UBS Group AG — Switzerland

UBS Group AG — Switzerland

Brief history and founding

UBS Group AG traces its roots to two 19th-century Swiss banks: the Union Bank of Switzerland (founded 1862) and the Swiss Bank Corporation (founded 1872). The two institutions merged in 1998 to form UBS AG, creating one of the world’s largest and most diversified financial services firms. In its modern corporate structure, UBS Group AG is the publicly listed global holding company headquartered in Zurich, with principal operating subsidiaries that include UBS AG, UBS Switzerland AG, UBS Global Wealth Management, UBS Investment Bank and UBS Asset Management.

A notable recent development in the bank’s history was its March 2023 acquisition of Credit Suisse in a government-mediated transaction aimed at stabilizing the Swiss and global financial system. The transaction and the events around it reinforced UBS’s role as a systemically important financial institution in Switzerland and globally.

Type of bank

UBS is a diversified global bank operating across multiple business lines:

• Wealth management and private banking (the largest segment by client assets)
• Investment banking (capital markets, advisory, trading)
• Asset management (mutual funds, institutional mandates)
• Commercial and retail banking services in Switzerland (through UBS Switzerland AG)

As a universal bank serving retail, corporate and institutional clients, UBS combines elements of retail/commercial banking for its domestic Swiss business with global private banking, investment bank and asset management operations.

Key services offered

UBS offers a broad range of services across client segments:

• Personal banking: current accounts, savings accounts, debit and credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, payment services, digital banking and mobile apps (primarily in Switzerland through UBS Switzerland AG)
• Private banking and wealth management: bespoke wealth planning, investment advisory, discretionary portfolio management, trust and fiduciary services, family office services and lending against securities
• Business and corporate banking: business accounts, commercial loans, trade finance, cash management and treasury services for small, medium and large enterprises in Switzerland and internationally
• Investment banking: mergers & acquisitions advisory, equity and debt capital markets, sales & trading, research and prime brokerage
• Asset management: mutual funds, institutional portfolio management, ETFs, alternative investments and sustainable/ESG investment strategies
• Digital services and platforms: online account management, robo-advisory/offers in some jurisdictions, electronic trading and client portals

Notable features or specializations

• Global wealth management leadership: UBS is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest wealth managers, serving high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals.
• Integrated advisory model: the bank combines investment banking insights, research and asset management capabilities to serve institutional and private clients.
• Focus on sustainability: UBS has expanded sustainable investing products and advisory services and publishes research on ESG topics.
• Private banking and family office expertise: tailored solutions for complex estates, tax-efficient structures, philanthropy and succession planning.
• Research and markets capability: UBS Investment Bank provides macro, equity and fixed-income research and cross-asset market services.

Regulatory status and deposit protection

UBS Group AG and its principal banking subsidiaries (notably UBS AG and UBS Switzerland AG) are supervised by Swiss financial regulators. Key elements of its regulatory status include:

• Primary regulator: Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) supervises UBS’s banking activities in Switzerland.
• Global designation: UBS is designated a global systemically important bank (G-SIB) and is subject to enhanced capital, liquidity and resolvability requirements set by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and implemented by FINMA and other authorities.
• Too-big-to-fail framework: UBS is subject to Swiss “too-big-to-fail” rules, including recovery and resolution planning, higher loss-absorbing capacity and operational requirements.
• Deposit protection: Retail deposits at Swiss banks that are members of the Swiss deposit insurance scheme (esisuisse) are protected up to CHF 100,000 per depositor, per bank. Coverage applies only to eligible deposits and is subject to scheme terms and conditions. Large or institutional balances and certain types of accounts (e.g., some securities accounts) may have different treatment.

Note: Regulatory frameworks evolve. Clients should consult FINMA, esisuisse and UBS for current details on protections and regulatory measures.

How to open an account (general overview)

The process to open a bank account with UBS depends on the client type (private individual, business, non-resident or high-net-worth client) and jurisdiction. General steps include:

1. Choose account type: retail current/savings account, mortgage or private banking relationship. Minimum balance or eligibility requirements may apply for private banking or wealth management relationships.
2. Prepare documentation: valid government-issued ID (passport or national ID), proof of residence, tax identification (for CRS/FATCA compliance), proof of income or assets where required. Businesses will need incorporation documents, corporate registration, beneficial owner information and authorized signatory details.
3. KYC and AML checks: UBS conducts Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) due diligence. Additional documentation or interviews may be required for non-residents or complex structures.
4. Application and signature: applications can be initiated online in some markets, by phone or in person at a branch or through a relationship manager for private clients. Legal agreements must be signed.
5. Account activation and funding: after verification, the account is activated and may require an initial deposit. Digital access (online banking credentials and cards) is provided per product.

Non-resident applicants should be prepared for enhanced due diligence and potential restrictions based on local regulations and cross-border banking rules. For private banking, minimum asset thresholds are common.

Contact information and website

• Head office: Bahnhofstrasse 45, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
• General switchboard (Swiss headquarters): +41 44 234 1111
• Website: https://www.ubs.com
• Investor relations and regulatory information: available via the UBS website (www.ubs.com) under "Investor Relations" and "About UBS" sections

For specific account opening procedures, fee schedules and product availability, prospective clients should consult the UBS website or contact a local UBS branch or relationship manager. Regulatory protections and service terms vary by country and client type.