Our Take on Urner KB Private Account
CHF 82 per year for a small cantonal bank account. The value is difficult to find.
The Urner KB Private Account ranks #29 among Switzerland's 45 private accounts. Offered by the Cantonal Bank of Uri, it costs CHF 82 per year with few features to justify the price. It's a straightforward regional account for Uri residents, but challenging to recommend to anyone else.
Are the Fees Worth It?
You're paying CHF 42 for account management and CHF 40 for a Mastercard Debit card, totaling CHF 82 per year. For that price, you get free domestic payments and free SEPA transfers. Non-SEPA international payments cost CHF 5 each.
Cash at Urner KB ATMs is free, but third-party Swiss ATMs cost CHF 2 and abroad it's CHF 5. There's nothing in this pricing that stands out as competitive. Accounts ranked 10-15 positions higher on our list offer similar or better features at significantly lower prices.
What Actually Stands Out
The cantonal state guarantee from the Canton of Uri provides deposit security beyond the standard CHF 100,000 insurance. There's no age restriction either, so anyone can open this account regardless of age. Urner Kantonalbank serves a primarily local community in central Switzerland.
Free SEPA payments are included, which is standard at this price point. Mobile and online banking are available. Beyond that, there's genuinely little that differentiates this account from dozens of competitors, many of which cost considerably less.
What Most Reviews Miss
Account termination costs CHF 20. While lower than some competitors' CHF 50 fees, it's still a cost most people don't expect when they sign up. Several accounts ranked higher offer completely free termination with no strings attached.
The 0% interest rate, lack of contactless payments, and CHF 82 annual cost place this in the overpriced category for what you actually get. The Canton of Uri has a small population, and the branch network reflects that. If you don't live in the region, there's minimal reason to choose this over a larger cantonal bank.
The Bottom Line
For Uri residents who want local cantonal banking with a state guarantee, Urner KB is a natural but not particularly competitive choice. For everyone else, there are better options at lower prices. Check our best bank accounts in Switzerland ranking for alternatives that deliver more for less.
Verdict: A regional account for Uri locals. Hard to justify for anyone outside the canton.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required
- Modern mobile and online banking
- Free SEPA payments
Cons
- Annual management fee (CHF 42)
- Annual debit card fee of CHF 40
- No contactless payment
- Age restriction: There are no limitations.
Account Details
At a Glance
Account Mgmt
CHF 42/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 42/year
Debit Card Fee
CHF 40/year
Cash Withdrawal (Switzerland)
Own ATMs free, others CHF 2.00
Cash Withdrawal (Abroad)
CHF 5
Outgoing Payment (CH)
No fee
SEPA Payment
No fee
Non-SEPA Payment Abroad
CHF 5
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 20.00 fee
Calculate Your Annual Cost
Annual Cost Breakdown
You Pay Per Year
CHF 82
Rating by Category
Compare to Similar Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does it cost to terminate the Urner KB private account?
- CHF 20 to close. Most cantonal banks waive the closure fee, so it's a URKB-specific friction worth flagging if you might bank-hop. For long-term residents in Uri, the fee never bites.
- How much can I withdraw from the URKB account without notice?
- Up to CHF 100,000 per month without notice; one month's notice required for higher amounts. The 1-month notice is among the shorter notice periods in our database (most peers ask for 3 months). If you anticipate a CHF 200,000 down payment, plan it 30 days out instead of 90.
- Is there an age requirement for the URKB private account?
- No age limit, which makes it open to younger adults straight out of the youth tier. That's broader than most German-speaking cantonal banks (BKB, ZugerKB, SZKB at 25-26). Useful if you want to migrate an 18-year-old onto a regular account immediately.
How We Rated This Account
Wondering why Urner KB Private 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 Urner KB Private Account today and start enjoying its benefits.