PostFinance, profit down in the first half

Context

TL;DR

• PostFinance closes first half with net profit of 103 million CHF (-6,3%)
• Interest income plunges by 10,6% due to difficult economic environment
• Customer assets grow by 3,3% to 117,5 billion; dynamic investments

Key facts

• What: PostFinance reports a decline in profit and interest income in the first half
• When: First half (results published in official report)
• Where: Bern (headquarters)
• Who: PostFinance, the financial subsidiary of Posta Svizzera
• Amount: 103 million CHF in net profit (-6,3% compared with previous year)
• Interest income: 285 million CHF (-10,6%)
• Customer assets: 117,5 billion CHF (+3,3%)

PostFinance closes the first half with results under pressure: net profit fell to 103 million francs, marking a decline of 6,3% compared with the same period of the previous year. The main cause lies in the decrease in revenue from interest-related activities, the bank’s main source of income: these revenues fell by 10,6%, reaching 285 million francs. As highlighted in the report published today, the difficult economic environment is weighing on the accounts of the financial subsidiary of Posta Svizzera.

Not all segments suffered equally. The result from commission and service activities grew by 1,8%, reaching 171 million francs. Trading activities also recorded a positive performance, increasing by 3,9% to 107 million. Overall, however, operating revenue contracted by 5,5%, falling to 613 million francs.

Costs down slightly, but operating result plummets

On the cost front, PostFinance achieved a reduction of 2,3%, reaching 466 million francs. Despite this spending restraint, operating result plunged by 15,6%: the decline in interest income offset the benefits of cost control.

A positive note comes from the balance sheet: customer assets increased by 3,3% compared with the end of 2025, reaching 117,5 billion francs. Investment activities performed particularly dynamically, according to the bank itself. However, management emphasizes that the economic environment remains difficult: uncertainty in financial markets, the acceleration of technological change and regulatory changes are factors affecting the outlook for the coming months.

Operational details

What these numbers mean for Swiss savers

The decline in interest income—the most important line item for PostFinance—is not a coincidence. It reflects a macroeconomic environment in which interest rates remain under pressure. When central banks such as the BNS keep benchmark rates low or moderate, the interest margin (the spread between the rate the bank pays on deposits and the rate it earns on loans) is squeezed. For Swiss savers, this means that the rates offered on current accounts and deposits remain limited.

However, the simultaneous increase in customer assets (+3,3%) represents an interesting signal: despite low returns, customers continue to rely on PostFinance and are actually increasing the funds they deposit. This could indicate a rebalancing: many savers are moving away from simple deposits toward managed investment products, where banks charge fees rather than earning interest margins.

Revenue structure in transition: from interest to fees

The clearest finding from PostFinance's results is a slow but structural transition. Interest income is declining (–10,6%), while fee income (+1,8%) and trading revenue (+3,9%) are growing. This pattern reflects the global transformation of the banking sector: from “passive” services (collecting deposits, earning the spread) to “active” services (advisory, wealth management, trading).

For the average saver, the message is twofold: if they leave their money in a PostFinance current account, rates will not improve soon; if they consult the bank's advisory services for investments and wealth planning, they encounter a growing sector. PostFinance, like all Swiss banks, operates in an environment marked by uncertainty in the financial markets and accelerating technological and regulatory change. Geopolitical uncertainty, market movements and pressure for regulatory compliance (regulations on transparency, anti-money laundering and ESG governance) entail adaptation costs that affect margins. In a scenario of this kind, focusing on fee-based services (rather than on interest margins) becomes strategic for banks.

Useful tools for planning

To estimate your pension strategy, try pianificatore pensionistico and simulatore 3° pilastro.

Key points

How to manage your savings in this context

Faced with an environment of limited interest returns and economic uncertainty, Swiss savers have some concrete options.

Review of deposit structure. If the rates on your current PostFinance accounts have become too low, it is worth comparing them with those offered by other banks through online comparison sites. Even differences of 0,1–0,2% on large deposits result in significant changes in annual returns. For small balances (below CHF 10.000), the difference may be smaller, but it is still worth checking.

Retirement planning: LPP and pillar 3a. If your current account does not generate returns, pillar 3a is an avenue to explore. Contributions are deductible from federal and cantonal taxes, and the money grows tax-free until 5 years before retirement. For anyone earning a Swiss salary, it is an underused instrument. PostFinance itself offers pillar 3a products, as do other banks and insurers. Calculate your retirement plan to see the tax benefit.

Managed investments and SNB monitoring

Managed investments: opportunities and costs. PostFinance emphasizes that investment activity was particularly dynamic in the first half of the year. This means that more and more clients are entrusting their asset management to the bank. Before choosing a managed mandate, check the annual fees: differences of 0,3–0,5% per year can significantly erode returns over time. Always ask for an estimate of the actual fee (management fee + transaction fees + hidden costs).

Monitor SNB decisions. The Swiss National Bank's next moves (discount rates, policy rates) will directly affect the operating environment of PostFinance and all banks. If rates rise (an unlikely scenario in the short term, but possible in the medium to long term), returns on deposits could improve. Conversely, stable low rates mean that it is worth seeking alternative returns (investments, retirement planning, structured products).

Immediate action: compare rates, optimize your tax situation. Download the latest terms and conditions for your account from PostFinance (guaranteed interest, renewal terms). Then use il calcolatore online to see how your gross and net figures vary based on different income and deduction scenarios. If you identify room for improvement (for example, by contributing more to pillar 3a or diversifying deposits), act immediately: 2026 still offers time to optimize your tax situation.

Source: tio.ch