Interactive Brokers vs ZKB, Switzerland
Interactive Brokers vs ZKB: which is the better broker for Swiss investors?
Same portfolio at both providers: CHF 50,000 to start, CHF 500 a month, 5% a year, held for 30 years. Interactive Brokers costs CHF 614 in total fees. Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) costs CHF 45'245, which is CHF 44'631 more, roughly 74 times as much. To run the numbers on your own portfolio, use the broker fee calculator on etfschweiz.ch.
Referral link: ibkr.com/referral/marco1592. The bonus is paid by Interactive Brokers. Using it costs you nothing extra.
Cost comparison, side by side
| What you pay for | Interactive Brokers | ZKB |
|---|---|---|
| Total fees over 30 years | CHF 614 | CHF 45'245 |
| Custody fee | None for normal accounts | Percentage based custody fee on the full portfolio value |
| Cost per trade | From USD 0.35 on US listings, from EUR 1.25 on European listings | Bank tariff, typically tens of francs per order |
| Currency conversion | Around 0.002% of the amount, minimum USD 2, at the interbank rate | Retail spread on every conversion |
| Swiss stamp duty | Not charged: the account sits outside Switzerland | Charged: 0.075% Swiss, 0.15% foreign securities |
Figures are indicative, based on published tariffs and moneyland.ch style comparisons for the portfolio described above. Tariffs change, so check both providers before you decide.
Where ZKB is genuinely good
- Cantonal guarantee and a very strong balance sheet
- Local branches and advisers
- Everything handled for you, including tax documents
Where it costs you
- The most expensive account in the comparison by a wide margin
- Fees are charged on the whole portfolio every single year
- Costs grow as your portfolio grows
My take
The safest feeling account in the list and the most expensive by far: CHF 45,245 against CHF 614 for the same portfolio.
Both accounts are legitimate and both are regulated. The question is what you are paying for. If you want a Swiss adviser and a Swiss tax statement handed to you, ZKB does that. If you want to keep as much of your return as possible, Interactive Brokers is the cheaper account and the paperwork takes about half an hour a year.