The Real Struggle to Open a Bank Account in Switzerland – What No One Tells You

Everyone talks about how "easy" it is to open a company in Switzerland. Few talk about what happens after you register – when you actually try to open a real business bank account.

a man and woman sitting at a desk with a clipboard in bank

The "Deposit Account" Trap

Most people assume that once the company is registered, everything flows.
But opening a capital deposit account with a c/o address is not guaranteed.

Banks are increasingly strict – especially if:

You don’t have Swiss residency
You use a virtual or c/o address
Your business is in a "sensitive" industry (consulting, trading, crypto)

Many consultants never mention this upfront.
You pay for the setup, and only later discover your capital is “nowhere to deposit.”

And Then – the Real Account

After registration, you need a fully operational business account. This means KYC, proof of activity, and a real address (not c/o).

Some banks deny the account simply because your company doesn't look “active” enough. And this part? No consultant tells you how long it takes, or how many rejections you might face.

My Personal Experience

When I opened my Swiss company, everything seemed smooth.
I hired a consultant. Paid for the virtual office. Got the notary. Registered.

But nobody told me that:

Banks would refuse to open a deposit account because of my c/o address
After 6 months of struggling, I still had no real business bank account
The same consultant – who said nothing about these risks – suddenly withdrew the c/o address
→ leaving my company without a legal seat

I was left alone. And I learned the hard way that “setup services” often skip the hard parts.

Why Transparency Matters

If you’re planning to open a company in Switzerland – ask the hard questions before paying:

Will this address work with banks?
What’s the backup if they reject it?
Do you support bank account applications – or just send me to the bank website?

Final Words + Free Resource

Starting a business in Switzerland is absolutely possible – but only if you understand the full picture.

That’s why I created HeliGlo Strategy:

To share real stories, useful templates, and honest help for entrepreneurs who want to do it the right way.

Get the free Starter Kit here: heliglo.com/starter-kit