https://www.reddit.com/r/geneva/comments/1igquni/are_you_going_to_pick_bcge_better_not/
created by tino-latino on 03/02/2025 at 14:54 UTC
0 upvotes, 6 top-level comments (showing 6)
Kind of a rant, as when I was picking a bank to open my savings account, I picked BCGE, thinking it was a good bank.
I just wanted to mention that BCGE would charge you 120 CHF per year to keep your account active when moving out of the country.
This charge is to send the information that you have an opened bank account with BCGE to the country where you are a tax resident.
This fee cannot be avoided, and it's not part of the original contract you will sign when opening a new account.
Instead, it will be added to your account when you move out of the country. The contract says they can free states that this fee after you change your home address outside of the country.
In addition, bank clerks are instructed to offer the option to close your account as the only way to prevent these fees.
It doesn't matter whether you have a savings or checking account with them; they will charge the fee regardless.
Additionally, the bank's internal service to deliver messages is not good, and they have already lost two certified mails I've sent to them in the past year. 🤡
Comment by tamberfly at 03/02/2025 at 15:45 UTC
14 upvotes, 0 direct replies
From my experience, that's on a low side, as KYC becomes much more demanding when having a client with residence out of Switzerland.
Take a phone and check with other banks, most of them will refuse to deal with you
https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/guide-to-moving-abroad/swiss-bank-account-five-things-to-know-about/88482159[1].
Do a simple Google search before posting rants.
Heck, bcge is praise for wanting to deal with this
https://www.swisscommunity.org/en/living-abroad/provisions-finances/swiss-banks
Comment by ReyalpybguR at 03/02/2025 at 15:43 UTC
10 upvotes, 0 direct replies
It’s absolutely normal…
Comment by SwissBloke at 03/02/2025 at 15:45 UTC
6 upvotes, 0 direct replies
This fee is standard in every bank for people living outside of the country. It's also in the terms of the contract and TOS
Comment by a1rwav3 at 03/02/2025 at 15:30 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I'm not sure that this fee for automatic exchange is not also present in other banks...
Comment by harunurhan at 03/02/2025 at 17:22 UTC
3 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I used to pay 360 to UBS for the same thing 🤷♂️
Comment by SnooGadgets8635 at 03/02/2025 at 17:25 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I use BCGE, don’t have much money, but they treat me like I do. Great service, if I need anything my account manager is always here to help. I think I barely pay anything to keep the account open.