Our Review of the Frankly Pillar 3a Account in 2025
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Frankly is one of Switzerland’s top-performing 3a solutions. Developed by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and Swisscanto, it focuses on low fees, transparent management, ESG portfolios, and a smooth app. A simple and digital offering, but is it truly the best option for retirement planning?
Description
A simple, digital, and reliable Pillar 3a solution? Frankly is a Pillar 3a solution developed by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB) and its subsidiary specializing in investment funds, Swisscanto.
It offers low fees, transparent management, ESG portfolios, and a very smooth app. We’ve analyzed its strengths, limitations, investment philosophy, and fees to see if Frankly lives up to its promises.
Frankly’s Offering
Frankly is a digital Pillar 3a solution developed by Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), via Swisscanto. The goal is clear: to simplify retirement savings with a 100% digital product, easily managed from a mobile app or browser.
Specifically, you can:
- open one or more Pillar 3a accounts
- invest in a selection of approximately 20 Swisscanto index funds
- adjust your risk profile
- track your performance in real time
- easily transfer existing 3a assets
Good to know: it is a real invested bank 3a account, not just a traditional savings product.
How does investing with Frankly work?
A Clear and Passive Investment Model
Frankly is based on an index investment philosophy via Swisscanto funds. The approach is diversified, simple, and suitable for long-term investment horizons.
Each portfolio includes a varying proportion of Swiss and global equities depending on the chosen profile.
- Up to 95% equities depending on the selected profile
- All funds are managed according to an ESG (sustainable) approach, at no additional cost
- Possibility to allocate capital across multiple profiles simultaneously
Available Risk Profiles
You can choose from 5 risk profiles depending on your tolerance and investment horizon:
| Profile Name | Risk |
| 0% Equities | Very Low |
| 25% Equities | Low |
| 45% Equities | Medium |
| 75% Equities | High |
| 95% Equities | Very high |
📌 You can change your profile at any time (free of charge) or distribute your assets across multiple profiles.
Yes. The 0% profile is invested solely in bonds, with no exposure to equity markets.
But beware: it is not invested in pure cash.
Yes, free of charge and at any time.
Yes, Frankly allows you to create multiple accounts to better manage your taxation at the time of withdrawal.
Fees at Frankly
This is one of Frankly’s strengths.
- Total fees: 0.44% / year, all-inclusive
(includes portfolio management fees + fund fees) - No opening, deposit, or transfer fees
- No fees on monthly deposits or on incoming external 3a transfers
Frankly’s fees are competitive, even if they are not the lowest on the market. The difference remains marginal for most users.
Opening and Management of the Frankly 3a Account
100% Digital Opening
Opening a Frankly account is quick (approximately 10 minutes), directly from the mobile app (iOS or Android) or via the website.
- Identity verified by video identification
- Account active immediately after validation
- No need to have an account with ZKB Bank
Transfer of Existing 3a Assets
Frankly facilitates transfers from other providers:
- Direct upload of a transfer document
- No incoming fees
- Real-time tracking of transfer status
Yes, and free of charge. The process is simple and everything is managed within the app.
The Frankly App
The Frankly app is one of the highest-rated features by users.
- Clear performance visualization
- Tracking of net returns (after fees)
- Easy risk profile adjustment
- Ability to make one-time or recurring payments
- Interface in French, German, Italian
✔ The app is smooth, fast, and without graphical clutter.
What We Would Have Liked to See
Frankly should offer retirement projection features or an integrated simulator to refine one’s plan (e.g., target date or annuity goal). It remains a manual, simple, and efficient management system, but without advanced customization.
No, there is also a full web interface.
Frankly Account Security
Frankly is backed by strong players in the Swiss banking system:
- Custodian Bank: Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), one of the largest cantonal banks, rated AA+
- Fund Provider: Swisscanto, a ZKB subsidiary specializing in pension funds
- Pension Foundation: Swisscanto Pension Foundation, supervised by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)
3a assets are protected under Swiss rules:
- Segregated assets from the bank’s balance sheet: the funds legally belong to you
- Regulatory oversight by FINMA & cantonal authorities
- Pension foundation structure, like all serious 3a solutions
In case of bankruptcy of Frankly or ZKB:
- Your assets are not lost
- They are protected and transferable to another provider
Yes. Frankly applies the same protection rules as all approved Swiss Pillar 3a solutions.
Partnership Frankly x Neon
Frankly benefits from a strategic partnership with Neon, the Swiss neobank. Specifically, this allows all Neon users to open a 3a account with Frankly and receive a welcome bonus of CHF 35.
Who is Frankly suitable for?
Frankly is Suitable if…
| Situation | Why Frankly works well |
| You want to limit 3a fees | With 0.44% per year all-inclusive, Frankly is one of the most competitive solutions on the market |
| You want to invest responsibly (ESG) | All proposed funds meet ESG criteria, with no extra cost |
| You want to manage your 3a easily from an app | The Frankly app is smooth, clear, with a web interface available |
| You are looking to split your 3a among several portfolios | Frankly allows you to open several accounts, each with a different strategy |
| You want to transfer an existing 3a easily | The process is fast, free, and fully digital |
| You already use the Neon neobank | Frankly is integrated into the Neon app, with a welcome bonus and direct activation |
| You are looking for a 100% Swiss, transparent solution | Frankly is operated by ZKB, via a pension foundation supervised by FINMA |
Frankly is less Suitable if…
| Situation | Why it might be an issue |
| You want an automated strategy with a target date | No managed investment or automatic portfolio adjustment over time |
| You are looking for an integrated retirement calculator | Frankly does not offer capital projections or annuity calculations |
| You want personalized support or advice | No advisory service is offered in the app |
| You want to invest only in cash without market risk | The 0% equity profile remains invested in bond funds, not in pure cash |
Also read
- Review and Test of the Zak 3a 3rd Pillar
- Finpension 3a 3rd Pillar Review and Test
- The Best 3rd Pillar (3a) Accounts in Switzerland
What do you think of Frankly for your retirement planning?
- Did the Frankly app make it easier to open the account?
- What feature would you like to improve at Frankly?
- Is Frankly Pillar 3a sufficiently optimized for you?
Share your feedback with all Neo’s friends 😈
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