In this UBS Wealth Management review, we look at what the Swiss bank offers wealthy expats, how it is organised and the pros and cons to weigh. UBS is one of the world’s largest wealth managers. Its advisers can draw on extensive research and a wide range of investment tools.
Updated October 2026: this review was first written in 2020. Since then, UBS has acquired Credit Suisse (June 2023) and reorganised its business, so we have refreshed the structure section.
How UBS Is Organised
UBS is headquartered in Zurich. It was formed in 1998 from the merger of Union Bank of Switzerland and Swiss Bank Corporation. Today, it runs four main business divisions, plus a unit that winds down legacy positions. For the latest details, see the UBS company website.
Global Wealth Management
This is the division most expats will deal with. It provides advice, investment management, lending and banking to wealthy families and individuals around the world. Clients can also access products from third-party providers alongside UBS’s own offerings.
Personal & Corporate Banking
This division serves private, corporate and institutional clients in Switzerland. It is a central part of UBS’s universal banking model at home. It also refers clients to other parts of the group, such as wealth management.
Asset Management
UBS Asset Management runs funds and mandates across traditional and alternative asset classes. It serves institutions, intermediaries and wealth management clients.
Investment Bank
The Investment Bank provides advice, research and access to capital markets for corporate and institutional clients. In addition, it trades shares, currencies, precious metals and other securities.
Non-core and Legacy
After the Credit Suisse deal, UBS set up a separate unit to manage and run down assets it does not plan to keep.
This article focuses on the wealth management side of UBS rather than its corporate services.
UBS Wealth Management Review: Our View
Pros:
- UBS offers sophisticated wealth and tax planning services, often working with specialist advisers.
- Clients can access third-party funds, not just in-house products.
- Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android.
- As a large, regulated bank, it offers a broad range of services in one place.
Cons:
- A big brand does not guarantee better outcomes. Most regulated investment solutions now have basic investor protections, so compare on fees and service.
- Fees for private banking and advice are typically higher than on investment platforms, and minimum account sizes can be high.
- It isn’t always portable for expats. For example, if you open an account in Switzerland and later move to Africa, Asia or North America, servicing may change or be restricted.
- Smaller boutique firms can sometimes offer a more personal service.
If you are comparing UBS wealth management with other options, read our guide to wealth management for expats or book a discovery call.
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This review is for general information only and is not financial advice. It reflects our opinion and is not a recommendation to use or avoid any provider. Capital at risk.
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Henry Temple-Baxter
Henry Temple-Baxter is the founder of Investments for Expats and is CISI Level 4 qualified. A long-term expat himself, he has lived and worked in Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City. He set up the firm in 2018 to give UK expats fee-only, transparent advice on pensions, tax and investing abroad.
This guide is general information, not personal advice. Tax rules can change and their effect depends on your circumstances. Capital at risk.
