Brief Review

Savings & Investment

Switzerland’s stock exchange is the SWX Swiss Exchange, based in Zurich, and created as an automated system in 1995 from the merging of the original floor trading systems at Geneva (1850), Zurich (1873) and Basel (1876). It is run by an association of 55 banks, each of which have equal voting rights in the matter of decision making concerning its management and regulation. It is the sixth largest stock exchange in the world and the third largest in Europe. It trades stocks, warrants and bonds, in addition to other securities.

You must use a licensed broker in order to trade, however, there are a wide range of brokerage services available, from discount brokers where you manage your own account online or by phone, to full service brokerages who are able to provide investment advice and management services. Most banks can also help you manage your investments.

The Swiss are very thrifty and have one of the highest rates of savings in the world, which is a large part of the reason why interest rates are still relatively low. Just about everyone had a savings account, and Switzerland is one of the least debt-ridden countries in Europe.