ZKB Private Account
Cantonal Bank of Zurich (ZKB)
Overall Rating
Account Mgmt
No fee
Interest Rate
0.00%
Currency
CHF
Our Take on ZKB Private Account
Zurich's cantonal bank gives you a free private account. The optional packages are where it gets interesting.
The ZKB Private Account ranks #7 among Switzerland's 46 private accounts. It's the standard free offering from Zurich's cantonal bank, one of the largest and most trusted banks in Switzerland. No-frills banking with the option to bundle into a package that includes a credit card.
What Does Free Actually Mean?
Zero account management fee. Zero debit card fee. Free domestic payments and SEPA transfers. You get a Visa Debit and access to mobile and online banking at no cost. Up to three private accounts and two Visa Debit cards are included for free. That's genuinely generous.
ATM withdrawals at ZKB machines are free, but other Swiss ATMs cost CHF 2 each. Abroad, it's CHF 5 per withdrawal. Non-SEPA international payments run CHF 4. These are standard cantonal bank rates, nothing surprising either way.
What Actually Stands Out
The optional inclusive packages are the real play here. Silver (CHF 72/yr) adds a standard credit card. Gold (CHF 150/yr) upgrades to a Gold credit card. Platinum (CHF 384/yr) includes a Platinum credit card. Each package bundles the private account, savings account, and credit card into one fee.
ZKB also offers EUR account management, which is useful if you receive income in euros. As Zurich's cantonal bank, your deposits benefit from the Canton of Zurich's state guarantee. That's arguably the strongest cantonal backing in Switzerland.
What Most Reviews Miss
Account closure costs CHF 20. Most cantonal banks offer free termination, so this is a small but real cost if you decide to leave. Each additional private account beyond three costs CHF 12 per year, and extra Visa Debit cards beyond two cost CHF 40 each.
The 0% interest rate means your money sits idle. No interest on the private account at all. For a bank this size, that's expected but worth noting if you keep large balances in your checking account. Move anything above your monthly needs to a savings account.
The Bottom Line
ZKB offers solid, reliable free banking with the strongest cantonal backing in Switzerland. The standalone account is excellent for everyday use, and the inclusive packages make sense if you also need a credit card. Compare your options in our best private accounts in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: The safe, trusted choice for Zurich residents. Consider a package if you need a credit card bundled in.
Pros
- No annual fees
- No minimum deposit required
- Modern mobile and online banking
- Free SEPA payments
Cons
- No contactless payment
- Age restriction: From age 18
Account Details
At a Glance
Account Mgmt
No fee
Interest Rate
0.00%
Debit Card Fee
No fee
Currency
CHF
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
Account Opening Fee
No fee
Account Mgmt
No fee
Debit Card Fee
No fee
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 4
Banking Features
Banking Features
Mobile Banking
Available
Online Banking
Available
Debit Card Options
Key Features
- Free account management
- No annual fee for debit card
- Mobile banking available
- Online banking available
- Debit Visa included
- Free cash withdrawals at own ATMs
- Low minimum deposit requirement
Age Requirement
From age 18
Withdrawal Terms
Withdrawal Terms
Account Closure
CHF 20.00 fee
Calculate Your Annual Cost
Annual cost breakdown:
Total Annual Cost
Free
Rating by Category
Compare to Similar Accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does ZKB charge anything to walk away from the relationship?
- CHF 20 to terminate the banking relationship. Most cantonal banks do this for free, so it's worth flagging if you tend to bank-hop. Not a dealbreaker for someone planning to stay long-term, but factor it in if you're testing ZKB as a backup.
- How many free accounts and Visa Debits does ZKB include?
- Up to 3 private accounts and 2 Visa Debit cards per customer relationship. Beyond that, each extra account is CHF 12 per year and each extra card CHF 40 per year. Useful headroom if you want a partner account, a holiday-savings sub-account and a separate card for shared spending.
- Is the ZKB inclusive package worth it?
- Depends on the credit card you'd otherwise pay for. Silver costs CHF 72 per year including a Standard credit card; Gold is CHF 150 with a Gold card; Platinum CHF 384 with a Platinum card. If the included card matches what you'd buy standalone, the package usually wins. If you don't need a credit card at all, skip the package and stay on the free private account.
- How much do ZKB Visa Debit purchases abroad really cost?
- 1.25% of the purchase amount, capped at CHF 1.50 per transaction. That cap is unusual: it makes ZKB cheaper than peers on big-ticket foreign purchases. A CHF 200 hotel night abroad costs you CHF 1.50, where most banks would charge CHF 3.
How We Rated This Account
Wondering why ZKB Private Account got its score? We rate Private 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 ZKB Private Account today and start enjoying its benefits.