The amount of money deposited by Bangladeshis in Swiss banks reached a record low of 17.7 million Swiss francs (CHF) in 2023, marking a significant 68% decrease from the previous year’s CHF 55.3 million. This decline represents the second consecutive year of falling deposits and reflects a broader trend away from traditional Swiss banking secrecy.
Several factors contribute to this decline. Bangladesh’s higher domestic interest rates make domestic investments more attractive. Moreover, stricter Swiss regulations, including the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) initiated in 2018, have curbed tax evasion and enhanced transparency, dissuading depositors seeking secrecy.