Questions and answers about willbe

The willbe instant access savings account is a variable-interest account without a fixed term. In other words, the bank behind the account, LLB, can raise or lower the interest rate at any time. The interest rate is based on the current market interest rate and other factors. The account is available in  EUR, CHF, USD, GBP, NOK, SEK, PLN, CZK and HUF, with different interest rates depending on the currency. You can find the current interest rates here.

No. You can open and manage an cash account independently of asset management services.

In some cases there are benefits. For instance, it can help you diversify currency risks. You may find better interest rates on your bank balance. Another benefit is the diversification of political risks. You may find foreign banks to be more stable than the ones in your own country of residence. You may want an account that former business partners or spouses are not aware of. Inflation could be lower in a foreign currency.

The interest rates for the accounts change within a few days of the central bank changing its interest rates. You can find the interest rates here on the homepage.  Instant access savings accounts in CHF, EUR, USD, and GBP earn interest.

Instant access savings accounts in NOK, SEK, PLN, CZK, and HUF do not earn interest

Let’s say you’ve got your money in a willbe EUR cash account but you want to move it to your willbe USD cash account.

We don’t charge a margin for foreign exchange (FX) transactions (in other words, the exchange surcharge is zero), but costs of around 0.3 % are levied as a dealer surcharge. We use the interbank exchange rate provided by Refinitiv/Reuters.

Interest is calculated using the Swiss standard (30 / 360). This means that every month is calculated on the basis of 30 days and a year on the basis of 360 days.

Interest is credited every three months, at the end of each quarter.

Yes, the Liechtenstein Bankers Association guarantees deposits up to CHF 100'000. Your assets are 100 % protected up to this cap. This figure applies per client, per bank.

You can find details here: www.bankenverband.li/en/bank-clients/konsumentenschutz/Deposit-guarantee-scheme.

No, unfortunately we cannot offer joint accounts.

No, unfortunately we cannot offer accounts for children.

willbe’s parent company is Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB), which has been operating for over 160 years. When you make a deposit into your willbe cash account, LLB uses this money to provide traditional banking services, such as issuing loans.

It takes around two or three working days for the money to be credited after it has been transferred back to your correspondence account at your bank.

The account is free of charge.

Interest rates are not tiered. Interest is paid on balances up to 150,000.

The interest rates are valid until further notice. There are no limited terms and no introductory offers. It's highly likely that the interest rates could either increase or decrease in the event that one of the relevant central banks (Switzerland – SNB, Europe – ECB, USA – Fed, UK – Bank of England) changes its interest rate.

There is no maximum deposit amount. However, interest is paid on balances in CHF, EUR, USD, and GBP up to 150,000. Balances exceeding 150,000 in these currencies do not earn interest. Instant access savings accounts in NOK, SEK, PLN, CZK, and HUF do not earn interest. You can find all the details on interest rates here.

The minimum deposit is EUR / CHF 1.

Yes, the currency is automatically converted.

Your statement will be sent to your willbe mailbox (profile photo at the top right > My documents) each month.

You can call the customer centre to have your account deleted.

Please write a message in the app or an email to service@willbe-invest.com. You can also simply leave your account unused – there is no charge.

No, you must have at least one savings account in your selected reference currency.

You can see your account balance on the app dashboard/homepage for the account in question.

You can find the annual statements in your willbe mailbox (notification bell on the top right of the screen).

There are two different ways to do this:

• Tap on the account then on the three dots in the top right-hand corner, select "New payment" and select the sender and the recipient account.
• Tap on "+" in the middle at the bottom of the screen, select "Deposit / Transfer" and select the sender and the recipient account.

Here you will find detailed step-by-step instructions on how to transfer money to your willbe account for the first time.

No, this is not possible. Due to legal requirements, we can only accept payments where the account holder of the sender account matches the willbe customer.

If the names do not match, we have to return the deposit manually. For this we charge a processing fee of CHF 20, which is deducted before the return. Joint sender accounts are accepted as long as the name of the willbe client appears (e.g. Lisa and Max Mustermann).

There are two different ways to do this:

• Tap on the account, then on the three dots in the top left/right corner (depending on your operating system), select "New payment" and choose the combination of accounts you want to pay into and out of.
• Tap on "+" bottom center of the screen and select "New payment". In the next step, click on "Payout" and choose the appropriate combination of sender and recipient accounts.

You’ll be able to see your most recent transactions when you tap on the cash account.

Yes. You can set up one account per available currency. You can't have multiple accounts in the same currency.

No, that’s not possible at present.

You will receive a netting confirmation in your willbe inbox (notification bell on the top right of the screen).

You will receive an initial confirmation when you order the netting. When the netting is completed, you will receive a second confirmation.

willbe passes the market interest rates on to its customers with only a very small deduction – we aim to offer excellent customer service. You can check this for yourself: you'll see we’re always ranked as one of the best cash accounts on comparison sites.

The bid-ask spread for accounts in foreign currencies is the difference between the buy rate and the sell rate for a currency.

willbe receives the interbank rates from its parent company, Liechtensteinische Landesbank LLB.

True, there is a bid-ask spread here, but this is the best option for low-volume customers.

Interest is credited.

Yes, you can set up a regular payment from your bank to your willbe cash account as part of a savings plan.

Yes, you can close your cash account at any time.

There are four benefits for customers:

• We don't run introductory offers; all our interest rates are valid long-term (i.e. until a central bank changes the rate).
• willbe passes the market interest rates on to you, as a customer, with only a very small deduction.
• The interest rates are based on central bank interest rates, which are automatically and promptly passed on to you. Let's say the European Central Bank increases its interest rate by 0.25 % at its next meeting. If that happens, the interest rate on your willbe EUR cash account will also be raised within the next few days. In other words, you always benefit from the very best terms.
• When interest rates start to dip, willbe lets you easily transfer to a willbe investment account. The equity markets often experience growth in periods when interest rates are lower, boosting your prospects for great returns.

For withdrawals in US dollars (USD) or British pounds (GBP), external fees may be charged by intermediary correspondent banks. These fees can vary significantly – from just a few USD / GBP to several hundred. willbe has no influence over these charges and cannot control or prevent them. To give you planning certainty, willbe charges a fixed fee capped at USD/GBP 25 when you choose the OUR fee option.

This means that, in the worst case, you’ll pay USD/GBP 25 for your transaction – often it will be less. If we can avoid the fee entirely, we won’t charge you anything.

Withdrawals in NOK, SEK, PLN, CZK or HUF are processed using shared charges (SHA). External fees may be applied by intermediary correspondent banks, and their amount can vary and is not known in advance.

For withdrawals in USD, GBP, NOK, SEK, PLN, CZK, or HUF, you can choose from the following fee options:

• Sender pays (OUR): ): The sender covers all fees. (at willbe, this is charged as a fixed fee, depending on the payout currency).
• Shared fees (SHA): Fees are shared between the sender and the recipient. 
• Recipient (BEN): The recipient pays all fees.

• Sender (OUR / Our charges): With willbe, a fixed fee applies,  depending on the payout currency.
• Shared fees (SHA / Shared): The fee amount is not known in advance and may vary depending on the intermediary banks involved. 
• Recipient (BEN / Beneficiary): The fee amount is not known in advance and may vary depending on the intermediary banks involved.

For payments between banks in Liechtenstein in USD or GBP, no additional fees are charged by correspondent banks.

Most Swiss banks do not charge correspondent bank fees for USD or GBP payments via willbe. Examples include: Raiffeisen Schweiz Genossenschaft, Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), Swissquote, PostFinance, Migros Bank.
With these banks, you pay no extra fees when making payments through willbe.

However, some Swiss banks do charge correspondent bank fees for USD or GBP payments. Examples include: UBS, SAXO Bank, Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG.

In the app, a fee of USD/GBP 25 is generally displayed. If this fee does not apply, it will not be charged or will be refunded.

If your Swiss bank is not listed above and you want to check whether correspondent bank fees apply before making a payment, simply contact our support team – we’ll be happy to assist you. Please note: For USD or GBP payments between willbe and German banks, correspondent bank fees will apply.

Correspondent bank fees are a standard part of SWIFT payments and cannot be fully avoided. However, at willbe we aim to keep their impact as low as possible. To protect our customers from unpredictable charges, a fixed fee—depending on the payout currency—is charged per individual transfer when choosing the OUR fee option.

Whenever possible, we recommend converting currencies directly within willbe and making your payments in EUR or CHF.

In a currency exchange, the conversion rate is set in advance. This fixed exchange rate remains valid for one minute and is displayed in the order section throughout the entire currency exchange process. This means you know exactly which rate will be used for the exchange – with no surprises due to exchange rate fluctuations

An account transfer is a regular banking transaction where no fixed exchange rate is guaranteed in advance. The exchange into the target currency takes place promptly. However, the timing is not fixed. Unlike a currency exchange, with an account transfer you can schedule the exchange (the date you want to receive the money) – for example, automatically on the 1st of every month. This gives you more predictability for regular transactions.

