Changing Stockbrokers: A Practical Guide

There are several important aspects to consider before moving your investment portfolio to a different bank. This moneyland.ch guide provides useful information on this topic, and explains your options for changing stockbrokers.

Why should I change stockbrokers?

There are various reasons why you may want to move to a different service provider. You may simply be dissatisfied with your current bank’s investment services. Perhaps you do not like the online trading platform or the mobile app, and prefer the digital services offered by another bank. The guide to choosing the right stockbroker explains differences between trading platforms, and tells you how to find the right match.

Another thing to look at are the costs. There are big differences in the custody fees and brokerage fees charged by different banks. If you determine that the fees charged by your current bank are much higher than those charged by competitors, then moving to a more affordable service provider can pay off. You can easily see how your current stockbroker compares with other banks using the interactive online trading comparison on moneyland.ch.

What should I pay attention to when choosing a new stockbroker?

Differences between Swiss stockbrokers go much further than just the fees and charges. There are also big differences between the services offered, the online trading platforms, mobile apps, customer services, the selection of assets that can be traded, and peripheral services like e-tax statements – to name just a few. The checklist for choosing the right stockbroker gives you more detailed information.

Before you open a new stock brokerage account, it is worth taking some time to get to know the different offers available. Some banks offer a demo version of their online trading platforms that you try out without committing real money or opening an account.

Is changing stockbrokers complicated?

Much like opening a regular bank account, opening a new stock brokerage account is pretty simple. But leaving your existing stockbroker requires more effort. Before you can close your old stock brokerage account, you have to either sell your securities, or have them transferred to your new stockbroker. If you sell your assets, the money earned must be transferred to a different bank account. If you have any securities that can no longer be bought and sold, you can sign an agreement by which you give up these assets. 

You can submit your request to close the account by mail, or in many cases also via online banking or in the mobile app.

What must I do if I want to keep my investments?

If you want to change stockbrokers but do not want to sell your existing investments, then you have two options:

• Securities transfers: Your securities are transferred from your old stockbroker to your new one. 
• Sell out and rebuy: You sell all of your existing securities in your old stock brokerage account, and you buy all of the same securities again using your new stockbroker.

Which option is most suitable for you depends primarily on the fees charged (more information below).

Which fees apply?

The costs of moving an investment portfolio to a new stockbroker can be very high. Exactly how much you can expect to pay depends primarily on whether you want to transfer your existing securities, or sell them and then rebuy them using your new stockbroker. Regardless of which option you choose, a move is generally expensive, though costs do vary between service providers. Before you decide on which option to use, you should first compare the costs of the two, based on your specific situation.

When you transfer your securities, you will normally be charged securities transfer fees – which can be very high. Depending on the service provider, the fees can be as high as 120 francs per securities title (as per January, 2026). If you hold a lot of different securities, the total cost can be substantial.

Tip: Ask your new stockbroker if they cover the transfer fees charged by your old bank. Some stockbrokers cover all or part of this cost as a welcome benefit for new customers. You can find more information, as well as an overview of fees, in the moneyland.ch guide to securities transfer fees.

In many cases, it works out cheaper to sell the investments in your old stock brokerage account, and then buy the same investments again using your new account. In this case, you pay brokerage fees when you sell and then again when you rebuy the securities. Brokerage fees too vary broadly between banks. In most cases, they are charged as a percentage of the transacted amount, but some brokers have flat brokerage fees. If, for example, you sell assets worth 10,000 francs and your old stockbroker charges a fee of 0.1 percent, the cost of the transaction will be 10 francs. The interactive online trading comparison on moneyland.ch gives you a clear overview of brokerage fees.

Which documents do I need to provide when moving my portfolio?

Normally, all you need to do is fill out and submit a securities transfer form. Typically, you must provide your personal information and the details about your new stock brokerage account. You can get this form from either your old stockbroker or your new one.

If you want to transfer all of your securities, you usually have the option of ticking a single box stating this. That way, you do not have to list every single position to be transferred individually. On the other hand, if you just want to transfer specific securities, you will have to list each title to be transferred, including its ISIN or other identification number and the number of units.

Alternatively, you can also opt to sell your assets. 

How long does a securities transfer take?

There is no standardized answer to this question. A securities transfer often takes between two and five working days, but can take weeks or even months in some cases.

The time required depends on which banks are involved and which securities you want to transfer. Assets that are traded on less widely-used exchanges, in particular, can take more time to transfer. If you want to transfer stocks, bonds, ETFs, and other securities, you should be prepared to wait for some time for transfers to complete. 

Can I trade assets while they are being transferred?

The answer here is very clear: Securities you transfer remain blocked for the entire transfer term. You can only sell them after they have been transferred to your new stock brokerage account. That is not the case when you sell your existing securities and rebuy the same securities with your new broker.

Are there securities that cannot be transferred?

You can normally only transfer securities that are also offered and traded by your new stockbroker. There are certain securities that often cannot be transferred, including certain penny stocks with very poor liquidity, and securities that are sanctioned or otherwise restricted. Some banks do not transfer derivatives. 

How would a transfer affect my savings plan?

It generally is not possible to transfer an entire savings plan. That means you will have to create a new savings plan after moving to your new stockbroker. You can find detailed information in the moneyland.ch guide to savings plans based on mutual funds and ETFs.

Can I transfer fractional shares?

You can only transfer full shares. It is not possible to transfer fractional shares from one stockbroker to another. If, for example, you own 2.4 shares in a certain company, you will only be able to transfer the two whole shares. The remaining 0.4 in fractional shares will have to be sold. You can transfer the resulting money to your new brokerage account.

How should I go about changing stockbrokers?

The process of changing stockbrokers can roughly be broken down into five steps:

• Find a new stockbroker: Compare stock brokerage accounts based on your specific needs, and choose the most suitable stockbroker.
• Open a custody account: Once you have settled on a new stockbroker, open a stock brokerage account with them.
• Compare the costs of a securities transfer versus selling and rebuying: Check whether it would be cheaper for you to transfer your existing assets, or to sell them and then rebuy them with your new account. It is also worth checking if your new stockbroker covers securities transfer fees for new customers. 
• Make the move: Order the securities transfer or sell your securities and rebuy them using your new stockbroker.
  Close your old account: Instruct your old stockbroker to close your old stock brokerage account.

More on this topic:
Compare Swiss stockbrokers now
Securities transfer fees compared
How to choose the right stockbroker