This is how we test and compare
Here you can find out how we test and what we expect for a good rating:
Private accounts
What we expect
There is enough to worry about. Account fees should not be one of them. A good account offers the most important functions at the most transparent and favourable conditions possible.
Become Wealthy compares the private accounts of the most popular banks in Switzerland. We expect a private account to offer the usual payment functions (transfers in Switzerland and abroad, direct debit, standing order) and to provide a debit card for payments in shops or online. The main focus here is on fees. When calculating fees, we concentrate on digital account use (e-banking, smartphone app), as easily avoidable additional fees are regularly charged for transactions at the counter.
Test criteria
Account management fees
There are no fixed costs for a very good rating, regardless of whether you have CHF 1 or CHF 20,000 in your account.
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Interest
In our comparison, we take interest into account, but only for an average amount of CHF 5,000. You should not hold too much money in your private account, as savings accounts or other forms of investment are more suitable.
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Incoming payments
Incoming payments (e.g. wages) are free of charge.
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Domestic payments
Domestic transfers are free of charge.
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LSV + standing order
LSV and standing orders can be set up free of charge.
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Card payments
Domestic card payments are free of charge.
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ATM cash withdrawal
Cash withdrawals at own and third-party ATMs are free of charge.
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Calculation basis for the rating
Account management fees
There are no fixed costs for a very good rating, regardless of whether you have CHF 1 or CHF 20,000 in your account.
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Average account balance
In our comparison, we take interest into account, but only for an average amount of CHF 5,000. You should not hold too much money in your private account, as savings accounts or other forms of investment are more suitable.
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Annual interest
CHF 5,000
Various banks charge lower fees from a certain deposit (often CHF 10,000 or CHF 25,000). We point this out on the details page and in the direct comparison. However, this has no influence on the evaluation, as we are of the opinion that you should not worry about fee thresholds when using your account. Incidentally, you should not hold too large amounts in your private account. There are savings accounts or free investments (custody accounts) for this purpose.
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Incoming payments
The annual fees and one-off fees are taken into account. Any discounts granted in the first year are not taken into account, only the standard fees for subsequent years.
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Domestic payments
5 domestic payments per month (e.g. rent
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LSV + standing order
4x per month
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Card payments
60 debit card payments per month in Switzerland
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Cash withdrawal ATM
• 1x cash withdrawal from the account-holding bank's ATM per month
• 1x cash withdrawal from a third-party ATM per month
• If the account-holding bank does not operate its own ATMs:
2x cash withdrawal at a third-party ATM per month
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No influence on the rating
Mobile payment, Twint, eBill, etc.
Twint, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, LSV, eBill, etc. - we all have different ideas about must-have features. We show you these features for each account in the detailed overview - or you can use the filter function. However, such functions have no influence on the rating, as iPhone users, for example, are not interested in Samsung Pay (and vice versa).
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Special accounts
The "Private account" comparison analyses the general private account products that are available to all customers (youth accounts, training accounts, etc. are tested separately [comparisons to follow]).
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Use abroad
The fees for the most important usage functions are listed on the detail page and in the direct comparison, but are not included in the evaluation, as usage behaviour abroad is very different and the results can therefore be distorted. The best banking products for use abroad are determined in a separate comparison. [Editor's note: Comparison for foreign use in progress]
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Welcome offers
Become Wealthy negotiates exclusive conditions whenever possible (e.g. starting credit). We indicate these benefits with an icon. Welcome offers have no influence on the rating.
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Credit cards
What we expect
There are many credit cards and their factsheets rival many a novel in their detail. A good credit card offers the most important function - payment - at the most transparent and attractive conditions possible.
Become Wealthy compares the most popular and attractive credit cards in Switzerland. The main focus is on fees and bonus programmes. Functions such as Apple Pay or Google Pay have no direct influence on the test score, as an iPhone user has no use for Google Pay (and vice versa). The filter function makes it possible to filter the credit cards according to individual needs.
Test criteria
Annual fee
There are no fixed costs for a very good rating, regardless of whether you use the card or not.
Various providers reduce or waive the fees in the first year. We draw your attention to this discount. However, the standard fees for subsequent years are taken into account for the rating calculation.
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Card type
In general, a distinction can be made between three types of credit card: Standard (also known as Silver or Classic), Gold and Platinum. Only the standard offers are considered in the comparison.
In contrast to standard credit cards, gold and platinum credit cards are usually characterised by a large number of additional services and high annual fees (gold often CHF 100 to CHF 200; platinum often CHF 250 to CHF 900). The additional benefits include, for example, shopping, travel cancellation, foreign travel health or luggage insurance. However, such credit cards are usually not worthwhile as they are either too expensive and/or the insurance cover only applies under strict conditions. Become Wealthy recommends taking out separate insurance policies independent of a credit card where necessary. When choosing a credit card, attention should be paid to favourable fees and attractive cashback or bonus programme conditions, which is why only standard cards are included in the comparison.
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Domestic card payments
Card payments in Switzerland (in CHF) are free of charge both in shops and online.
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Cashback or bonus programme
If available, sales-related cashback and bonus point credits are taken into account. Attractive cashback or bonus conditions are usually decisive for a good test result.
