Our Take on Bank WIR Savings Account
0.05% savings with a CHF 2 fee per transaction. Do the math before you deposit.
The Bank WIR Savings Account ranks #27 among Switzerland's 31 savings accounts. It's the standard savings product from Bank WIR, available to both private and business customers. The headline rate is average, but the per-transaction fee structure changes the economics significantly.
Is the Interest Rate Competitive?
At 0.05% per year, the rate is standard for Swiss banks. On CHF 100,000, you earn CHF 50 annually. But every transaction costs CHF 2, and the termination fee is CHF 15. If you make 25 transactions per year, you've already wiped out your interest on CHF 100,000.
The effective return depends entirely on how actively you use the account. A set-it-and-forget-it saver making one deposit per year pays CHF 2 in fees and earns CHF 50. A more active saver making monthly deposits pays CHF 24 and earns the same CHF 50.
What Actually Stands Out
Open to both private and business customers, which is relatively uncommon for Swiss savings accounts. If you run a small business and need a simple savings vehicle, this works. Up to 5 accounts per customer allows for segmented savings goals.
No withdrawal limits or notice periods are specified. No age restrictions either. Bank WIR is a Swiss cooperative bank. Internal transfers to retirement accounts, fixed-term deposits, or for purchasing participation certificates are free (no CHF 2 charge).
What Most Reviews Miss
The CHF 2 per-transaction fee is the real cost driver. This is charged on each deposit, withdrawal, and transfer. If you set up a monthly savings plan of CHF 500, that's CHF 24 per year in fees alone. On a CHF 6,000 annual deposit, the fee represents 0.40% of your deposits.
The CHF 15 termination fee also adds friction when leaving. Not suitable for payment services. Bank WIR's stronger product is the Savings Account Plus at 0.75% (ranked #2), which makes this standard version hard to recommend.
The Bottom Line
The per-transaction fee makes this account best suited for infrequent, large deposits. Monthly savers will find the fees eat into returns. Bank WIR's own Savings Account Plus is a far better choice for committed savers. Compare all options in our best savings accounts in Switzerland ranking.
Verdict: Passable for lump-sum, low-activity savings. The transaction fee is the dealbreaker for most.
Pros
- No annual fees
- No minimum deposit required
Cons
- Low interest rate
- Age restriction: There are no limitations.
Account Details
At a Glance
Account Mgmt
No fee
Interest Rate
0.05%
Debit Card Fee
—
Currency
CHF
Minimum Deposit
CHF 0
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
Account Opening Fee
No fee
Account Mgmt
No fee
Debit Card Fee
—
Banking Features
Banking Features
Mobile Banking
Not available
Online Banking
Not available
Key Features
- Free account management
- No annual fee for debit card
- High interest rate of 0.05%
- Low minimum deposit requirement
Age Requirement
No age restrictions
Withdrawal Terms
Withdrawal Terms
Account Closure
CHF 15.00 fee
Additional Information
Additional Information
- Not suitable for payment services
- Maximum 5 account(s) per customer
Calculate Your Interest Earnings
See how much your deposit could earn with this account's 0.05% interest rate.
After 1 year
+CHF 25
Total Value: CHF 50'025
After 3 years
+CHF 75
Total Value: CHF 50'075
After 5 years
+CHF 125
Total Value: CHF 50'125
Rating by Category
Compare to Similar Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I open this as a business?
- Yes, available to private and business customers. Most savings accounts in Switzerland are individual-only, so this is rare. Useful if you're running a sole proprietorship or holding company cash and don't want to mingle it with personal funds. The same per-transaction fee and notice rules apply either way.
- What's the deal with CHF 2 per transaction?
- Every booking on this account costs CHF 2 in account management. Transfers to retirement accounts, fixed-term deposits, or to buy participation certificates are exempt. Frequent depositors who treat this like a sweep account will rack up fees fast. Best for monthly or quarterly top-ups, not weekly ones.
- How does the quarterly withdrawal limit work?
- Up to CHF 30,000 per quarter without notice; larger amounts need 3 months. Slightly more flexible than half-year competitors but tighter than monthly ones. Plan large outflows around the calendar quarter; touching the limit late in Q4 means waiting until April for anything bigger.
- Can I open multiple of these?
- Up to 5 accounts per customer. Useful for envelope-style budgeting (one for tax reserves, one for renovations, one for the holiday fund). The CHF 2 per transaction adds up across multiple accounts though, so don't open more than you'll actually use.
How We Rated This Account
Wondering why Bank WIR Savings Account got its score? We rate Savings 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 Bank WIR Savings Account today and start enjoying its benefits.