There is no difference in the costs for a currency exchange and an account transfer.

As a member of the EEA, Liechtenstein supports the EU SEPA system, allowing you to easily transfer funds to your willbe account in EUR. We will take care of the exchange into CHF for you. You benefit from very favourable exchange rates. If you don't already have a CHF account at your bank that you want to use for investing, in most cases it is easiest and cheapest to simply transfer euros with a SEPA payment.

Deposits from the USA are currently not possible. The reason lies in different banking systems: in the USA, there is no IBAN, which is required for international transfers in Europe. At willbe, deposits are only possible via banks with a valid IBAN from the EU, Switzerland or the European Economic Area.

A fixed deposit is a form of investment in which a fixed amount of money is invested for a fixed term at a fixed interest rate. The money cannot be easily withdrawn during this term.

The advantages of a fixed deposit usually include a higher interest rate compared to a savings account or current account. It is a safe form of investment with a fixed return that is independent of market fluctuations.

In the EU, funds in fixed deposit accounts are protected under the statutory deposit insurance, which covers up EUR 100'000 per bank and customer.

The terms at willbe start from one month and extend up to ten years.

We offer interest on fixed-term deposits in Euro, Swiss Franc, US Dollar, British Pound, Norwegian Krone, Swedish Krona, Polish Złoty, Czech Koruna, and Hungarian Forint. The interest rates for fixed-term deposit accounts depend on the term, the investment amount and the situation on the respective market. Our interest rates are updated daily.

Please find the fixed deposit interest rates here.

Accessing the money before the end of the specified term is usually not possible. However, we would be happy to check your individual case for an option to terminate the transaction while retaining accrued interest minus additional costs for the termination.

We will let you know in advance about all costs associated with the termination so that you can decide what is best for you.

At the end of the term, the fixed deposit is paid back. You receive the amount you paid in plus any additional outstanding interest.

At the end of the agreed term, your invested capital and any accrued interest will be automatically transferred to your call money account in the same foreign currency. The condition is that a corresponding savings account exists for the respective currency. You can easily open free cash accounts in EUR, CHF, USD, GBP, NOK, SEK, PLN, CZK and HUF in the app.

If you hold fixed-term deposits in multiple currencies, the repayment will be made to the respective call money account in each currency.

No automatic currency conversion takes place – so there are no exchange rate losses or conversion fees. You are free to decide if and when you want to convert your foreign currency balance. From the moment the funds are credited, your balance will start earning interest again on the cash account.

At willbe you can save in fixed deposits from just EUR / USD / CHF / GBP 100.

The maximum investment amount is EUR / USD / CHF/ GBP 250,000 per fixed deposit.

You can deposit amounts in increments of 100 (100, 200, 300, etc.).

For example, EUR, CHF, USD, and GBP deposits of 200 are possible, but EUR, CHF, USD, and GBP deposits of 250 are not.

For other currencies, the following applies:

NOK: Mindestanlage 1,000, Schritte 1,000, Maximum 3,000,000.
SEK: Mindestanlage 1,000, Schritte 1,000, Maximum 2,500,000.
PLN: Mindestanlage 500, Schritte 500, Maximum 1,000,000.
CZK: Mindestanlage 3,000, Schritte 3,000, Maximum 6,000,000.
HUF: Mindestanlage 40,000, Schritte 40,000, Maximum 100,000,000.

Interest income from fixed deposit accounts is taxable. In Germany it is subject to the withholding tax as well as the solidarity surcharge and, if applicable, church tax.

Please check whether interest income is taxable in your country. We will send you the relevant documents for your annual tax declaration so that you can declare your interest income to your tax authority.

willbe customers can easily set up fixed-term deposits at any time – as many as they like, in the currencies: EUR, CHF, USD, GBP, NOK, SEK, PLN, CZK and HUF.

If you are not yet a willbe customer, just join us! Download the app and open your account. As soon as you are ready, you can get started.

If you are already a willbe customer, you do not need any further documents. We will inform you about the terms and conditions. To open a fixed-term deposit account, please read through these terms and conditions and accept them.

As a new customer, you will need a valid identity card or passport, the account number of your existing payment account, your email address, and your mobile phone number. Next, open a free instant access savings account with willbe, which also serves as a reference account for your fixed-term deposit. At the end of the term, the entire amount, including interest, will be transferred to this account. Once this is done, you can open as many fixed-term deposits as you like.

Term deposits with a maturity of less than one year

Interest is calculated at the end of the term and automatically credited to your willbe savings account.

Term deposits with a maturity of one year or longer (e.g. 10-year fixed-term deposits)

For annual interest payments, the payout takes place around the anniversary date of your term deposit. The interest is first credited to your term deposit and then automatically transferred to your willbe savings account – you don’t need to do anything.

At the end of the term

When your term deposit matures, your total balance – the original investment amount plus all interest accrued and not yet paid out – is automatically transferred to your willbe savings account. This allows you to continue earning interest straight away or to open a new term deposit.

Your fixed deposit is... well... fixed. You cannot add additional money.

You can, however, take out as many additional fixed deposit as you like at any time. This way you can always lock in attractive interest rates.

The interest on fixed deposits of less than one year is calculated using the Swiss customary method (30/360), i.e. each month is calculated with 30 days and the year with 360 days.

Fixed deposit accounts with a term of several years are calculated using the ISMA-99 Normal (actual/actual)

The ISMA-99 Normal (actual/actual) method, also known as Actual/Actual-ICMA, is an interest calculation method that is often used in the bond market and within willbe for fixed deposits with a term of several years. This method calculates the interest based on the actual number of days in the interest period and the actual number of days in the year.

Main features of the ISMA-99 Normal (actual/actual) method:

1. Actual days: Interest is calculated based on the actual number of days in the interest period.
2. Actual days in the year: The method takes into account the actual number of days in the year (365 or 366 days in a leap year).
3. Application: This method is often used for bonds and within willbe for fixed deposits with a term of several years to ensure an accurate interest calculation.

The main difference lies in the availability of money.

Cash accounts allow daily withdrawals, whilst fixed deposit accounts are invested for a predetermined period and cannot be cancelled early.

When the term ends, you don’t need to do anything. We will transfer the money you have deposited, including the last outstanding interest, to your willbe cash account so that you can continue saving straight away or take out a new fixed deposit.

Fixed deposits are for a fixed term and are therefore not intended for early termination. However, we understand that there may be emergencies and thus offer a goodwill check.

Be aware that an early termination may incur costs, and you could lose accrued interest. Before we terminate your contract, we will let you know what the consequences are, so that you can decide what is best for you.

With a fixed deposit, the interest rate remains fixed throughout the entire term, regardless of market fluctuations.

Changes in the market interest rate therefore have no impact on existing fixed deposit.

Yes, with willbe you can manage your fixed deposits online at any time.

You can choose fixed deposits with terms of up to one year online at any time.

You can easily choose all fixed deposits with terms of over one year during our trading hours between 9 a. m. and 5.30 p. m.

Think about which term best suits your financial goals, compare interest rates and make sure you will not need the funds during this period.

One approach is to build "fixed deposit ladders", in which fixed deposits with different terms can be invested for staggered terms. Spread your money over different terms to secure even more interest.

The main disadvantages include the lack of liquidity and the possibility that you may receive lower returns when market interest rates rise.

Please also note that if you decide to invest in fixed-term deposits in foreign currencies, you will always be exposed to foreign currency risk. This means that the foreign currency may lose value against your base currency.

No, but you can take out additional fixed deposit at any time. Alternatively, you can wait until your existing fixed deposit has been repaid and then secure the latest interest rates.

On average, we need two banking days until your fixed deposit starts earning interest for you.

Saving in foreign currencies can be a way of diversifying your assets not only across different maturities and forms of saving, but also across currency areas. The risk and opportunity here is the development of the exchange rate.

For example, if the foreign currency is worth more than the currency in your home country when you make a deposit or withdrawal, you can make an exchange rate gain as well as an interest gain. The reverse is also true, however, and exchange rate losses can also occur.

You should therefore inform yourself carefully and weigh up what is best for you.

Yes, the Liechtenstein Bankers Association's deposit protection amounts to CHF 100'000 per person and bank, so your assets are 100 % protected up to this amount.

You can find details here: https://www.bankenverband.li/en/bank-clients/konsumentenschutz/Deposit-guarantee-scheme.

willbe Gold is physical gold sold in fractions. Every gram of gold that you buy in your willbe Gold investment account is stored at the headquarters of the Liechtensteinische Landesbank. You buy a share of a kilo bar in grams, which you can view via the live cam.

willbe Gold enables you to easily buy gold in combination with affordable storage. Safe in our vault at the Liechtensteinische Landesbank.

The price of gold is subject to fluctuation. The investment involves financial risks and can lead to losses. There have been highly positive developments in the price of gold over the last few years and it has managed to maintain its purchasing power very well compared to currencies such as the CHF, EUR, USD and GBP.

