Switzerland’s First Private Digital Bank is Open for Business

Swiss digital bank Alpian received its banking license from Finma in April. The launch of its private banking app marks the start of business operations.

Alpian bills itself as the first Finma-licensed digital private bank in Switzerland. The app, through which the bank exclusively offers its services, is now available for download in the Apple and Google Play Stores, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The bank’s digital service geared toward mobile devices, combines everyday services and private banking, bringing a new combination of banking and investment services to the market. The hybrid concept combines a secure, state-of-the-art banking platform with the support and advice of experienced wealth advisors, it said.

The offering is designed to give affluent clients access to services otherwise reserved for the clientele of traditional private banks. It offers professional and highly personalized services at a management fee of 0.75 percent which Alpian calls «competitive».

A unique selling point compared to other neo-banks is a video call function that can be used to contact advisors from within the app. Personal contact with advisors is an indispensable part of the offering, according to Alpian.

The digital bank, originally launched by the Geneva-based Reyl Group, received its banking license from Finma in the spring after a two-year lead time. According to the information previously provided, it intends to offer its services exclusively to Swiss customers. The target group is between 100,000 and one million Swiss francs of assets.