Share Capital & Banking
Capital deposit, bank accounts, and Swiss banking requirements
Understanding Share Capital
Share capital represents the initial financial commitment of shareholders to the company. In Switzerland, it has both legal and practical significance — it provides creditors with a minimum guarantee of the company's financial base.
GmbH Share Capital Rules
- Minimum: CHF 20,000
- Must be fully paid in before incorporation (100%, not just 50% like AG)
- Can be contributed as cash or in-kind (assets, IP, equipment)
- Divided into "Stammanteile" (quota shares) — minimum value CHF 100 each
- Shareholders listed publicly in the Commercial Register
Capital Deposit Process
Opening a capital deposit account (Kapitaleinzahlungskonto) requires presenting:
- Draft Articles of Association
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- Proof of residential address
- Source of funds declaration (AML compliance)
- Business plan or description of activities
Capital Deposit Account vs Business Account
The capital deposit account is temporary — it is blocked until the company is registered. Once registration is confirmed, the funds are released to the company's regular business account. This is a different account from the ongoing current account.
Opening a Business Bank Account
Swiss banks apply strict KYC/AML due diligence. For foreign-owned companies, the process requires:
- Certified copies of Commercial Register extract
- Articles of Association
- Passport and proof of address for all beneficial owners (>25% stake)
- Business plan and expected transaction volumes
- Justification of banking relationship with Switzerland
Recommended Banking Partners
VOZ has established partnerships with Swiss banking institutions that support foreign-owned companies:
- UBS — Switzerland's largest bank; strong for international companies; full online banking
- Valiant — Regional bank; competitive fees; excellent for SMEs in Zug
- Neon Business — Digital-first; faster onboarding; lower fees
- Frick Bank (Liechtenstein) — Strong for crypto/digital asset businesses
Timeline
Plan 3–6 weeks for bank account opening. Digital-first banks (Neon, Frick) can be faster. Traditional banks (UBS, CS) have more thorough due diligence but offer broader services including custody, FX, and trade finance.