When people think of mortgages, they usually think of the bank. But it is not only banks that offer mortgages – many customers are unaware that insurance companies in particular offer mortgages at very favorable conditions.
Niche role of insurance companies in the Swiss mortgage market
The domestic mortgage market is dominated by the banks. The two big banks UBS and Credit Suisse and the group of cantonal banks have the largest market shares (about two-thirds). At the same time, it is becoming increasingly apparent that, for reasons of diversification, the cantonal banks in particular are more and more interested in providing larger financing outside their own catchment area. Raiffeisen banks have made strong gains in recent years, currently (2013) holding around 16% of mortgage receivables. The remaining 20% is shared by regional banks and savings banks, which generally operate only locally, and the other banks (including Migrosbank, Bank Coop and Postfinance). Since mortgage lending is not part of the core business of insurance companies, they play only a minor role in the Swiss mortgage market as a whole.
Interesting conditions for owner-occupied homes and MFHs
Often mortgage customers are not aware that insurance companies also offer mortgages. While insurance companies generally focus on so-called "standard financing" (i.e.h. Carrying capacity up to max. 33%, loan-to-value up to max. 80%, no construction financing, no luxury properties) – but especially for owner-occupied residential property or for multi-family houses, the mortgage interest rates offered are extremely attractive – so that the banks can often only keep up with difficulty.




