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Cornèrtrader experience Cornèrtrader review review of Cornèrtrader experience report

Cornèrtrader experience 2025 - Trading, banking and card in one system

Cornèrtrader is Cornèr Bank's online platform that combines trading, banking and payment transactions in one integrated system. With over 40,000 financial instruments, multicurrency accounts and a free Visa debit card, the provider is positioning itself as a practical alternative to separate bank-broker solutions.

In this experience report, you will find out how the integrated system works, what practical advantages it offers and for whom the solution is worthwhile. You will receive all the important information about Cornèrtrader fees, functions and honest comparisons with alternatives.

Table of contents

What is Cornèrtrader?

Cornèrtrader is the online platform of Cornèr Bank (founded in 1952) and combines trading, banking and payment transactions in one system. Since 2012, the platform has offered access to over 40,000 financial instruments on 22 global exchanges.

The concept: Instead of having separate accounts with your bank and broker, you get trading access, multi-currency accounts and a Visa debit card from a single source. Trading profits are immediately available by card and tax documentation is centralised.

The FINMA-regulated Cornèr Bank is the basis behind the platform, deposits are protected up to CHF 100,000 by the Swiss deposit protection scheme.

The integrated system: Trading + Banking + Card

Cornèrtrader differs from conventional brokers in that it seamlessly integrates all financial services. The three main advantages:

Instant liquidity: Trading profits are available directly via debit card - without the 2-3 day waiting period associated with separate bank-broker solutions.

Centralised tax documentation: A single tax statement covers all activities (trading, banking, card transactions) - saves time and reduces the risk of errors in tax returns.

Interest income on cash positions: While pure brokers often pay 0%, you receive interest on your balances in CHF, EUR and USD (as of August 2025: CHF 0%, EUR 0.5%, USD 1% up to CHF 50,000 per currency).

Multi-asset trading: from shares to cryptocurrencies

Cornèrtrader offers access to all common asset classes via one platform: Swiss and international equities, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, forex, derivatives and structured products.

The practical advantage: If you buy US shares, they are automatically debited from your USD sub-account. If you receive Swiss dividends, these are credited to your CHF account and are immediately available by card - all without complicated transfers between different providers.

Platform features: Dashboard, app & usability

Modular dashboard: Cornèrtrader's customisable dashboard allows you to create and save different layout views. This gives you optimised screens for trading, portfolio overview and banking.

Cornèrtrader Dashboard ETF purchase review test report

User friendliness:

  • Intuitive navigation: All functions logically structured
  • Customisable layouts: Configure the dashboard according to your needs
  • Real-time updates: Live quotes and instant order confirmations
  • Multilingualism: German, French, Italian, English

iCornèr App: The mobile app offers full access to all functions - from card management to transfers and limit settings. The iCornèr app is intuitive and well designed. 

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Account models at a glance

Cornèrtrader offers four account levels that are tailored to the different needs and investment sizes of clients. You don't have to choose anything; the appropriate model is automatically assigned to you depending on the transaction volume.

  • Consistency: Entry-level account from CHF 1,000, ideal for beginners.
  • Solidity: From CHF 100,000 for experienced investors.
  • Opportunity: Minimum investment of CHF 250,000 for professional investors.
  • Energy: From CHF 500,000 for frequent traders with high volumes.

 

The main difference between the various models is the trading fees. The more you trade, the more favourable the transactions become.

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Cornèrtrader fees at a glance

Cornèrtrader's fee structure is similar to other Swiss brokers. The platform also does not charge a custody account fee, which makes long-term holding of securities more cost-effective. This means you can create a custody account free of charge and hold your securities for the long term without any problems.

