What does it mean to me that banks will earn more from commissions in 2026?

If you manage assets or invest at a bank, you'll likely see more explicit costs in the form of management fees, performance fees, or advisory services fees. Banks' profit from the core interest rate business remains compressed due to zero rates, so banks compensate with paid services. It's important to compare rates across multiple institutions, especially if your wealth is significant.

Am I sure if I deposited my money with a Swiss bank?

Yes. In Switzerland, deposits are protected by the Deposit Guarantee Fund up to CHF 100,000 per depositor and per bank. Although UBS reduced employment in 2025 due to integration with Credit Suisse, the banking system remains stable. There is no risk of loss of deposits up to the guaranteed limit.

What ensures banks will continue to grow in 2026?

The ASB is based on forecasts from more than half of banking institutions (51%) that forecast growth in operating results. No institution expects declines. However, forecasts remain subject to geopolitical and commercial risks. Switzerland's strength as a financial hub (legal certainty, political stability) remains the main pillar of international trust according to ASB.

If I work in a bank, do I have to fear for my place in 2026?

No. Although the sector declined by 2.5% in 2025 due to the UBS-Credit Suisse merger, 60% of institutions expect a stable number of employees and a third are targeting hiring in 2026. Apart from UBS, other institutions have increased their staff. The outlook is moderately positive, especially in the wealth management and wealth management segments.

How can I compare bank costs and plan my investment strategy?

Use the [calcolatore di stipendio e patrimonio](nav:calculator) to plan your social security contributions and optimize your tax burden. Directly review banks' prospectuses, particularly for management fees, performance fees, and operating costs. For social security (LPP/BVG, third pillar, AVS), consult the [guide dedicate](nav:pension).

ASB forecasts bank growth in 2026 (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 31 August 2026

Modern office building in Swiss financial district with Swiss flag and contemporary architecture

Swiss banks will continue to grow in 2026 according to the Swiss Bankers Association. Assets managed over CHF 10,000 billion, commissions driving growth.

Context

In a nutshell

Assets managed by Swiss banks over CHF 10,119.5 billion (H1 2026)
ASB predicts positive development despite zero interest rates
Employment: -2.5% in 2025 (UBS only), half of the institutes hired in 2026

Key facts

What: Growth of the Swiss banking sector according to ASB (Swiss Bankers' Association)
When: 2025 data + 2026 forecasts
Where: Switzerland
Who: Swiss banks, ASB, Keystone-ATS
Amount: Assets managed 10'119.5 billion francs (end H1 2026)

The Swiss Bankers Association (SBA) confirms a positive outlook for the sector in 2026: Swiss banks will continue to grow despite a difficult business and geopolitical environment and zero interest rates. The signal comes from the ASB's banking barometer, which tracks the 2025 financial statements and the outlook for the twelve months to come.

In 2025, assets managed by Swiss banks grew by 4.8% to CHF 9.729 billion - an unprecedented level. Growth continued in the first half of 2026: funds under management exceeded the threshold of 10,000 billion francs, standing at 10,119.5. These increases reflect the resilience of the stock markets, which resulted in a sharp increase in securities portfolios. Both the assets of Swiss and foreign customers have grown.

Cross-border asset management, a pillar of growth

Switzerland maintains

Operational details

Commissions and services: the engine of growth in 2026

By 2026, more than half of the institutions surveyed expect a further increase in operating profit and a third a stagnation, due to the situation on rates. No institution expects a decline. Fees and services are expected to remain the engine of growth, with 73% of banks forecasting an increase in results in these sectors. Interest rate revenues should remain under pressure.

This evolution has concrete implications for those who save and invest in Switzerland. Compressing margins on interest rates means that banks will increasingly rely on fees for wealth management services, financial advice and ancillary products. For the average customer, this can translate into more visible costs in the form of management fees or performance fees, while rates on savings accounts may remain low.

Foreign customers are expected to continue to flow to Switzerland: political stability and institutional solidity remain attractive. As a result, Swiss banks will further expand their offering of cross-border wealth management and asset management services, sectors where commission margins are higher than those of traditional credit.

Banking: mixed but optimistic scenario

The employment situation in the sector is complex but

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

What These Forecasts Mean for Investors and Savers

The projected growth of the banking sector reflects steady demand from international clients for Swiss financial services. The expected increase in fees and wealth management services suggests that banks will continue to invest in specialized advisory services, customized portfolio solutions, and digital services. If you are planning to manage your wealth—including pension planning related to LPP/BVG and the third pillar—this is an opportune moment to compare bank offerings and evaluate the overall costs of the services you pay for.

In a zero interest rate scenario, the traditional source of bank revenue (the spread between lending rates and funding rates) remains narrow. Banks compensate with fee-based services: wealth management, investment advisory, insurance products, payment services. This structural shift was visible in 2025, when commission and service income rose by 6.5% while interest income declined by 0.8%.

Recommended Procedure and Next Steps

If you intend to optimize your financial position in a low interest rate context:

1. Review the overall costs at your bank—management fees, performance fees, operating costs. Tariffs vary significantly between institutions.

2. Compare wealth management options—independent or semi-independent, if you have a significant portfolio.

3. Check the conditions of your third pillar 3a and occupational pension (LPP/BVG)—with low rates, performance depends increasingly on investment choices.

4. Use the salary and wealth calculator to plan pension contributions and optimize your tax burden in line with your investment strategy.

…

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to me that banks will earn more from commissions in 2026?: If you manage assets or invest at a bank, you'll likely see more explicit costs in the form of management fees, performance fees, or advisory services fees. Banks' profit from the core interest rate business remains compressed due to zero rates, so banks compensate with paid services. It's important to compare rates across multiple institutions, especially if your wealth is significant.
Am I sure if I deposited my money with a Swiss bank?: Yes. In Switzerland, deposits are protected by the Deposit Guarantee Fund up to CHF 100,000 per depositor and per bank. Although UBS reduced employment in 2025 due to integration with Credit Suisse, the banking system remains stable. There is no risk of loss of deposits up to the guaranteed limit.
What ensures banks will continue to grow in 2026?: The ASB is based on forecasts from more than half of banking institutions (51%) that forecast growth in operating results. No institution expects declines. However, forecasts remain subject to geopolitical and commercial risks. Switzerland's strength as a financial hub (legal certainty, political stability) remains the main pillar of international trust according to ASB.
If I work in a bank, do I have to fear for my place in 2026?: No. Although the sector declined by 2.5% in 2025 due to the UBS-Credit Suisse merger, 60% of institutions expect a stable number of employees and a third are targeting hiring in 2026. Apart from UBS, other institutions have increased their staff. The outlook is moderately positive, especially in the wealth management and wealth management segments.
How can I compare bank costs and plan my investment strategy?: Use the [calcolatore di stipendio e patrimonio](nav:calculator) to plan your social security contributions and optimize your tax burden. Directly review banks' prospectuses, particularly for management fees, performance fees, and operating costs. For social security (LPP/BVG, third pillar, AVS), consult the [guide dedicate](nav:pension).