Our Take on Bank WIR Shareholder Savings Account
Own 25+ Bank WIR shares and you get 0.05%. Own fewer? You're charged 0.60%.
The Bank WIR Shareholder Savings Account ranks #26 among Switzerland's 31 savings accounts. It's a niche product exclusively for Bank WIR shareholders. The rate structure has a catch that makes it potentially the most expensive savings account in Switzerland if you don't meet the share requirement.
Is the Interest Rate Competitive?
With 25 or more shares, you get 0.05% per year. That's market-average for Swiss savings. But with fewer than 25 shares, you're charged a negative rate of 0.60%. On CHF 100,000, that's a CHF 600 annual penalty instead of CHF 50 in earnings.
This isn't a typo. If you hold fewer than 25 participation certificates, the account effectively costs you money. The 0.05% positive rate requires a meaningful equity investment in Bank WIR first.
What Actually Stands Out
The negative rate for under-qualified shareholders is the most unusual feature we've seen in any Swiss savings product. It's designed to incentivize share ownership, but it means this account is strictly for committed Bank WIR participants.
No withdrawal limits or notice periods are specified, and there are no age restrictions. Bank WIR is a cooperative bank focused on supporting Swiss SMEs. Your deposits are covered by Swiss deposit insurance. Free internal transfers to retirement accounts and fixed-term deposits.
What Most Reviews Miss
CHF 2 per transaction. Every deposit, every withdrawal, every movement costs CHF 2. If you make 10 transactions per year, that's CHF 20 in fees. On a CHF 50,000 balance earning 0.05%, your CHF 25 in interest is already wiped out.
The termination fee is CHF 15. Combined with transaction fees, this account's true cost can easily exceed its returns. The only scenario where it makes sense is if you're already a committed Bank WIR shareholder with 25+ shares and make very few transactions.
The Bottom Line
This is a shareholder loyalty product, not a general savings account. Unless you're already deeply invested in Bank WIR's cooperative model, stay away. The transaction fees alone kill the value. For actual savings returns, see our best savings accounts in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: Only for dedicated Bank WIR shareholders. Everyone else, look elsewhere.
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
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
- What happens if I hold fewer than 25 Bank WIR shares?
- Drop below 25 shares and you pay -0.6% on your balance. That's a real penalty rate, not just a worse savings rate. You're effectively renting the account from the bank. Buy and hold the minimum 25 shares, or this product turns into the most expensive 'savings' account on the market.
- How does the half-year withdrawal limit work?
- You can pull up to CHF 25,000 every six months without notice. Anything above triggers a 6-month notice period. The half-year cadence is unusual; most peers reset monthly or annually. Perfect if you want one big withdrawal in spring and another in autumn, awkward if your liquidity needs are bunchy.
- Why do internal transfers cost CHF 2 each?
- Bank WIR charges CHF 2 per booking for general account management. Transfers to your retirement account, fixed-term deposit, or to buy more shares are exempt. So the CHF 2 hits when you move money to and from your private spending account. Frequent shuffling adds up; treat this as set-and-forget money.
- What's the exit cost on the Bank WIR Shareholder Savings?
- CHF 15 to terminate the banking relationship. Most savings accounts in our database close for free, so this is on the small list of paid exits. Combine with the 6-month notice for amounts above CHF 25,000 and exiting in a hurry costs both time and money.
How We Rated This Account
Wondering why Bank WIR Shareholder 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 Shareholder Savings Account today and start enjoying its benefits.