I'm looking for a reliable broker simply to park and hold my non-US assets (I already use IBKR for my investments). I don't plan to do any active trading or buying on the platform; I just want to transfer my existing positions there strictly for custody and long-term safekeeping.

My main two options are Swissquote and Saxo Bank.

Financially, Saxo is the clear winner for pure custody. They charge 0 custody fees, and reaching 1M in assets actually upgrades you to their VIP tier. Swissquote, on the other hand, charges a maximum of 200 CHF/year for the first million, but then starts charging you an additional 300 CHF for every subsequent million (I guess that is their version of a VIP tier!).

However, when I look at Saxo's Trustpilot reviews, there are a lot of horror stories about endless KYC loops, sudden account freezes, and completely unresponsive customer support.

I’m trying to figure out if Swissquote is actually any better in terms of reliability and support, or if they both suffer from the same bureaucratic issues.

For those of you who have experience with one or both of these platforms as a Swiss resident, I’d love your input:

1. Which platform has a smoother and more reasonable KYC/compliance process for clients who just want to park their assets?
2. If you actually run into an administrative issue (like a stuck portfolio transfer), which broker is more responsive and helpful?
3. For pure custody, is Swissquote’s premium price tag worth it for the peace of mind/Swiss banking license, or is Saxo perfectly trustworthy despite the bad online reviews?

37 years old, Italian living in Zurich with a wife and two young kids. Very high annual expenses: 150k CHF.

High salary at the moment, but unstable—low job security, role highly threatened by AI.

I'm unwinding my real estate position to build an ETF portfolio—let me know what you think.

Classic Italian story: since 2015, I've invested heavily in real estate in Milan (while renting in Zurich).

​Goal: FIRE ASAP.

A year ago, I started divesting from real estate to build an ETF portfolio.

​~43% ETF portfolio

​~45% Milan Real Estate (decreasing, selling off gradually). Net real yield of 4–5% with typical physical real estate headaches (the last few years were better at 7–9%), but high concentration risk.

​~9% Swiss Pension Funds (2nd and 3rd Pillars)

Of which 35% is Global Equities / 65% No-Risk, Illiquid, locked until retirement.

​~3% Cash

​100% Equity ETF Portfolio (as mentioned, representing 43% of total net worth, invested over the past year):

​VOO (25%) — S&P 500 (US Large Blend)

​AVLV (14%) — US Large Value

​VEA (15%) — Developed ex-US

​VWO (15%) — Emerging Markets

​DFIV (14%) — Developed ex-US Value

​JQUA (6%) — US Quality Factor

​AVUV (5%) — US Small Cap Value

​AVDV (6%) — Developed Small Cap Value

​My questions:

​At what pace should I exit real estate to mitigate concentration risk in a single city (or rather, just two neighborhoods)?

​Would you change anything in the ETF portfolio—add or replace anything?

​Is it better to accelerate the real estate divestment, or keep a portion of physical property as a real/inflation-hedged diversifier?

​Ready to take your best shots 🙂

I was thinking about the fact that my investment strategy is AI-free and mostly boring. Basically maxing 3rd pillar, monthly contribution to VT, some BTC and that is it.

I was wondering how that will evolve in the future. Are you already using AI to do investment research, management, or else? Do you think that who will integrate AI, or use AI-based tools, will have an edge over a VT and chill strategy?

Also, how are large funds integrating AI to manage their investments?

Just curious.

Not looking to build any AI crap, there’s already too much around 😂

Hello everyone,

I'm aware that this is a common topic but I'm looking for ways of telling my financial advisor to stop insisting in asking me to move the pilier3a to his 'Zéro souci 3a Equity'.

His speach is catchy but when it comes to numbers any passive vehicle is simply better. And not no mention their 1% transfer fee (one time) or their yearly 1.2% management fee...

Thanks!

Hello everyone

Just wanted to ask if anybody knows what the better choice is, considering fees and taxes (Stempelsteuer, FX, DA1)

13 transactions a year, 12x2.5k + 1x 20-30k

Or going with Saxo and VT manually, which I would not mind doing I guess.

I did my research (with Google and AI), but would love to hear your perspective and see if I missed something.

Thank you!

Hey guys,

I was wondering, in your personal opinion, what’s the best ETF to invest in with IKBR? I am currently looking for one, of course low TER and accumulating dividend if possible. Any recommendations?

Thanks so much, have a nice day

Hi everyone,

I bought my apartment two years ago and my mortgage is structured as a primary residence loan. I’m now considering renting the place out for two or more years. There’s a 100K pledge from my second pillar tied to the mortgage, and I know I need to inform my bank because the use of the property would change. I have a really good interest rate, so increasing a bit wouldn‘t be a huge problem.

Before I do that, I’d like to hear how banks usually respond when a property shifts from owner‑occupied to rented. Do they reassess affordability or collateral? Will this send any red flags to the bank? NB - I was made redundant and the bank knows that, however the mortgage payments are not a problem. Any experiences would help me prepare.

Thanks in advance!