You can have gold physically delivered any time. You can contact our support team and we will fulfil your gold denomination requests. You can then collect your gold within a few days at an LLB counter in Vaduz. For delivery in the corresponding denomination, there is a charge of EUR / CHF 150 per delivery plus bar fees per denomination unit.

No, there is no time limit for purchasing willbe Gold. You can buy and sell your gold at any time during trading hours. However, the value date for incoming and outgoing deliveries can be up to 10 days after the transaction. The value date for each transaction is always based on the execution date, rather than the time of storage or delivery.

You can sell your willbe Gold at any time during trading hours. Delivery takes up to 10 working days.

Your gold is stored safely and well guarded in the vaults of the Liechtensteinische Landesbank.

Your gold is securely stored in the well-guarded vaults of the Liechtensteinische Landesbank. With an Aa1 Moody’s rating, the Liechtensteinische Landesbank is one of the safest banks in the world.

The purchase price is the average current price for purchasing gold. Only the stock that is still in the portfolio on the valuation date is considered. Positions that have already been sold are not included in the calculation in accordance with the FIFO method. Under this valuation and storage principle, the most recently purchased stock is also the first to be sold ("first in, first out").

The 1-kilo gold bar is the standard in the banking industry and therefore offers the best price, with consistent quality and purity. This allows us to offer our customers a significantly better price than they would get for smaller bars or coins.

Storage can take up to two banking days. However, your share is credited to you immediately after purchase.

Like purchase, sale usually takes just a few seconds.

The minimum investment amount for willbe Gold is 1 gram of gold. You can purchase a maximum of 500 grams per transaction.

Buying willbe Gold is very easy. First of all, you need a willbe Gold investment account. Simply go to the willbe app, scroll to the bottom and click on Marketplace > Products > Gold. Click on "Gold" in the asset overview to buy and sell gold.

You don’t need any special documents to open a willbe Gold account. You just need an active willbe account.

You can easily manage your Gold portfolio online – either via your internet browser or through our app on your tablet or smartphone.

Opening your gold account usually takes a few seconds. After you sign the contract and open your investment account, you will see your willbe Gold investment account in your asset overview in the app. In the unlikely event that it takes longer to issue your contract, we will send the investment contract to your willbe app within a few minutes.

You can buy willbe Gold in your reference currency. If your reference currency is Swiss francs, you buy willbe Gold in CHF. If your reference currency is Euros, you buy willbe Gold in EUR.  Please note that transactions in other currencies are currently not supported.

When you buy willbe Gold, you’re purchasing individual grams that represent fractional ownership of a full 1-kilogram gold bar. These shares are returned when you choose to sell. Instead of selling your shares in the app, you can also have your gold share physically delivered to you. You can find out more under "Delivery".

The price for willbe Gold is based on the price for a 1-kilogram bar at the Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and is calculated per gram. The quantity has no influence on the price per gram. Compared to gold coins or small bars, which usually incur minting costs, the costs for willbe Gold are very low.

willbe Gold is available in 1-gram denominations. For example, if you buy 5 grams of willbe Gold, you will receive 5 grams of a 1-kilogram bar.

willbe Gold bars are sourced exclusively from manufacturers who are certified by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). LBMA purity standards guarantee at least 99.5 % gold content sourced exclusively from certified gold mines and refineries.

There is no specific origin for our gold. We source our entire stock exclusively from refiners listed on the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery Current List. We do not accept bars from refiners who are not on this list.

You will receive the tax receipts for your willbe Gold in the following year with your willbe tax notices. You can find these in your willbe app mailbox.

If the holding period (speculation period) is longer than one year, profits from gold investments are tax-free in Germany. If you sell the asset within one year and you make a profit of at least EUR 600, you will need to pay income tax.

In any case, we recommend that you contact your tax advisor for a tax review.

If the holding period (speculation period) is longer than one year, profits from gold investments are tax-free in Austria. If you sell the asset within one year, income tax applies to all profits.

In any case, we recommend that you contact your tax advisor for a tax review.

In Switzerland, profits from gold investments are tax-free. However, you must declare your gold in the tax asset register.

In any case, we recommend that you contact your tax advisor for a tax review.

No, you do not receive a separate gold certificate. By purchasing willbe Gold you acquire the right (corresponding to a share in grams) to a 1-kilogram willbe Gold bar.

Yes, you can also have your willbe Gold physically delivered. You can take delivery at the bank counter at the headquarters of the Liechtensteinische Landesbank in Vaduz. You can find the exact conditions for physical delivery here: willbe Gold.

Yes, your willbe Gold is physically stored in the Liechtensteinische Landesbank’s vault.

You can buy and sell your gold at any time during trading hours at the current market price.

There is no charge for opening your willbe Gold account, and no fees for buying and selling at the current market price. Storage fees are just 0.5 % per year.

You can see the current willbe Gold price in the app. This is based on the price of a 1-kilogram bar at the Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB).

The price of gold varies, and it is dependent on the market. It is particularly influenced by economic factors such as inflation, changes in interest rates and current global crises. Gold has proven to be a highly stable investment asset over the years. Before you buy gold, you should be aware of the associated market risk. Physical gold is available in coins or bars. The production of coins and bars is associated with costs. You also need to ensure that your gold is pure, that it comes from a trustworthy source, and that it is stored securely.

With willbe Gold, you acquire shares in a 1-kilogram gold bar. Your shares are part of what is known as a special fund. This means that they are not legally part of the bank's bankruptcy estate and therefore remain protected – even in the event of LLB's insolvency.

Your orders are processed daily on banking days. Orders received by 11.00 a. m. will be executed on the same day. Please note that we will execute the order on the next trading day if the trading day falls on a public holiday.

If your order execution falls on a public holiday, it will be carried out on the next possible banking day.

When you purchase LLB funds, you receive newly issued shares, so it may take up to two trading days before they are booked to your account. Selling can also take up to two trading days.

If there is not enough money in your billing account, your order cannot be executed. You must therefore make sure you have a sufficient credit balance before execution.

One-time trading orders and savings plans can be placed daily (on banking days) until 11.00 a. m. Orders will then be executed on the same day.

We receive your order and bundle it with other customer orders. This allows us to pass on favorable conditions to you. Orders are executed daily.

An ETF (exchange traded fund) is a fund that tracks an index, sector or other assets.

An iBond ETF is a special type of exchange traded fund from BlackRock that holds a range of bonds with similar maturities. These ETFs combine the advantages of individual bonds and ETFs, since they mature on a fixed date, as a bond, but simultaneously trade like a stock.

A bond ETF is an exchange traded fund that tracks an index of bonds.

An equity ETF is an exchange traded fund that tracks an index of equities.

ETFs make sense because they enable broad diversification, come at impressively low cost, are easy to trade and can be tracked at all times thanks to their transparent structure. 

Open an ETF custody account in the willbe app and select an ETF or LLB fund from the marketplace offering. You can then decide whether to buy the ETF/LLB fund on a one-off basis or as a savings plan.

No. We offer third-party ETFs that we consider appropriate in terms of theme/index coverage, price and construction.

Find out about the tax treatment of profits or losses in your relevant tax country.

Click on the three-dot menu within the custody account and select "Close". Then follow the instructions and information.

Yes, you can take out as many savings plans as you like, with one savings plan for each fund or ETF.

The minimum amount is CHF/EUR/USD/GBP 100 for individual orders and savings plans.

An ETF savings plan allows investors to invest small amounts in ETFs in order to build long-term wealth.

Consider factors such as the cost ratio, fund size, tracking error and composition of the index. We have already made a selection for you in our marketplace. You can safely invest in all these products, given the factors mentioned above, if they match your investment goals and thematic preferences.

Choose an ETF if you:

• are looking for low fees
• plan to invest for the long term
• prefer transparency and broad diversification

Choose a fund from the bank if you:

• need personal advice
• prefer actively managed strategies
• can live with higher costs

Reinvesting ETFs put dividends back into the investment; distributing ETFs pay dividends out to investors.

Any investment in securities such as ETFs or other funds carries risks. Please remember that past performance may not be indicative of future results. You can lose the entire amount of capital you have invested.

By diversifying your portfolio, regularly reviewing and adjusting it, and investing for the long term.

Returns depend on the performance of the tracked index and the general development of the market.

That depends on your financial goals and your current financial situation.

It is a fee defined in the fund prospectus that is allocated to the fund’s assets (not to the bank, unlike brokerage fees).

This is intended to compensate for the costs incurred as a result of changes in the fund (subscriptions/redemptions of fund units) in a fair way and to protect existing investors. Fund units are traded at their net asset value (NAV).

The investor protection premium is passed on transparently. It is shown on the trading statement.

On the last trading day, all rights not exercised are always sold automatically. You do not have to do anything. However, you cannot sell these shares early.

New fund units will be issued. It can take up to two working days for the LLB funds to be credited to your account; this is normally done between 4 pm and 5 pm.

Yes, if you end your customer relationship with willbe, your positions can be transferred for a fee of CHF 162 per position.

Please contact us to process the order.

For technical reasons, we are currently unable to process custody account transfers to willbe from another bank. Please bear in mind that we offer you a curated investment offer, so we cannot process all third-party shares.

