Join the 2 million Europeans who have chosen Switzerland to protect their success.
Book a meeting to learn more about Swiss banking services
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Opening a Swiss account is simple, if you know how to do it and are accompanied. Here is a summary in six steps 👇🏻
Some banks are generalist, others specialize in certain segments (entrepreneurs, families, NextGen, etc.) or regions. You need to find the one that suits you, and guidance is often valuable.
As a non-resident, you must contact the bank yourself because Swiss banks cannot solicit you outside Switzerland if you reside in the EU. It is also essential to verify the eligibility criteria required by banks (e.g., minimum wealth, domicile, sector of activity, source of funds, professional athletes, politically exposed persons, etc.).
• Do you want discretionary or advisory management?
• Do you need financing, and are you willing to pledge assets in collateral (“Lombard loan”)?
• Do you want wealth engineering solutions (e.g., Luxembourg life insurance registered in Switzerland)?
Swiss fees are often perceived as high, but they are negotiable and transparent, so it’s important to adopt a simple strategy that can be easily compared across institutions.
Swiss banks require identification, proof of foreign residence, proof of income, and documentation on the source of funds; in some cases, a tax return to verify the tax compliance of assets.
You must sign all account opening documents in Switzerland. Few banks allow electronic signatures, and most countries do not allow opening Swiss accounts from their territory.
About us
Helvetica is a digital media outlet based in Geneva, to which various finance professionals contribute, including senior private bankers in Switzerland. Helvetica produces content, shares information, and facilitates introductions. Find us with our weekly Newsletter newsletter and on LinkedIn, or contact us at helvetica@swiss-investment-initiative.ch. Helvetica does not promote or advise on investment products.
Helvetica was launched in Geneva in 2025 by Mourtaza Asad-Syed et Sebastian Aeschbach, to facilitate and promote investment in Switzerland. Mourtaza is French and Swiss, with about thirty years of experience in financial markets, including twenty in Switzerland and in private wealth management. He is currently a fund manager and previously held senior roles in a Geneva private bank with CHF 5 billion AUM as Chief Investment Officer. Sebastian is Swiss and a trained philosopher. After a career in finance, he is now an entrepreneur in trading and a local elected official in Geneva, involved in activities reflecting his commitment to a modern Geneva serving all residents. He chairs the Nouvelle Société Helvétique, Groupe Genève, and is secretary of Association D.
Our local network gives us rapid and comprehensive access to a network of private banks in Switzerland.
Our experience with hundreds of accounts allows us to evaluate the most competitive offers.
Our knowledge of wealth management professions guarantees access to personalized quality service.
And what about confidentiality?
Switzerland remains one of the most respectful countries for privacy. No leaks, no undue curiosity, especially since communicating about bank operations or account details is a punishable offense for employees. That is why 10 % of the 20 million millionaires residing in the European Union have had a Swiss account for decades.
Terms and Conditions of Use & Data Privacy
Terms and Conditions of Use (FINMA / Swiss FADP / GDPR compliant)
1. Preamble
Helvetica, with its registered office at Place de l’Étrier 4, 1224 Chêne-Bougeries, Geneva, Switzerland (“Helvetica”), publishes editorial content in the form of articles and news relating to economics, financial markets, and personal finance. Such content is intended for European residents seeking information about investing in or relocating to Switzerland.
2. Purpose
These Terms and Conditions of Use (“TCU”) govern access to and use of the Website by any user (“User”).
3. Regulatory Status
Helvetica is a media and information platform.
Helvetica is not a bank, not a securities firm, not an asset manager, and not a financial intermediary within the meaning of Swiss financial market legislation (FINMA).
Helvetica does not provide regulated financial services and is not subject to prudential supervision by FINMA.
4. No Offer, No Solicitation, No Advice
All content published on the Website, by email, or on social networks is provided for information purposes only.
The information provided does not constitute:
an offer or invitation to buy or sell financial instruments,
a solicitation or marketing communication within the meaning of MiFID II or Swiss financial market law,
investment advice, legal advice, tax advice, or any recommendation.
Nothing on this Website shall be construed as public solicitation or active marketing of financial services, particularly towards EU residents.
Any contact or interaction with Helvetica is deemed to be initiated solely at the User’s own initiative (“reverse solicitation”).
5. Limitation of Liability
While Helvetica endeavors to ensure the accuracy and quality of the information published, it provides such information without any guarantee as to accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness.
Helvetica reserves the right to modify, suspend, or remove any content at any time.
Helvetica and its contributors shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages resulting from access to, use of, or reliance on the information provided.
6. Intellectual Property
All content on the Website is protected by copyright and related rights.
Content may be downloaded or reproduced solely for personal, non-commercial use.
Any other use, reproduction, or distribution requires the prior written consent of Helvetica.
7. External Links
The Website may contain links to third-party websites. Helvetica has no control over such websites and assumes no responsibility for their content, products, or services.
Access to external websites is at the User’s own risk.
8. Amendments
Helvetica reserves the right to amend these TCU at any time.
9. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These TCU are governed by Swiss law.
Exclusive jurisdiction lies with the courts of Geneva, Switzerland.
**Data Protection Policy (Swiss FADP 2023 & EU GDPR compliant)**
1. Scope and Purpose
This Data Protection Policy explains how Helvetica processes personal data of visitors to its websites and readers of its publications, in accordance with:
the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP, rev. 2023), and
the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), where applicable.
2. Data Controller
The data controller is:
Helvetica
Place de l’Étrier 4
1224 Chêne-Bougeries, Geneva, Switzerland
Email: helvetica@swiss-investment-initiative.ch
3. Categories of Personal Data
Depending on your interaction with the Website, we may process:
Identification and contact data (email address) when subscribing to newsletters, downloading documents, or booking appointments;
Technical and usage data (cookies, IP address, browser data), subject to your consent.
4. Purposes and Legal Basis of Processing
Personal data is processed for the following purposes:
delivery of newsletters and requested information (consent);
operation, security, and improvement of the Website (legitimate interest);
audience measurement and communication personalization (consent).
5. Cookies
Cookies are used to ensure proper Website functionality.
Subject to your consent, cookies may also be used for analytics and communication purposes.
Cookie data is retained for a maximum period of 12 months.
6. Data Retention
Personal data is retained only for as long as necessary:
newsletter data: until you unsubscribe;
technical data: up to 12 months;
legal or compliance data: as required by applicable law.
7. Data Recipients and Processors
Personal data may be processed by trusted service providers acting as data processors under contractual obligations of confidentiality and security.
Data is not sold or rented.
8. International Data Transfers
Personal data is processed primarily in Switzerland or in jurisdictions recognized as providing an adequate level of data protection by the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner or the European Commission.
Where required, appropriate safeguards (standard contractual clauses) are implemented.
9. Data Subject Rights
In accordance with applicable law, you may:
access your personal data;
request rectification or erasure;
request restriction of processing;
object to processing, including for direct marketing;
request data portability;
withdraw consent at any time.
Exercising certain rights may limit access to specific services.
10. Complaints
You may lodge a complaint with:
the Swiss Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC), or
the competent EU supervisory authority, where applicable.
Helvetica - 2025 - Geneva, Suisse
helvetica@swiss-investment-initiative.ch
