Zürcher Kantonalbank Reviews 

I was a ZKB client across multiple entities and accounts for years, and always considered the bank a reliable, straightforward choice.
That changed when I received a letter terminating our banking relationship with a one-month deadline. The notice was so abrupt that both I and a colleague who works at ZKB initially assumed it was spam. When I called the contact number provided, the responsible person was on holiday,- leaving me with no guidance during a period that required urgent action.
Switching a bank where core payments are processed is not trivial. I took the initiative myself, and two days ago managed to secure everything needed to transition smoothly,- confirming to ZKB that the move could be completed within 48 hours.
What followed was the most unpleasant interaction I have had with any representative in any professional context. The approach used measures such as pressure, unwillingness to answer basic procedural questions, a condescending tone throughout, it all felt closer to intimidation than customer service. I genuinely pity someone who feels they need to operate that way.
This is not a reflection of ZKB as a whole. Other staff I dealt with were professional and decent. But if you find yourself in a similar situation, I would strongly recommend requesting a different contact person.
The bank itself is solid. One individual should not define it, but they can define your experience of a difficult moment.

I have a love-hate relationship with ZKB.

Their current account is amazing and (except for having a credit card) is completely FREE, they have a decent website and app. UBS, take note.

However, they also offer the ability to buy stocks and shares, and I got BADLY burned, not realising exactly how insanely expensive they are (particularly when you compare them to their competitors).

In June 2026, I made a one-week investment through ZKB, buying CHF 84,336 of US shares and selling them seven days later.

It went well ! The stock increased in value by 4%, giving a profit of 3,513 USD. However, ZKB charged a ridiculous 1,841 USD in buy and sell fees, wiping out my net profit to just 1,337 CHF.

In other words, ZKB kept more than 52% of the profit generated by the investment. The exchange rate was virtually unchanged during the holding period, so these costs were almost entirely brokerage and transaction fees.

After comparing the same transaction with other brokers, I discovered that Interactive Brokers would likely have charged less than USD 20 in total, Saxo Bank around CHF 20–60, and Swissquote around CHF 100–250. Had I used one of those platforms, I would have kept substantially more of the profit.

Investors should carefully review ZKB's fee structure before trading foreign shares, especially for transactions above CHF 50,000.

Basically, your stock needs to increase in value by 1.4%, just for you to break even. That's crazy.

Disclaimer: I've been a ZKB customer for many years, and I sent ZKB a copy of this review 5 days ago, to give them a chance to justify their fees, before submitting it.

I was expecting to receive a non-apologetic Swiss cliché about how their fees are all clearly explained in their website, but no. It was worse than that. They didn't reply.

You've been warned.

(Update)

I did email them again, to ask why they hadn't replied... and they sent me a copy of their fees document (!)

They claim to "do everything we can to be available to our customers both in person and online, unlike online banks. In addition, we offer a government guarantee".

Sure. Saxo Bank and Swissquote also have a government guarantee, and are also regulated by FINMA.

My simple advice... before EVER using ZKB to invest in shares, simply telephone them, and ask them what their fee will be.

The Company enplyees threaten and exceed authority and are racist , they take extreme liberties and don’t follow any rules and are disrespecful and racist towards anyone having Russian roots shouting and agressive ! One Woman there at Counter with her red lipstick was jumping off to Hit my body- because I have Russian roots ! But they are turning situation the Reverse - typical zurich trick of shrewdness and Blatant lies and intimidating other nation people - hoping they don’t have any notion of their rights - just because they are Not swiss

I wanted to open a business account for my company in appenzeller ausserhoden. You get a take in call from them, there they told me they have a "Gentle-agreement" with other Kanton banks that they not open account for clients outside of the region of influence.
I doubt that his is legal, it limits the free selection and they can change their rates when ever, you cannot leave to another bank anyway. Really bad.

Racist!

I pay CHF 30 a MONTH! Because, although I am a Swiss citizen, I was born in another country.

And yet, ZKB is 'supposed' to provide banking to residents of Kanton Zürich. For free. And I pay taxes.

As said: ZKB is a racist outfit.

Here's a message I received from ZKB after complaining about the huge financial loss ZKB caused me, plus 60 days and 40 emails time wasted they caused me and after being a loyal customer for 25 years. Total incompetence and lacking empathy and moral code.

Subject : unauthorisied transaction on my account,
from eBanking Support to xxxxx on 24.06.2025

Dear Mr xxxxxx

As we have not yet received any feedback from the correspondent bank, we will reimburse you directly for any loss incurred due to the exchange rate or interest. These two payments will be made today and should reach your BPI accounts within the next few days.

We are making these transfers to compensate you for our correspondent bank's error, and we consider this matter to be finally settled.
However, as you have already withdrawn your assets in full, and as we consider your language in this matter to be inappropriate and disrespectful towards our employees, we will terminate the business relationship with immediate effect.

Kind regards
Dario De Paola
Zürcher Kantonalbank
Telefon 0844 850 860 (Mo-Fr 8.00 - 18.00 Uhr)
Briefadresse: Postfach, 8010 Zürich, Switzerland

Mobile app is good and overall service is nice.

They were able to open an account for me even though I didn't have a residence card back than, I only had a registration confirmation. I liked the approach with personal appointments and how they treated me. I've met a lot of bad service due to my passport in the last years, but ZKB didn't do any of that.

Their app could be better, but it serves the purpose.

The ZKB owns Frankly app. I recently redeemed my investments and an amount of cash is left on the account. I re-invested some of that cash and wanted to see the performance before I potentially decide to invest more - I can’t do it. Once there’s any cash in your Frankly you can’t see investment performance- it somehow combines two and as a result you can’t see performance of your investments.

Additionally they use a really derogatory wording on their app advertising - it’s likely just lack of relevant language skills but at this level such things should really be done by professionals.

Unfortunately, I can't give 0 stars. If you have a problem, do not call them you will spend a lot of time on the phone, and you will end up with more problems than when you started.

Extremely poor service received this morning (22nd Jan 24) at Prime Tower branch by Mr. Vlodymir.
Went to the branch following the email received from ZKB after a new account request.
They need to verify my ID and signing the contract.
As simple as that, the employee at front desk told me that “they are too busy” to make the confirmation and I should go somewhere else.
This is an excellent example of how crappy a customer service can be.

In comparison to other Swiss banks, ZKB is quite good. very pleasant support and quite good range of services.