Yes, we pay dividends. They will be credited to your willbe cash account in the currency of the fund you are trading, which also acts as a reference account.

Yes, since your investments are part of what are known as special assets, they are not part of the bank’s bankruptcy estate.

Dividends are credited in the currency of the fund you hold to your cash account in the same currency. There is no automatic currency exchange – so there are no exchange rate losses or conversion fees. The condition is that you have a cash account in the respective currency. You can easily open free cash accounts in EUR, USD, CHF or GBP in the app.

Yes, you can buy ETFs in four currencies. All you need is the corresponding cash accounts in CHF, EUR, USD and/or GBP.

If your ETF savings plan pays out monthly distributions in a foreign currency (for example, USD), the amount is automatically credited to your willbe cash account with the same currency (e.g., USD).

Because the distribution is paid directly into the corresponding willbe cash account in that currency, there is no currency conversion – so you don’t incur any exchange rate losses or conversion fees. Your balance will start earning interest on your cash account immediately upon receipt.

Our tip: if you invest in ETFs in different currencies, it’s a good idea to open a separate, free willbe cash account for each currency. This means you avoid conversion fees and benefit from immediate interest on your distributions.

You can change your savings plan in the Orders tab. You will find all your ETFselect and Gold savings plans under the "Savings plans" tab.

Pause savings plan: To pause your savings plan, click on the relevant savings plan in the overview. You can activate/deactivate a savings plan by adjusting the slider.

Change savings plan: Click on the savings plan and open the three-point menu in the detail view. Click on "Change savings plan". You can now change your savings amount, the interval and the execution day.

We pool our clients' investments and select the best stock exchanges for them. That is why we trade in various global trading venues.

For willbe ETFselect, a degressive (descending) custody account fee is charged based on the amount in the custody account.

CHF/EUR 0–25,000: 0.30 %
CHF/EUR 25,000–100,000: 0.25 %
CHF/EUR 100,000–500,000: 0.20 %
> CHF/EUR 500,000: 0.15 %

The custody fee does not apply to balances held in LLB funds.

All ETFs and funds in willbe ETFselect are eligible for savings plans from a minimum amount of CHF/EUR/USD/GBP 100.

Yes, you can also use willbe to buy fractions of fund shares. To do this, simply enter the amount you want to invest when creating an order. willbe then splits the units into up to six decimal places for you.

You can also use willbe to buy fragments of fund units. To do this, simply enter the amount you want to invest when creating an order. willbe then splits the units into up to six decimal places for you.

No, you cannot buy and sell on the same day at willbe. 

Savings plans cannot be executed if you do not have a sufficient credit balance in the account you have chosen for trading.

We will notify you in the app about any orders that have not been executed.

For your order to be executed next time, you must transfer the corresponding balance to your account. This means you will automatically be back on track on the next execution date.

To make up for the missed order, you can place a one-off purchase order manually.

Intraday trading is not possible with willbe, as collective orders are only placed once per day.

Your orders are submitted for collective execution at 11.00 a. m. on banking days. You can cancel your orders until 11.00 a.m.

To do so, click on the 'Orders' tab and then on the 'Stock Orders' section. Click on the relevant order to open the detail view. Then click on 'Cancel Order' to delete your order.

In willbe ETFselect, only collective orders are available. These orders are executed daily on your behalf.

You can find the total return and your portfolio value in the asset overview, and in more detail in your custody account view. To do this, log into the app and click on ‘Assets’. Here you can see a breakdown with the corresponding value and returns across all your asset classes. For a more detailed view, click on your ETF custody account in the asset overview. Here you can see how the value and return has developed at position level.

No, willbe does not offer investment or financial advice. You make all decisions yourself, at your own risk.

With willbe ETFselect, you have the opportunity to invest in a selection of the best-known and lowest-cost ETFs in equities and bonds, as well as in our LLB funds.

The following costs may apply when making savings plan of an ETF or fund:

Volume-based fee: For order volumes exceeding 25'000 EUR or CHF (in reference currency), an additional volume-based fee of 0.25 % is applied to the amount exceeding this threshold.

Stamp duty: This is 0.075 % for ETFs from Switzerland or Liechtenstein, and 0.15 % for ETFs from abroad.

Exchange fee: In some cases, exchange fees may apply, which we are required to pass on to customers. These are shown on the invoice and in the cost information.

Only for foreign currency transactions: An FX fee of 0.3 % applies to the entire foreign currency amount. This covers the cost of converting between your account currency and the fund currency.

Depending on the investment instrument, additional costs may arise, such as an investor protection premium or other country-specific charges.

When buying an ETF or fund, the following costs may apply:

Trading fee: This is charged in your reference currency (e.g. EUR or CHF) and amounts to 2 EUR or 2 CHF per transaction. The fee is shown in the cost breakdown in the currency of the selected savings account (CHF, EUR, USD, or GBP) and converted accordingly.

Volume-based fee: For order volumes above 25'000 EUR or CHF (in reference currency), an additional fee of 0.25% is charged on the amount exceeding this threshold.

Stamp duty: This is 0.075% when trading ETFs from Switzerland or Liechtenstein and 0.15% for ETFs from abroad.

Exchange fees: Occasionally, exchange fees may be charged that we must pass on to our customers. We will disclose these on the invoice and in the cost information.

Only for foreign currency transactions: An FX fee of 0.3% is charged on the total foreign currency amount. This covers the cost of converting between your account currency and the fund currency.

Depending on the investment product, additional costs may apply, such as an investor protection premium or other country-specific charges.

The trading fee is displayed in the currency of the savings account you selected for the ETF purchase. To do this, the amount is converted from your reference currency (i.e. the currency of your willbe account, such as CHF or EUR) into the currency in which you are buying the ETF – for example, US dollars (USD) or British pounds (GBP).This ensures a clear and transparent display of the fee in the currency that is relevant to your ETF transaction.

In certain cases, exchange fees may apply when trading, and their amount can vary.

The exact costs of your order are displayed transparently in the cost breakdown within the ETF purchase process under the section "Fees."

You can set up up to 7 independent ETFselect portfolios.

This gives you the flexibility to distribute your assets across different accounts and pursue various savings goals – for example:

• Buying property – for your future home
• Buying a car – for your dream car
• Retirement planning – for financial security later
• Saving for your children – for education or a good start in life
• Vacation – for your next big trip
• Emergency fund – for unexpected expenses
• Investing for yourself – for long-term wealth-building

This way, you have a dedicated portfolio for each goal and can tailor your strategy individually.

The account holder is the beneficial owner of the custody account. Legally, the saved money belongs to you until you transfer it to your child through a gift.

No, that’s not possible. Since you are the beneficial owner of the custody account, the assets are attributed to you for tax purposes and are subject to your personal capital gains tax. Legally, the saved money belongs to you. You decide yourself when and in what amount you transfer assets to your child.

In Germany, a child’s assets may amount to a maximum of about €7,500 in order not to jeopardise eligibility for BAföG. As long as the money remains in your custody account, it does not count as the child’s assets.

You can invest money for your child in your own name. The money belongs to you, and you decide when and how much you transfer to your child. You do not need to submit your child’s birth certificate.

There are no additional custody fees per portfolio for using multiple ETFselect portfolios.

Only the regular custody fee for your total assets is charged – regardless of how many portfolios you have opened.

With willbe ETFselect, a tiered (decreasing) custody fee applies, based on the portfolio volume:

CHF/EUR 0–25,000: 0.30 %
CHF/EUR 25,000–100,000: 0.25 %
CHF/EUR 100,000–500,000: 0.20 %
> CHF/EUR 500,000: 0.15 %

You can open up to 7 portfolios without any change to the fee structure.

Multiple custody accounts help you keep your investments organised. You can create a separate account for each goal, such as buying property, purchasing a car, saving for retirement or saving for your children. This way, you can always see how far you’ve progressed toward each goal.

Having multiple accounts helps you clearly separate your investment goals and maintain an overview. Instead of pooling everything in one account, you can set up a dedicated portfolio for each goal. In addition, multiple accounts allow you to implement different investment strategies.

For example, you can have one account with a momentum strategy, another with a dividend strategy, or even accounts in different currencies. This gives you the freedom to structure your investments exactly the way that suits you.

A Future Portfolio is a simple, flexible way to save for the long term – for your child, godchild or grandchild, for example. You invest in ETFs and maintain full control over your money at all times. Opening an account is straightforward; you don’t need a birth certificate for the child or a certificate of non-assessment.

You can start planning for tomorrow today. A Future Portfolio is the perfect way to save for the important milestones in life – including university and other key stages. By creating this portfolio, you can lay the foundation for your loved ones’ financial security while retaining a clear overview by separating future investments from your personal portfolio.

The portfolio is registered in your name, you are the beneficial owner, and you retain full control over the money. For tax purposes, the portfolio is treated as a regular investment account. The child’s tax allowances cannot be used.