Here are the most important Cornèrtrader costs for equity and ETF trading for the "Consistency" account, i.e. from CHF 1,000:

Type of feeAmountdetails
Swiss shares0,12%At least CHF 9 (Consistency)
US equities0,15%At least USD 15 (Consistency)
Currency conversion0,5%For foreign currency transactions
Stamp duty CH0,075%On Swiss titles
Stamp duty abroad0,15%On foreign titles
Tax statementCHF 20 + VATMandatory annually
Custody feesCHF 0No running costs
Inactivity feesCHF 0No costs if not used

If you want to trade infrequently and only small quantities, the minimum fees are relatively high. However, the lack of custody fees is a major advantage.

The platform also no longer charges any inactivity fees. This means you can safely leave your securities account untouched for some time without having to pay anything.

Cornèrtrader costs in comparison

Example: Diversified investor with a CHF 50,000 portfolio

Separate solution (traditional big bank + separate broker):

  • Custody account fees at major Swiss banks: CHF 90-200/year
  • Premium debit card: CHF 50-80/year
  • Tax statements (bank + broker separately): CHF 40-60/year
  • Typical total costs: CHF 180-340/year

Cornèrtrader integrated:

  • Deposit fees: CHF 0
  • Debit card: CHF 0
  • Tax statement (complete): CHF 20 + VAT/year
  • Interest income on cash position: Available (in contrast to pure brokers)
  • Annual savings: CHF 140-300+ due to cancellation of basic fees

The key difference: Cornèrtrader offers interest income on balances in CHF, EUR and USD, while pure brokers usually pay 0%. As of August 2025, for example, CHF 0%, EUR 0.5% and USD 1% (up to CHF 50,000 per currency, credited quarterly). Interest rates may vary, but are generally fair and in line with the market.

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Advantages and disadvantages at a glance

Advantages

  • Integrated efficiency: Trading, banking and payment transactions from a single source
  • Immediate access to liquidity: Trading profits available directly by card
  • Cost optimisation: No custody account fees, free debit card, interest earned on credit balances
  • Simplified tax documentation: One tax statement for all financial activities
  • Multi-currency management: CHF, EUR, USD in one account with favourable exchange rates
  • FINMA-regulated security: Swiss banking standards with deposit protection up to CHF 100,000
  • Global market access: 22 international stock exchanges via one platform
  • Multi-asset trading: From Swiss equities to cryptocurrencies

Disadvantages

  • Higher minimum fees: CHF 9 minimum (consistency) for small transactions (vs. CHF 5 for competitors)
  • Complexity for beginners: Many functions can overwhelm beginners
  • Currency conversion fee: 0.5% for foreign currency transactions
  • Platform migration 2024: Changeover led to temporary customer complaints
  • Limited specialisation: Less focus on individual areas than specialised providers
  • Dependence on one provider: No diversification of financial service providers

Debit card in the Cornèrtrader test: direct access to trading profits

The free Cornèrtrader Visa debit card is more than just a bank card - it's direct access to your trading success:

Immediate access to liquidity:

  • Trading profits available immediately (no 2-3 days waiting time as with separate brokers)
  • Automatic access to all currency accounts (CHF, EUR, USD)
  • Intelligent currency selection depending on payment location

Global application possibilities:

  • 200+ countries: Accepted worldwide
  • Digital wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay compatible
  • Online & Offline: E-commerce and bricks-and-mortar retail

Security & control:

  • Real-time map management: Locking/unlocking via the iCornèr app
  • PIN reset: Immediately possible in the app
  • Transaction overview: All expenses directly linked to portfolio performance

Important card fees (as of August 2025):

ServiceCosts
Annual feeFree of charge
Cash withdrawal Switzerland (other banks)CHF 2
Cash withdrawal abroadCHF 5 + 2%
Foreign currency transactions2% Processing fee
Exchange rate spread2%
Card replacementCHF 20

Practical example: You trade successfully in Tesla shares and make a profit of USD 1,000. Instead of transferring this money to your Swiss bank account first, you can use it immediately to buy a laptop from digitec - the card automatically converts from USD to CHF.