When paying with cashback or bonus credit cards (e.g. miles, Cumulus points), you benefit with every purchase. The general conditions are relevant for the rating calculation (for example, if you receive 2x the normal points when shopping in a special shop, this exceptional benefit is not taken into account in the calculation).
Furthermore, cashback credits in CHF are taken into account in full (100%) in the rating calculation, while bonus point credits (e.g. miles or Cumulus points) are weighted at 80% of their value. This is justified because bonus points cannot be used freely (redemption only in certain shops / redemption only for certain products, etc.). This disadvantage compared to cashback cards is compensated for by the different weighting.
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Card currency
CHF | Card usage in Switzerland
Payments abroad or in foreign currencies generally incur high fees (exchange rate surcharges, processing fees, etc.). There are suitable and inexpensive cards for use abroad that are specially designed for travelling and foreign purchases. However, there is no "all-rounder card" that offers very attractive conditions both in everyday life in Switzerland and abroad. We therefore recommend a separate card for use in Switzerland and abroad. [Editor's note: Comparison for foreign cards in progress]
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Fees for invoicing
Digital invoicing (e-invoicing) is free of charge.
The costs of paper invoices are pointed out in the comparison. However, digital use is taken into account for the evaluation.
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Calculation basis for the rating
Annual fee
The annual fees and one-off fees are taken into account. Any discounts granted in the first year are not taken into account (but are indicated on the details page), only the standard fees for subsequent years.
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Domestic card payments
60 credit card payments per month in Switzerland in CHF.
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Card turnover per month
Turnover per month CHF 800 total.
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No influence on the rating
Mobile payment, etc.
Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, etc. - we all have different ideas about must-have features. For each account, we show you these functions in the detailed overview and in direct comparison - or you can use the filter function. However, such functions have no influence on the rating, as iPhone users, for example, are not interested in Samsung Pay (and vice versa).
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Cash withdrawal
No cash withdrawals are taken into account in the comparison calculation. However, the fees are shown on the respective detail page and in the direct comparison.
Cash withdrawals with credit cards are almost exclusively associated with high fees (usually CHF 10 to CHF 20 per withdrawal). Credit cards are therefore not suitable for cash withdrawals at ATMs. We recommend using a debit card for this purpose (see personal account comparison).
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Use abroad
Foreign purchases and purchases in foreign currency are not included in the rating calculation. However, we show the fees on the details page and in the direct comparison.
Payments abroad or in foreign currencies generally incur high fees (exchange rate surcharges, processing fees, etc.). There are suitable and inexpensive cards for use abroad that are specially designed for travelling and foreign purchases. However, there is no "all-rounder card" that offers very attractive conditions both in everyday life in Switzerland and abroad. We therefore recommend a separate card for use in Switzerland and abroad. [Editor's note: Comparison for foreign cards in progress]
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Payment in instalments
For the rating calculation, it is assumed that the credit card bill is paid on time and in full. The costs of instalment payments are shown on the details page and in the direct comparison.
With the instalment facility, the monthly bill can be paid in instalments within the credit limit. The use of the instalment facility is subject to interest and requires a successful credit check. The annual interest rate is usually a high 12% to 14%. We advise against using the instalment facility and only recommend the use of credit cards if the monthly bill is paid on time and in full. In this case, credit cards are attractive payment solutions thanks to cashback and bonus programmes. In order to use credit cards responsibly, you need to be able to meet your monthly repayment obligations without any problems. If you are not confident of this, you should use debit or prepaid cards.
The granting of credit is prohibited if it leads to over-indebtedness (Art. 3 UWG).
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Penalty fees
For the rating calculation, it is assumed that the credit card bill is paid on time and in full. The costs for reminder fees are shown on the details page and in the direct comparison.
The reminder fees usually range from CHF 20 to CHF 60. To prevent late payments, we recommend setting up LSV or eBill (possibly with activation of the standing authorisation for automatic payment initiation). Make sure that your account has sufficient funds for the debit if you have automated the direct debit.
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Insurances
Insurance policies
Insurance benefits are not taken into account for the rating calculation. However, if available, they are listed on the details page and in the direct comparison.
There is a wide range of insurances, such as shopping, travel cancellation, foreign travel health, luggage or car hire excess insurance. In general, the cheaper the credit card, the more limited the insurance cover. Insurance cover often only applies under strict conditions. As a rule, between 50% and 100% of the travel costs or purchases must be paid for with the credit card for the insurance to cover the expenses.
Become Wealthy does not recommend selecting credit cards on the basis of insurance benefits. Rather, when selecting a credit card, attention should be paid to the costs and cashback or bonus point programmes. Swiss credit cards usually offer little insurance cover. Only the most expensive cards (Gold or Platinum) offer meaningful protection depending on the risk, and this is accompanied by high annual fees. Where necessary, we recommend taking out separate insurance (especially supplementary health insurance for cover abroad or travel insurance). If you still want to take out credit card insurance, you should study the terms and conditions carefully.
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Welcome offers
Become Wealthy negotiates exclusive conditions whenever possible (e.g. starting credit). We indicate these benefits with an icon. Welcome offers have no influence on the rating.
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