The assets are not attributed to the child, so you don’t have to worry about insurance or student financial aid and other educational benefits (such as BAföG).

willbe Invest's 7 topic clusters are based on the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals. You choose the willbe Invest topics you want to support, whether it’s one or several. We ensure that your investments have the biggest possible impact and contribute to a more sustainable world. And you don’t have to sacrifice your chances of returns.

The investment topics are intended as a thematic accent according to the client's personal preferences, i.e. it is not a matter of selecting the theme with the highest performance. We try to implement the client's thematic preferences as far as possible without a negative impact on performance.

If a client has no preference, he can simply not select a topic, then the optimiser has the most freedom to optimise yield.

At willbe Invest, you can invest in hand-picked investments with the greatest impact, no matter whether stocks, bonds or ETFs. We enable you to invest in the same investment strategies as our private banking clients. When we evaluate your investment options, we rely on our 30-strong asset management team and the guidelines issued by index provider MSCI ESG. Our intelligent algorithms combine the ideas suggested by the team, always following our asset management strategy and implementing the tactical asset allocation of our Chief Investment Officer in your portfolio. This enables you to benefit from our award-winning asset management, even with small investments. At the same time, you can save money securely in your willbe cash account – at no cost, with favourable conditions.

Increasing numbers of investors are putting their money into ESG investments; namely, investments that meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. In our selection, we rely on a narrower definition of sustainability that far exceeds these ESG criteria. Plus, our investment experts select the stocks that fit best with our 7 topics based on the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

We explicitly exclude sectors such as gambling, tobacco, military goods and adult entertainment. It's important to us that the shares we select also offer the prospect of returns, have low volatility and that the companies selected not only show a commitment to a sustainable world, but are also economically sound.

We choose the companies for your sustainable portfolio in a three-stage investment process:

In phase 1, we comb through the global range of equities, looking for stocks that best represent our 7 investment topics in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is how we define the stocks you can invest in at willbe Invest.

In phase 2, we analyse the individual companies and define the stocks in which we want to invest. In this analysis phase, we rely on LLB asset management’s proprietary quantitative multi-factor model. Stocks must stand out positively across five factors:

1. The stocks must be well rated in comparison with an underlying evaluation benchmark.
2. The company must be highly profitable, show solid growth and have a healthy balance sheet structure.
3. The stock must display a clearly positive pricing trend.
4. The company must have a shareholder-friendly approach to the entrusted capital.
5. The stock price should have a low, stable volatility.

Our fund managers like to see the process as a pentathlon: the selected stocks should perform well across all five factors. We invest only in those stocks that stand out positively in these five criteria.

In phase 3, we build the portfolio using an optimiser. Financial and economic criteria (e.g. share volatility, expected returns) and suitability in terms of individual SDG topics play a part. The portfolios generated in this way, in which you invest via willbe Invest, are actively managed and monitored by us.

Although investing is not only for the wealthy, not all investors can buy all the stocks that their efficient portfolio needs due to the high absolute stock prices. willbe Invest works with fractional shares; that means willbe Invest enables you to purchase a fraction of a stock (or an ETF). You benefit from increasing prices and portfolio diversification. You will receive a pro rata dividend based on your participation. Furthermore, fractional shares offer the same advantages and disadvantages as stocks or ETFs, along with the major benefit that you can buy more shares, even with a small amount of money.

The right time to invest is now. The longer your investment horizon (the period over which you invest your money), the more profit you can generate and the more risk you can take. This is why it pays not to wait for the "right time", but to start investing right away. You can minimise the price risk at a certain point in time by not investing all your money at once, but investing a fixed amount every month instead.

In the app, we show you how your portfolio performs in terms of temperature, CO₂, and energy intensity.

You can. We believe that a good, sustainable investment cannot be judged solely by its CO₂ emissions. As our current energy system is converted to meet our desired climate neutrality, the production of certain sustainable energy sources may temporarily lead to higher CO₂ emissions. That's why the value in your portfolio may in the short term be higher than the MSCI All Country World Index benchmark. For portfolios that show a negative CO₂ footprint compared with the benchmark at the end of the year, willbe Invest compensates this difference; for example, via our partner Compensators.

We focus on the long-term impact of our sustainable investments, without neglecting the aspects of return and profitability. It is important to us that all willbe Invest investments have a certain minimum liquidity. This means that you can flexibly deposit or withdraw at any time. As a result, we cannot offer certain assets (e.g., direct investments in wind farm projects). Such investments sound good in advertising but freeze your money between seven and ten years. This would simply make us too inflexible.

Geographically, we concentrate on the markets where our experts have the most knowledge. These are Switzerland, Europe and North America. We cover other markets through selected funds and ETF. LLB's own asset managers look for opportunities to generate returns and monitor investments on an ongoing basis. LLB has already received several awards for these tasks.

At willbe Invest, we analyse your portfolio from an overall perspective. Thanks to willbe Invest’s asset management expertise and its combination of SDG and ESG criteria, you have the opportunity to build your portfolio in alignment with the asset management risk profile and your sustainability priorities – and ensure it performs accordingly.

As a first step, willbe Invest’s investment opportunities are defined by LLB’s sustainable investment cluster. The LLB approach to sustainable investing is based on a mix of negative exclusion criteria and positive selection. Teams of analysts at our data suppliers identify and evaluate the severity of controversial cases involving companies from their cluster on an ongoing basis.

The following criteria are used for the purposes of negative selection:

• Breaches of international and national standards such as the UN Global Compact, the Ottawa Convention on Anti-Personnel Mines or the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
• Turnover-based exclusions are also applied for controversial products associated with tobacco, military weapons, gambling, adult entertainment, the thermal use of coal, and shale oil and gas. The threshold is 10%.
• We exclude stocks involved in particularly severe controversies from the investment cluster.
• We also exclude stocks with an ESG rating lower than BBB.

Our sustainability process also takes positive selection factors into account. We select stocks that have an ESG score of BBB and higher for our investment cluster. The rating identifies between six and ten central ESG topics (key issue scores) that are of major environmental or social importance for the sector in question; it measures corporate governance on a uniform basis.

In addition to the above criteria for sustainable investing at LLB, impact criteria are applied for willbe Invest portfolios.

That means there is no place for these eight factors in a wiLLBe Invest portfolio:

• Pollution
• Discrimination
• Child labour
• Controversial products
• Human rights abuses
• Nuclear weapons
• Anti-personnel mines and cluster munitions
• Forced labour

Our experts continuously analyze the market to find the best products to supplement your willbe Invest individual stock portfolio. Of course, we pay attention to the sustainability and impact of the products compared to their economic suitability for your portfolio. willbe Invest does not earn product fees from third parties, i.e. we select the product with the best price/performance ratio for you with a view to these parameters and try to keep the costs for your portfolio as low as possible.

Fractional shares are contractual claims by the account holder against LLB. LLB therefore treats the investor as if he or she held the corresponding shares on a pro rata basis. This means the investor participates fully in the performance of the shares and also benefits from any dividend payments. From a purely legal perspective, this makes them claims by the investor against LLB rather than structured products or fiduciary arrangements.

You can choose from the following risk classes: conservative, income, balanced, equities, growth.

The minimum investment with willbe Invest is just EUR / CHF 200 – so you not only generate returns, but also do something for a more sustainable world. If you want to pursue a systematic approach to sustainable investment, you can also simply set up a personal monthly savings plan. Enjoy safe savings at advantageous terms with willbe cash or willbe fixed deposits, available free of charge.

No matter whether you want to invest your money as a one-off or put in a regular amount, willbe lets you invest your money however it suits you.

There is no minimum term. You can leave willbe at any time, even though we will be very sorry to see you go. Depending on the optimisation frequency, we need up to two weeks to carry out the transactions.

The temperature on the dashboard shows how companies in your portfolio are helping to combat global warming. To calculate this value, all of the company’s emissions – from their raw materials, their own production activities and company products – are added together and translated into their contribution to global warming. As an example, if the reading is 1.8°, then your portfolio reflects companies that are trying to keep global warming below 1.8° within this century. You can find further details on the methodology used on the website of our data provider MSCI.

We calculate energy consumption for all of the companies in your portfolio and compare it against the global average. The amount saved corresponds to the difference accounted for in your portfolio with each centime or cent invested. We believe in investing in energy-efficient companies and we see this key figure as a tangible indicator of the difference between a carefully created, sustainable portfolio and a simple investment in a broadly diversified fund or ETF. The benchmark is taken from the MSCI All World Index.

Pretty much everything we do relates to CO₂ emissions. With willbe, you're consciously investing in companies that produce less CO₂. The "CO₂ savings" key figure compares companies' emissions in your portfolio against the average emissions profile in the market. The amount saved corresponds to the difference accounted for in your portfolio with each centime or cent invested. To calculate this, we calculate your share in the company in the portfolio and allocate this share to the company’s total emissions. The benchmark is taken from MSCI All World Index.