Tax benefits: Everything from a single source for your Swiss tax return

One of the biggest practical advantages of the integrated solution is the annual tax return:

Simplified documentation:

  • One tax statement for everything: Trading, banking and card transactions
  • Automatic categorisation: Capital gains, dividends and interest income clearly separated
  • Centralised recording: All relevant transactions automatically documented

Time saving: Instead of collecting and comparing receipts from 3-4 different providers, you receive a complete annual statement for CHF 20 + VAT. This not only saves time, but also reduces the risk of errors in your tax return.

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Platform tips: How to get the most out of the integrated system

Dashboard optimisation for integrated use:

  • Layout 1 "Portfolio overview": Focus on overall performance, positions and account balances
  • Layout 2 "Trading mode": Focus on charts, order masks and market data

💡Insider tip: Very few users make optimum use of the various layout functions. For an optimal Cornèrtrader experience, create at least two saved layouts: one for quick portfolio control (with overall performance and most important positions) and one for active trading (with charts and order tools). This allows you to switch between "Monitoring" and "Trading" at the click of a button - saving time and ensuring better decisions.

  •  

Liquidity management strategies:

  • Cash optimisation: Distribute surplus liquidity to interest-bearing currency accounts
  • Dividend reinvestment: Automatic reinvestment directly after receipt of dividends
  • Currency hedging: Natural hedging through multi-currency balances

Optimising the use of app vs. desktop:

  • Mobile App: Card management and transfers
  • desktop platform: Trading, detailed analyses, portfolio rebalancing
  • Seamless synchronisation: All changes immediately available on all devices

Opening an account with Cornèrtrader - How does it work?

The account opening process at Cornèrtrader is completely online and usually takes less than ten minutes. Once the required documents have been submitted, validation takes place, which can take a few days. The required documents include:

  • Personal information and contact details.
  • Information on knowledge and experience in the investment field.
  • Proof of identity and address.

The whole process is simple and user-friendly. If you've never used a broker before, it may take some getting used to, but it's doable.

Platform update: In the past, Cornèrtrader relied on a third trading system and took over the service internally in September 2024. However, during the migration from the old to the new system, numerous clients complained, mainly because the historical data of past transactions could not be transferred to the new system and some instruments were temporarily interrupted. The historical data was made available again and several instruments were reactivated.</em

Cornèrtrader Alternatives

Cornèrtrader's integrated solution is practical in the Swiss market, but it is still worth comparing it with traditional bank-broker combinations:

Traditional bank + broker combination:

  • Major Swiss bank + established broker: Proven combination, but higher overall costs and more complex administration
  • PostFinance + international discount broker: Favourable trading costs, but no integrated solution
  • Regional bank + specialised broker: Solid Swiss bank plus favourable broker, but separate systems

Pure broker solutions:

  • International discount brokers: Very favourable trading fees, but no integrated banking
  • Established Swiss brokers: Comprehensive platforms, but often with custody fees
  • Specialised online brokers: Lowest international trading costs, but often without Swiss deposit protection

Comparison table for the Cornèrtrader Review:

FeatureCornèrtrader IntegratedBig bank + brokerDiscount brokerSpecialised brokers
Basic fees/yearCHF 0CHF 200-400CHF 0-150CHF 0-200
Debit card✅ Free of chargeCHF 50-80Separate bench required❌ Separate bench required
Multi-currency accountsIntegrated❌ Separate accounts❌ Broker only❌ Broker only
Interest income✅ CHF/EUR/USDOnly CHF
Swiss securityFINMAFINMAVariesVaries
One login for everything
Tax statement✅ Complete❌ Separate❌ Trading only❌ Trading only

Conclusion of the alternatives: Cornèrtrader's integrated solution is suitable for investors who value operational simplicity. For specialised needs or pure trading focus, there are also other solutions on the market.

You can find more online brokers in our Swiss broker comparison compared in detail.

