BCGE (Banque Cantonale de Genève)

BCGE is Geneva’s main cantonal bank and its XpatBanking section on the website is built specifically for the large international population the city hosts through its UN agencies, NGOs and diplomatic missions. Account setup is possible in English and the private banking team is accustomed to clients with more complex financial situations, including those holding assets in multiple currencies or coming from US tax reporting obligations.

The bank operates an online account opening service at self.bcge.ch and maintains 21 branches across Geneva for in-person support. For Geneva-based expats who plan to stay several years, BCGE’s full range of services, including mortgages, asset management and pension planning, makes it a viable long-term banking relationship rather than just a transactional account for day-to-day Swiss life.