ESG stands for environmental, social and governance. This is the methodology the finance sector uses to try and measure the sustainability of investments. We calculate your portfolio’s ESG score and compare it against the market average. The benchmark is the MSCI All World Index. You can find out more about ESG rating methodology on the website of our data provider MSCI. With increasing criticism of the methodology behind the ESG score, it only plays a subordinate role for investment decisions at willbe.

The UN's 17 sustainable development goals form the basis for willbe's topic scores. For each investment in your portfolio, we measure how much it contributes to achieving each individual goal. We then group the results, meaning the 17 goals become seven investment topics. We don't prioritise individual issues, which is a conscious decision. If companies don't perform well in the 17 goals, we exclude them as investments. This means that companies have to do more than achieve good average values for the UN goals within a willbe topic to qualify for a position in your willbe portfolio. The topic scores in your dashboard show the focal points of your portfolio. You can find further details on the methodology used on the website of our data provider MSCI.

willbe Invest invests funds once a week, which helps us to keep costs low for customers. Thus, your deposit might be in your account for a few days before it is invested.

Please see the overview below:

All deposits received by willbe Invest by 4:00 pm on Wednesday will be invested on the following trading day (e.g. Thursday). If the funds are received later, they will be invested with the next round of investment on the following Thursday.

When investing, your funds are traded at different times and come out of or go into your account. That’s why your account may look incomplete for up to a week. As an overview:

• Thursday at 9:00 am: European shares are traded
• Thursday at 3:30 pm: American shares are traded
• Friday 1:00 am: portfolio key figures are recalculated
• Friday to Tuesday: fund transactions are carried out

Go to your willbe-Invest portfolio in the app. Then click on the three point menu, the three dots at the top of the screen. Then select "Dissolve Portfolio."

After the closing order has been made, your investments will be sold. This happens on the next rebalancing date, which is usually a Thursday. Most securities are posted on the rebalancing day and the sale amount is then paid out to you promptly. For some special securities such as funds, the sale is posted only after one week or more. Payments for these parts of the portfolio can therefore take up to four weeks. Important: this means you will receive several payments over a certain period of time.

Funds are generally not invested if they total less than EUR / CHF 200. When you open an account, the capital stays in the account in cash until you reach the threshold of EUR / CHF 200 by making additional payments or through the savings plan.

If a residual amount of less than EUR / CHF 200 remains invested after a withdrawal, these investments will be excluded from the weekly rebalancing and may stay invested in less optimal securities, even over a longer period of time.

The transfer works like any other payment:

1. Click on "+" and select "New Payment".
2. Choose your Invest account as the sender and the desired cash account as the recipient.
3. Enter the amount.
4. The payment will be executed immediately if the amount (step 3) is available in your Invest account. The currently available amount in your willbe Invest account is shown directly below the Invest account (see the home screen after logging in). If securities need to be sold first, the sale will take place during the next rebalancing. This happens every Wednesday/Thursday.
5. Choose an execution date. This is optional and depends on when the money is available in the Invest account (see step 4).
6. Confirm the payment.

The funds will be transferred as soon as sufficient funds are available in the Invest account (see point 4).

At willbe Invest, sustainable investment is more than just a buzzword. Anyone can make an investment. But until now it has not been possible for everyone to invest their money in such a way that they contribute to a more sustainable world while still generating returns. With willbe Invest, you can invest in the specific topics that are close to your heart, even with only a small amount of capital. Our investment cluster with 7 investment topics is focused consistently on the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and based on the MSCI ESG ratings, combined with LLB's strict sustainability process. This enables us to identify precisely which companies are particularly suitable for sustainable investment and have the biggest impact in terms of sustainability. That’s why willbe Invest maintains partnerships with non-profit organisations (NPOs) so it can encourage sustainability in as specific a manner as possible.

On the analysis screen below the graph, you will find a link to the single position view. There you can filter all your securities and view them in detail. We are constantly expanding the information displayed here.

We work with a fee of 0.49 % (i.e. CHF 2'000 incurs a fee of CHF 9.80 per year), plus external costs to which we are subject. We pass these costs on to you directly, such as fund fees. The fees and costs can be found in detail here. We are committed to transparent prices and fees.

Our pricing includes creating the investment strategy and the investment proposal. In addition, you benefit from LLB asset management’s award-winning experience, which otherwise is reserved for private banking clients. You have a 160-year head start in impact investing, and secure returns and success from day 1 with experience, tools and strategies drawn from many years of wealth management. Our outstanding investment skills are combined with cutting-edge technology and a simple app. Welcome to the future of impact investing. Welcome to willbe Invest!

Transparency is important to us, which is why we have compiled a competitor comparison.

In absolute terms, the costs of our current products are currently between zero and 1.4 %. Applied to your portfolio, this means a charge of between approx. 0.25 % and 0.50 %, depending on the strategy and investment currency.

It's simple: enter a payout in the desired amount. We will process it during the next optimization (also called rebalancing) and check that your portfolio still corresponds to your personal preferences (risk, mix of themes, etc.). We optimise your portfolio weekly. We will transfer the amount to your willbe cash account. Now you can decide whether you want to generate additional interest income with the paid-out capital by leaving it in the Cash account. Alternatively, you can transfer it to your bank using the payout function.

You always have a complete overview on willbe Invest. The dashboard shows how your investments stand financially and how much impact you have already had.

We rebalance the portfolio every week.

Weekly rebalancing enables us to ensure your portfolio is aligned with market conditions and still matches your priorities. The costs charged for the rebalancing are solely external costs and are minimised through cost pooling. LLB does not earn anything from the transaction costs.

The willbe app includes details on individual stocks, sectors and topics. willbe Invest makes all the investment decisions for you; in other words, you do not need to respond to market situations.

As soon as you tell us you want to close your willbe Invest account, we'll sell all your investments as soon as possible. Generally, the money is paid out within 14 days. For a small portion of your portfolio, it may take us a little longer to cash out. Once we've sold all your holdings, we'll send the proceeds to your correspondence account at your bank.

For the cash account, if you ask us to net out your account today, your money will be in your validated account tomorrow.

Go to the home page of the app "My Investment", press the "Portfolio" line at the very top right. In the "Last transactions" area you will see three dots – press them and three options appear. Press on "Liquidate portfolio". A new screen appears; go to the bottom and press "Liquidate portfolio" and then confirm your decision on the next screen. Your portfolio will now be liquidated and your capital will be paid out to your reference account.

Note on the payout process:

After your sell order, your investments will be sold on the next rebalancing date (every Thursday). Most securities are booked on the day of rebalancing and the sales proceeds are transferred to you. For some special securities, such as funds, the sale can only be carried out later – it can take up to four weeks to withdraw these shares from the portfolio. Please note that this means you will receive multiple payments spread over several weeks.

You can call the customer centre to have your account deleted.

Please write a message in the app or an email to service@willbe-invest.com. You can also simply leave your investment account unused – there is no charge unless you have money invested.

willbe Invest is dedicated to global sustainable development. Its investment process is consistently guided by the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals – and goes far beyond standard ESG criteria. willbe Invest investors can also see the tangible impact they're making toward a more sustainable world, right in the app. Through our partnerships with non-profit organisations (NPOs), we aim to promote sustainability in truly concrete ways. The app clearly shows which NPO is generating the impact.

With willbe Invest, we aim to make a meaningful and measurable impact. Whether it’s enabling two girls to access education or funding an entire solar power system – our goal is to make sustainability tangible. Investors can see directly in the app which non-profit organisation (NPO) their investment is supporting and the real-world impact it has. In short: we turn words into action. For even greater impact, investors can choose to automatically donate a portion of their investment performance – such as 20 % annually – to the NPO of their choice.

willbe Invest currently partners with Aiducation, Mercy Ships and Compensators.

We are striving to build up additional partnerships with NPOs. Our goal is to align these partnerships with the 7 investment topics for investment opportunities.

No. With their award-winning asset management experience and established ratings, our investment experts select the investments that are available via willbe Invest. They are constantly on the lookout for companies that have the greatest impact in terms of sustainability while still enabling you to generate returns. 

However, our goal at willbe Invest is to always do more. And we want to make it as easy as possible for you.  At the end of the year, you can simply and conveniently pass on part of your returns to the organisation – with just a few clicks.

willbe was created by Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB), based in Vaduz (Principality of Liechtenstein). This has been one of the world’s safest and best-capitalised full-service banks for years, boasting an Aa1 deposit rating from Moody’s that puts it in the premier league of financial institutions in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. With a history stretching back almost 160 years, LLB is steeped in more tradition than any other bank in Liechtenstein.

In a world marked by rapid change, security is a rare commodity – especially when it comes to your own money. LLB brings together security, resilience and innovation, offering the perfect combination for our customers. Our 160 years of experience give us precisely the expertise and security we need to develop innovations, take social responsibility in everything we do and offer our customers new opportunities, more from their money and more for our world.

The Principality of Liechtenstein is LLB's main shareholder, giving it a solid ownership structure. The Principality is one of the few countries that can boast an AAA rating with a stable outlook from Standard and Poor's. This outstanding rating is an indicator of the stability and reliability of Liechtenstein as a financial centre.