Who is Cornèrtrader suitable for?

Well suited for:

  • Multi-asset investors: Trades stocks, ETFs, crypto and appreciates operational simplicity
  • International diversifiers: Invest in different currency areas (CHF, EUR, USD)
  • Efficiency optimiser: Want trading profits immediately available and simplified tax documentation

Less suitable for:

  • ETF savings plans under CHF 500: Minimum fees of CHF 9 (consistency) are proportionally high
  • Pure discount traders: Specialised brokers offer lower individual fees
  • Banking traditionalists: Favour separate banking and investment relationships

💡 Quick check: Cornèrtrader is worthwhile if you trade different asset classes, are internationally diversified and appreciate an integrated system.

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Conclusion on the Cornèrtrader experience

As an integrated financial solution, Cornèrtrader offers truly unique selling points: The immediate availability of trading profits by debit card, simplified tax documentation and interest income on multi-currency balances create practical advantages in everyday financial life.

The solution is perfect if you trade different asset classes, invest internationally diversified and value operational simplicity. Do you have a larger portfolio and trade actively? Then the integrated system can pay off and you can expect a positive Cornèrtrader experience.

The total cost calculation shows that despite higher minimum fees, you often save more than the traditional bank-broker combination costs.

Test the integrated solution with a free demo account and see the benefits of the modern banking approach for yourself.

Transparency notice: This article was created in collaboration with Cornèrtrader. However, the content and presentation have been created freely and independently by Schwiizerfranke.

Frequently asked questions about Cornèrtrader

Immediately. In contrast to separate brokers, where transfers take 2-3 working days, profits are available immediately with Cornèrtrader. If you sell Apple shares today, you can use the proceeds immediately by card.

Yes, you automatically receive CHF, EUR and USD sub-accounts with interest income on all three currencies. This is practical for international diversification without separate foreign currency accounts.

You receive a complete annual statement for CHF 20 + VAT, which includes all trading activities, interest income and relevant card transactions. This saves you time when filing your tax return compared to separate providers.

Financial author Eric Marschall certified investment advisor (IAF) independent financial expert Switzerland - certified financial expert switzerland
About the author

Eric is the founder of Schwiizerfranke.com and certified IAF wealth advisor. Since 2019, he has been helping Swiss citizens to organise their finances comprehensibly, independently and efficiently.

📌 Note: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised investment advice.

6 responses
  1. Salut Eric,
    I have inherited a large amount of money and would like to invest it cheaply.
    Do you think Cornertrader is the right provider for me? The fees sound ideal to me.

    1. Hello Roberto,
      I would never base my choice of provider on the fees alone. But if the overall concept is right and suits you, absolutely!

  2. Thanks for the article. I already knew Cornèr as a bank, but not the trading solution. As I am having my pension fund paid out, I have larger sums to invest. The flat fees look very attractive to me. I will take a closer look at everything.

  3. At that time I had chosen Cornertrader because of the 0 custody fees (and the dark mode). When things got dicey, they introduced these fees. So I left again, as there were no other advantages for me personally. I briefly used Flowbank, which still had software for Linux, but that no longer exists. Dark mode is now available with all brokers.
    The abolition of inactivity fees is certainly a positive point, but I still wouldn't go back. Transferring to another broker was a bit of a pincer movement in the beginning, and you had to threaten and make several phone calls.

      1. The above-mentioned conclusion about the Cornèrtrader experience applies exactly to me. I am a value investor who has been building up one of three portfolios on the Cornèttrader platform since 2020. I only invest in shares and buy in small increments in the event of setbacks. I am with Cornèrtrader because Cornèr is one of the safest banks in Switzerland, the securities are held in Switzerland, the fees are very attractive compared to other banks and the trading platform is ideal for my purposes. I consider myself a very experienced investor and there are few portfolio managers in Switzerland who can match the performance of my portfolios. The service and support from Cornèrtrader is very good.

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