How Swiss Custodian Banks Work for U.S. Clients
A Swiss custodian bank holds financial assets, processes transactions and maintains the official account records, while an independent wealth manager manages the portfolio under a separate written mandate. For U.S. clients, opening and operating this type of account involves eligibility review, Know Your Customer and anti-money-laundering checks, source-of-wealth documentation, bank approval, funding, ongoing portfolio management and continued U.S. tax and account-reporting obligations.