Meierhans criticizes stock transfer fees

Fees for transferring securities in Switzerland range from 60 to 120 francs, according to Price Surveillance.

Contesto

In brief - Securities transfer fees 60-120 CHF - Price surveillance critical - SECO may intervene ## Key facts - What: Securities transfer fees - When: 2025 - Where: Switzerland - Who: Price surveillance - Amount: 60-120 CHF per security Price surveillance chief Stefan Meierhans has criticized banking fees for securities transfers and account closures in Switzerland. According to Meierhans, these fees are high and lack a clear link to actual costs, significantly hindering customer mobility. The Price Surveillance (SPR) has conducted a market investigation into Swiss bank account fees for the third time, following previous investigations in 2015 and 2022. Fees for opening, maintaining, transferring, and closing salary accounts, savings accounts, securities accounts, pension accounts, and third-pillar accounts from 31 banks were examined. ### Fee analysis Meierhans and his team urged banks to abolish account closure fees and reduce securities transfer fees. The SPR found that such fees in 2025 range between 60 and 120 francs per transferred security but should be limited to the amount necessary to cover the costs of the operation. The surveillance also noted that progress has been made in this area since 2015. However, without an agreement between the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the banks, only a court can remove this obstacle to proper competition functioning. The ruling should qualify the fees as 'unfair trading conditions'. Meierhans hopes that the SECO will consider launching a pilot procedure for the legal review of such fees. ### Impact on cross-border workers High securities transfer fees can significantly impact cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and reside in Italy. These additional costs can make managing their investments and...

Dettagli operativi

• ## Practical Implications The high costs of transferring securities and closing accounts can have several practical implications for cross-border workers employed in Switzerland. These additional costs can influence the choice of bank and the management of investments, making the transfer of securities between different credit institutions less convenient. ### Procedure for Transferring Securities To transfer securities from one bank to another, a specific procedure must be followed. First, it is important to contact the destination bank to open a new securities deposit account. Subsequently, you will need to request the transfer of securities from the origin bank, providing the necessary information to complete the operation. The origin bank will charge the transfer fees, which can range from 60 to 120 francs for each transferred security. ### Comparison with the Previous Situation In 2015, the costs for transferring securities ranged from 50 to 200 francs. The reduction to a range between 60 and 120 francs represents significant progress, but not yet sufficient according to the SPR. Meierhans criticized the fact that banks increase fees during periods of declining interest margins, but only partially reduce them when market conditions improve. ### Future Scenarios If the SECO were to launch a pilot procedure for the legal control of banking fees, it might be possible to further reduce costs for customers. Furthermore, regulatory intervention could qualify the fees as 'unfair commercial conditions,' thus eliminating an obstacle to the proper functioning of competition. This could make it more convenient for cross-border workers to manage their investments and savings in Switzerland. ### Competition and Bank Offers Despite the criticisms, competition in terms of f...

Punti chiave

Concrete actions For cross-border workers who wish to transfer securities between Swiss banks, it is important to know the procedures and costs involved. Here are some steps to follow: 1. Contact the destination bank: Open a new securities account with the destination bank. 2. Request the transfer: Provide the origin bank with the necessary information to complete the transfer of securities. 3. Pay the transfer fees: The origin bank will charge transfer fees, which can range from 60 to 120 francs per each security transferred. 4. Monitor the transfer: Ensure that the transfer is completed correctly and that the securities are credited to the new account. ### Useful tools To calculate transfer fees and compare bank offers, you can use online tools such as the bank fee calculator. This tool can help you compare the fees of different banks and choose the most convenient option. ### Conclusion High fees for transferring securities and closing accounts can represent a significant obstacle for cross-border workers in Switzerland. However, with the right information and tools, you can best manage your investments and savings, minimizing additional costs. Use the bank fee calculator to compare bank offers and find the most convenient solution for your needs. Source: tio.ch

Punti chiave

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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs for transferring securities to Switzerland?
The costs for transferring securities to Switzerland range from 60 to 120 francs per each transferred security, according to Price Supervision.
How can I reduce the costs for transferring securities?
To reduce the costs for transferring securities, you can compare bank offers and use online tools like the banking fees calculator to find the most convenient solution.
What are the practical implications of high costs for transferring securities?
High costs for transferring securities can influence the choice of bank and the management of investments, making it less convenient to transfer securities between different credit institutions.

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