Inquiries about assets

Persons suspecting assets to which they are entitled to with an unknown bank in Switzerland can ask the Central Claims Office of the Swiss Banking Ombudsman for the polling of the databank of all dormant customer relationships (savings books, accounts including numbered and pseudonym accounts, custody accounts, safe-deposit boxes) of Swiss banks in the course of the relevant guidelines issued by the Swiss Banker's Association.

When do customer relationships become dormant?

As soon as a bank ascertains that contact with the customer and his or her proxy has been lost:

• If the bank’s mail can no longer be forwarded.
• In the case of hold mail, savings books and safe-deposit boxes, if the bank has concrete information that the customer has passed away - however at the latest 10 years after the last contact with him or her or his or her proxy.
• If the bank's possible attempts to restore contact have failed.

How must a bank handle dormant customer relationships?

Provided that the value is superior to CHF 100.-, the bank must report the customer's data including eventual proxies to a centralised databank to which only the Swiss Banking Ombudsman's Central Claims Office has access.

What is the Central Claims Office's task?

On the basis of a questionnaire and the documents submitted, the Central Claims Office examines whether the claimant is entitled to information on the concerned customer relationship. If yes, the query is entered into the centralised databank and the claimant is informed about the result.

What fees does the Central Claims Office charge?

The processing fee amounts to CHF 100.- per file. You will receive payment instructions with the questionnaire.