdrawals under CHF 20,000, you'll earn well above the market average. Explore other options in our best savings accounts in Switzerland ranking.

Verdict: One of the best bonus savings accounts in Switzerland for the first year. After that, only new money earns the premium rate.