If you've heard about Yuh and wondered whether it's actually a bank, you're not alone. This Swiss fintech app has been making waves in the digital banking space, but the answer to "Is Yuh a bank?" is more nuanced than you might expect.
The Short Answer: No, But Yes
Yuh itself is not a bank. The banking and financial services offered in the Yuh app are provided by Swissquote, which is authorised by FINMA, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority. So while Yuh provides banking services, it's technically a financial service provider that operates through a licensed bank.
What Exactly Is Yuh?
Yuh was originally the result of a joint venture between two renowned Swiss financial institutions: Swissquote and PostFinance. However, in a major development in July 2025, Swissquote acquired PostFinance's 50% stake, taking full ownership of the digital finance platform. This strategic move, valued at CHF 180 million, marks the end of a successful four-year partnership.
PostFinance brought over a century of banking experience and served 2.7 million customers across Switzerland during the partnership. Swissquote, which has been disrupting traditional banking for 25 years, is now the sole owner and continues to drive innovation in digital banking and investment platforms.
Recent Developments: Swissquote Takes Full Control
In July 2025, Swissquote made a significant strategic move by acquiring PostFinance's 50% stake in Yuh for CHF 180 million. This decision was made unanimously by both partners and approved by relevant authorities, marking the end of their successful four-year joint venture.
As PostFinance CEO Beat Röthlisberger stated: "At PostFinance, we're extremely proud to be part of Yuh's success story. Yuh has become the most popular finance app in Switzerland in record time, which is a fantastic achievement." The acquisition allows PostFinance to focus more strongly on its core business while enabling Swissquote to integrate Yuh optimally into its overall offering.
This change positions Yuh for potential European expansion, leveraging Swissquote's dual banking structure with both Swiss and Luxembourg banking licenses. The move comes at a time when Yuh reported its first annual profit of CHF 1.7 million in 2024, with customer accounts growing 48% year-over-year.
How Yuh Works: The Technical Setup
Here's where it gets interesting from a regulatory perspective. Bank accounts are opened via Swissquote, the Swiss leader in online banking, which is fully regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
This means when you open a Yuh account, you're technically opening a Swissquote bank account, but you're accessing and managing it through Yuh's sleek mobile app. It's like having a premium banking experience powered by established banking infrastructure.
What Can You Do with Yuh?
Despite not being a traditional bank, Yuh offers comprehensive financial services:
Banking Essentials:
- Free bank account in multiple currencies (13 currencies supported)
- Free debit Mastercard
- TWINT integration for mobile payments
- Free domestic and SEPA transfers
- eBill support
Investment Features:
- Direct investment in stocks and ETFs
- Cryptocurrency trading
- Fractional shares
- Trending investment themes
- Pillar 3a retirement savings
Modern Conveniences:
- Multi-currency support with competitive exchange rates
- Contactless payments
- Automated savings projects
- Insurance coverage for purchases
- Teen accounts (Yuh 14+)
The Safety Question
One of the biggest concerns with fintech apps is safety. Here's the good news: you benefit from all the protections provided by the Swiss banking law and other Swiss financial laws, including the 100'000 CHF protection in case of bankruptcy, and banking secrecy.
Your assets are held in custody by Swissquote Bank SA, keeping them separate from Yuh's assets. This structure protects your investments in the event of bankruptcy. This is crucial because it means your money has the same legal protection as any traditional Swiss bank account.
The Fee Structure
Yuh charges no fees whenever possible, and low fees when necessary. Some highlights:
- Free account maintenance
- Free debit card
- Free domestic transfers
- Free SEPA transfers in EUR
- 0.95% currency exchange fees (applied to the interbank rate)
- Investment fees from 0.50% annually
Who Should Consider Yuh?
Yuh is particularly attractive for:
- Tech-savvy users who prefer mobile-first banking
- International travelers who need multi-currency support
- Young investors looking for easy access to stock markets
- Swiss residents who want modern banking without high fees
- People seeking simplicity in their financial management
The Limitations
While Yuh offers impressive features, it's not perfect:
- Digital-only: No physical branches (though this is by design)
- Limited business banking: Primarily focused on personal accounts
- Geographic restrictions: Not available to US persons
- Customer service: Some users report challenges reaching support
The Verdict
So, is Yuh a bank? Technically no, but functionally yes. It's a sophisticated fintech app that provides full banking services through a licensed Swiss bank. This hybrid model gives users the innovation and user experience of a modern fintech company while maintaining the security and regulatory compliance of traditional Swiss banking.
The recent acquisition by Swissquote strengthens this model further, providing clearer strategic direction and potential for European expansion. For most users, the distinction doesn't matter much in practice. You get a bank account, a debit card, investment capabilities, and all the protections of Swiss banking law.
Bottom Line: Yuh represents the future of banking – where traditional financial institutions develop innovative technology solutions to create seamless, mobile-first experiences without sacrificing security or regulatory compliance. Under full Swissquote ownership, it's well-positioned to challenge international digital banking giants while maintaining its Swiss roots. Whether you call it a bank or a fintech app, it's proving to be a compelling option for Swiss consumers looking for modern financial services.