As with other providers, willbe's investment process shows a commitment to sustainability. But that's where the similarities end. Our investment process is based on LLB's proven asset management process.  Our investment universe, with seven investment themes, is consistently aligned with the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals and is based on MSCI ESG ratings in conjunction with LLB's strict sustainability process.This enables us to identify precisely those companies that are particularly suitable for sustainable investment. You can combine up to 7 investment topics to suit your preferences.

We do not have automated advisors: we use experienced asset management professionals who select investment opportunities for you. We have been doing this successfully for our asset management clients for decades, and have regularly received awards. Now, all of willbe’s experience is at your disposal.

Access to your data may be given internally and externally. In principle, personal data leaves the bank only in special cases and only in compliance with banking secrecy and the relevant provisions of data protection law. As a bank based within the EEA, LLB is tied to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in particular, which is implemented by the Liechtenstein Data Protection Act. If there is a legal or supervisory obligation, public bodies and institutions may also receive this data. Details on this and who can (potentially) access your personal data is available in our data protection policy.

As a bank based within the EEA, LLB is tied to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in particular, which is implemented by the Liechtenstein Data Protection Act. Regardless of where your personal data is stored (or "processed"), LLB is responsible for compliance with these strict GDPR requirements. More information about how LLB handles your data can be found in our data protection policy.

If you have changed the biometric data on your device logging in with fingerprint or FaceID may no longer work. If you deactivate and reactivate the biometric login in the app settings, the data will be updated and the login with biometric feature will be possible again.

We are required by law to verify your identity. This includes checking your ID document and also comparing the photo on the ID with your face. We use this data exclusively to fulfil our legal obligations, and we store all your data according to the highest security standards in our own data centres in Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The issue might be caused by expired Play Protect certification. On older devices without recent software updates, this certification is no longer renewed automatically. Manual certification via the Google website will resolve the problem.

1.Check Play Protect certification

• Open the Google Play store → Profile → Settings → About → Play Protect certification.
• If it says “Not certified” you need to register your device.

2. Register via Google

• Go to the official page: https://www.google.com/android/uncertified/.
• Enter your GSF ID (Google Services Framework ID).
• You can find the GSF ID using an app like ‘Device ID’ from the Play Store.
• It may take a few hours after registration for the certification to become active.

3. Alternatives

• System update: Make sure you have the latest versions of Android and Google Play Services.
• Flash stock ROM: If you’re using a custom ROM, switching to an official ROM often helps.
• Factory reset: You may need to reset after registration for the changes to take effect.

German claims can be enforced in Liechtenstein. However, Liechtenstein does not have an enforcement agreement with Germany. This means creditors cannot directly enforce a German judgment in Liechtenstein so a separate procedure before a Liechtenstein court is required. This applies to both private and state claims.

Your gold is stored in the vault of Liechtensteinische Landesbank, outside the EU and any means of direct access.

Liechtenstein is one of the most stable financial centres worldwide. The country is debt-free and holds an AAA rating, which signifies the highest level of creditworthiness and economic stability, and it has some of the strictest property protection laws in the world. Its political neutrality and decades of stability make it one of the safest places for storing assets such as gold.

Liechtenstein has no direct mechanisms for foreign wealth levies or special taxes. Property rights are heavily protected, making state access extremely unlikely. However, assets cannot be hidden in Liechtenstein. Relevant data is reported under international information exchange standards (OECD), so theoretically taxes can be claimed based on assets booked in Liechtenstein. Enforcement of such claims is subject to the requirements described above.

We offer a wide range of international currencies and precious metals. This means we can guarantee payouts even in the event of drastic changes in the euro or US dollar. In particular, the abolition of cash in our home currency, the Swiss franc, is currently considered extremely unlikely and would not have majority support among the population.

Gold is not a claim, it is a tangible asset. Our gold holdings are owned by our customers and are not part of the bank’s balance sheet. At willbe, you acquire shares in a one-kilogram gold bar. These shares are classified as segregated assets (“special assets”) of the bank and remain protected even in the event of a bank insolvency.

A ban on gold within the EU cannot be entirely ruled out – particularly in times of crisis when governments may resort to emergency legislation or special decrees to gain access to assets.

However, since Liechtenstein is not part of the EU, gold stored there is not subject to the European Union’s direct regulations or expropriation measures.

Liechtenstein offers a unique combination of security, stability and discretion, making it one of the best locations for gold storage. The principality is politically neutral, debt-free, and holds an AAA rating, ensuring the highest level of economic stability. Since Liechtenstein is not a member of the EU, willbe Gold is not subject to EU regulations or potential access measures. The gold is stored at the renowned Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB), which maintains a strong equity position.

Yes. Your gold is insured while it is stored in the vault of Liechtensteinische Landesbank. The insurance covers risks such as theft, fire and other forms of damage to the vault. This ensures that your gold remains protected even in the unlikely event of loss.

You purchase a gram-based share of a one-kilogram gold bar stored securely in the vault of Liechtensteinische Landesbank. Through the app, you can view your gold at any time via a live camera feed.

Currently, there is no central EU asset register. As a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), Liechtenstein is closely integrated with the EU single market but does not automatically adopt every piece of EU regulation. If Liechtenstein were to join a future EU asset register it would require a decision at the national level.

Liechtenstein benefits from an exceptionally high level of electricity supply security and is considered one of the best-protected countries in Europe. This is largely due to its strong technical integration with Switzerland’s power grid, one of the most reliable interconnected electricity networks in the world.

The country is connected to the Swiss grid via four independent transmission lines. These multiple connections provide a high degree of redundancy, ensuring that the failure of any single line can usually be managed without disruption to the overall power supply.

In the unlikely event of a blackout, Liechtenstein is able to operate its own independent island grid. This can be powered by the Samina power plant and, if necessary, supplemented by the Lawena power plant. Operating independently of external power sources, this island grid ensures that critical infrastructure continues to receive a reliable supply of electricity.

A blackout would have no impact on your assets. Your accounts, investments and portfolios would remain fully intact. Access to digital banking services may be temporarily limited during a power outage, but your assets are secure and will be available to you as usual once systems are restored.

You can find the prices here on the willbe homepage: willbe-invest.com.

In the USA, there is an estate tax when a person passes away. This also applies to non-US persons who have invested in US securities.

Basically, you will be liable for inheritance tax if you have more than USD 60'000 in assets with a US connection, such as stocks in US companies. However, due to double taxation agreements, the exemption limit can be much higher.

You can find more information here.

willbe Invest makes sure that your portfolio does not exceed this limit. If you don't own any securities outside of willbe Invest, you don't have to worry about US inheritance tax.

The W-8BEN form can help us document your status as a non-US person. The W-8BEN form can also be used to apply for reductions in retention of withholding tax for certain types of US income (e.g. US dividends) covered by the double taxation agreement. We will make use of these reductions for you wherever possible.

We fill in your name and address automatically using the personal information from your account. If any of this information is incorrect, please contact our client service team on service@willbe-invest.com before you confirm the W-8BEN form.

As a provider domiciled in Liechtenstein, willbe cannot offer the principle of final taxation common in Austria and Germany. This means there is no exemption order (Freistellungsauftrag) for customers residing in Germany. willbe customers receive an interest and balance certificate (willbe Cash) and/or tax report (willbe Invest) suitable for the tax authorities of their country of residence. These tax documents are free of charge and show customers how to declare their willbe accounts in their tax settlement.

German-domiciled customers who use cash accounts or fixed deposits in foreign currencies will also receive a full tax report from 2025. This is due to the change in the taxation of foreign currency gains.

If you are a willbe Cash customer, you will receive interest and balance certificates on 31 December of the financial year in your willbe mailbox. You simply need to enter the reported interest income in the relevant tax form under "Erträge aus Kapitalanlagen" or "Ausländische Kapitaleinkünfte".

If you are a willbe Invest customer, the tax report contains the income from your cash account and from your investment account. You will receive the report in your willbe mailbox in late April of the following year. The report takes a few weeks to create as it is prepared by an external company in accordance with the current tax laws of the country of residence.

All customers receive an e-tax statement in late March of the following year. You can upload this with your tax return, except in Appenzell Innerrhoden (as of March 2022).

The tax report is prepared in the year following the completion of a full tax year and can only be provided for complete tax years. If the customer relationship begins during an ongoing year, no tax report will be issued for that partial tax year. The first tax report will therefore be provided for the first full tax year in the year thereafter.

Example: If the customer relationship begins in August 2025, no tax report will be prepared for the 2025 tax year. The first tax report will relate to the 2026 tax year and will be made available at the end of March 2027.

All customers receive a tax report at the end of March of the following year, specifically tailored to Liechtenstein. The report includes instructions on how to enter the data into the personal tax return.

The tax report is prepared in the year following the completion of a full tax year and can only be provided for complete tax years. If the customer relationship begins during an ongoing year, no tax report will be issued for that partial tax year. The first tax report will therefore be provided for the first full tax year in the year thereafter.

Example: If the customer relationship begins in August 2025, no tax report will be prepared for the 2025 tax year. The first tax report will relate to the 2026 tax year and will be made available at the end of March 2027.

The 'Vorabpauschale' is a notional capital gain that is applied in Germany to funds with low or no distributions. It serves as a minimum taxation mechanism and usually does not apply to distributing funds. Since it is not automatically withheld, it must be declared manually in your tax return. All relevant information can be found in the willbe tax report, under ""Detailed breakdown of income and gains/losses.

Transfers between your own accounts – whether domestic or international – are not subject to reporting requirements.
However, cross-border payments to third parties must be reported for amounts of €50,000 or more, or the equivalent in foreign currency. Under the German Foreign Trade and Payments Ordinance (AWV), the relevant information must be submitted to the Deutsche Bundesbank.

TWR Market: Calculates the time-weighted return of all market instruments. Only the interest, dividends, and capital gains of the respective market instruments are considered here.

TWR Currency: Calculates the time-weighted return resulting from exchange rate effects.

TWR Total: The TWR Total is derived from the combination of the returns of TWR Market and TWR Currency. It thus reflects the total return, taking currency fluctuations into account.
Note: These two values are not simply added together for the calculation. The formula is as follows:
TWR Total = ((1 + TWR Market) * (1 + TWR Currency)) - 1

TWR (Time-Weighted Return) is a method for calculating the return of a portfolio that neutralizes the impact of deposits and withdrawals during the investment period on the return. It measures the performance of your portfolio independently of the size and timing of cash inflows or outflows. The calculation is based on the following formula:

TWR = (1 + r1) * (1 + r2) * (1 + r3) ... (1 + rt) − 1

Even with a positive TWR Market return, extreme currency losses can negatively impact the TWR Total (overall performance), or conversely, a negative TWR Currency return can be offset by a positive TWR Market return. The division into TWR Market and TWR Currency helps you distinguish between market and currency gains or losses.

Example:
Deposit is CHF 100
Performance is +2 %
Deposit value is 101 but should be 102.

Reason:

• Performance is calculated once a day based on the previous day’s official closing price. However, payments are shown straight away. This can result in discrepancies
• We calculate performance based on international standards for financial service providers (Global Investment Performance Standards, GIPS). Payments in, payments out, dividends, etc, are also taken into account in addition to price changes. The value calculated can therefore differ from a straightforward calculation.

You can adjust the return type either directly within each portfolio or via the general app settings.

Change the return type directly in your portfolio:

1. Open your portfolio (willbe Invest, ETFselect or Gold).
2. Tap the info icon (i) on the portfolio tile.
3. This will take you to the Performance Calculation view.
4. Here, you’ll see all three available return types.
5. Under ""Select return type"", choose your preferred option.

Change the return type via the app settings:

1. Open Settings in the app.
2. Navigate to General.
3. Under Performance, you can select your preferred return type.

Please note: The return type you select will be applied consistently throughout the entire willbe app. You can change it at any time.

In the willbe app, you can choose from three different return types: Simple Return, Total Return and Time Weighted Return (TWR). Each of these provides a different perspective on how your portfolio is performing. You can find a detailed explanation of all return types and how they are calculated here: https://willbe-invest.com/en/services/rendite-verstehen.

willbe is backed by Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB), headquartered in Vaduz (Principality of Liechtenstein). LLB has been one of the world's safest, best capitalised full-service banks for years. With an Aa1 deposit rating from Moody's, it is in the premier league of banks in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. With a history stretching back almost 160 years, LLB is steeped in more tradition than any other bank in Liechtenstein.

Yes, willbe is an app that you can download for free on our website or in the App Store for iPhones and the Play Store for Android devices. But of course willbe is much more than that – it’s also a new way for everyone to save money securely under attractive conditions and invest affordably in the sustainable topics that truly matter to them.

willbe is a digital platform for conscious financial management with a combination of secure savings under attractive conditions and sustainable investing from day one. Save with the willbe cash account from the first centime or cent with attractive interest rates and invest your money affordably and sustainably in the topics that interest you – starting from just CHF/EUR 200.

willbe Invest lets you invest in a hand-picked selection of high-impact assets – stocks, bonds or ETFs. We've made investing more accessible than ever. Thanks to fractional shares, you can invest in just a portion of a stock or ETF, benefit from rising prices, and diversify your portfolio. This gives you access to award-winning asset management – even with small investments.

willbe does not have its own legal form. It's part of the LLB group, offering 160 years of security and experience.

LLB founded willbe and owns it 100 %. This enables you to benefit 100 % from 160 years of experience in investing. No other sustainable financial platform can claim that. LLB has been one of the world's safest, best capitalised full-service banks for years. With an Aa1 deposit rating from Moody's, it is in the premier league of banks in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. With its long history, LLB is steeped in more tradition than any other bank in Liechtenstein.

willbe lets you invest your money even more securely and responsibly, while growing your assets step by step. Start with secure savings, available instantly free of charge, and invest in some of the most sustainable assets that are helping to shape a better future with willbe Invest. Trust in one of the safest banks in the world and the experience of a 30-strong asset management team. Based on their input, a quantitative model builds portfolios that are as efficient as possible. Thanks to fractional shares, even smaller assets can be invested in all the individual stocks. Another unique feature is that you can set your investment priorities by determining the topics in which you want your portfolio to invest.

At LLB, sustainability isn’t just a feature – it's a principle that guides everything we do. willbe Invest has a committed, dedicated team that gives you the best offers for sustainable investment every day.

willbe is fully owned by Liechtensteinische Landesbank (LLB), headquartered in Vaduz (Principality of Liechtenstein), and thus has the same domicile as LLB.

At willbe, it is not possible to store advance directives or banking powers of attorney in advance.

If, due to illness, accident or other reasons, you are no longer able to manage your banking affairs yourself, a legally authorised representative will be appointed. This person must contact willbe directly to take control of your accounts and balances.

Please note: Due to the legal complexity, we reserve the right to review each case individually to protect our clients’ assets from potentially unlawful access.

At willbe, joint accounts and powers of attorney are not available. Transferring or reassigning an account or portfolio to a third party during the account holder's lifetime is currently not possible. In the event of a customer's death, heirs can access the invested capital by following these steps:

1. The heirs/estate administration send official confirmation of death (e.g. the death certificate) to service@willbe-invest.com.
2. After receiving and checking the documents, the sale of the securities is initiated in a willbe investment account. Sales can take up to three weeks.
3. After all securities have been sold and settled, the available amount will be transferred to the reference account (i.e. the account at the customer’s primary bank). If there are multiple reference accounts, we will use the one that most recently had an incoming or outgoing transaction in the customer’s home currency. If the deceased customer only held a cash account, this transfer will take place a few days after the death certificate has been received.
4. The heirs now have access to the capital via the account at the deceased customer's main bank.
5. After the transfer to the main bank, the willbe account is balanced.
6. The tax report for the deceased’s income tax return must be requested by the heirs via email to service@willbe-invest.com in April of the following year. willbe automatically sends the tax documents to the deceased’s email address. If the heirs do not have access to this mailbox, they can contact willbe support.                                                             

If the payout to the reference account fails or if, as part of the death notification, it is explicitly stated that no payout is desired, we can comply with this request. However, we would like to point out the following:

• By making the payout, the heirs have one less institution to deal with when settling the estate.
• The legal situation in Liechtenstein requires an original certificate of inheritance or a European Certificate of Succession. This document is common in Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein, but not in Germany. It must be explicitly ordered and, in Germany, depending on the size of the estate, can involve substantial costs. We therefore strongly recommend closing the account.

If your app store does not show you the willbe app, your device is probably running an older operating system. For security reasons, we cannot support OS versions for which there are no longer any security updates from Google or Apple.

Currently we support Android version 10 and higher and iOS version 16.4 and higher.

No. Unfortunately, you cannot set up a power of attorney for another person.

Currently you cannot change the selected reference currency after registration.

willbe uses the official reference rates of the European Central Bank (ECB) to convert foreign currency positions into your reference currency.

This means the conversion is based on the reference rates published by the ECB to ensure transparent and consistent valuation. In the willbe app, the ECB reference rate from the previous day is displayed.

You can find the official ECB reference rates here: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/stats/policy_and_exchange_rates/euro_reference_exchange_rates/html/index.en.html

Update the app manually – here's how:

1. Open the App Store (iPhone) or the Play Store (Android)
2. Search for "willbe: saving and investment"
3. Tap on the app
4. Select "Update"

willbe works flexibly on smartphones with at least iOS 16.4 or Android 10, tablets, laptops and desktop PCs – no matter where you are.

Please send us an email at service@willbe-invest.com, or a message in the app.

We combine the best of both worlds! Our experienced asset management team works on a constant evaluation of investment opportunities. We have been doing this successfully for our asset management clients for decades and have regularly won awards for it. Our willbe Optimizer makes this expertise accessible to everyone, ensuring processes are executed quickly and market opportunities are taken up swiftly. With willbe, you benefit from the perfect synergy of smart technology and LLB's award-winning investment expertise.