General Terms and Conditions (GTC)

General Terms and Conditions for the Use of Payment Instruments of Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services AG

 Publication Date: July 30, 2026

1.   Scope and definitions
The General Terms and Conditions (hereinafter "Terms and Conditions") govern the business relationships between Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services AG (hereinafter "SBPS") and its customers.
A "Customer" is any natural or legal person who enters into a contractual relationship with SBPS in connection with a Product or a Card relationship based on such a Product. 
"Products" refer to the prepaid and Card payment solutions offered by SBPS. The Products may differ in particular with regard to features, possible uses, limitations and fees.
Within the scope of a Product, SBPS provides the Customer with one or more payment instruments in the form of Cards (hereinafter "Card"). Cards may be issued physically or virtually and can be used, in particular, on mobile devices such as smartphones, smartwatches, and similar devices. 
Each Card is linked to a Card account through which all transactions are processed.
The "App" refers to the mobile application provided by SBPS for the management of Products and Cards.
The term "Website" refers to the SBPS website, www.swissbankers.ch.
The contractual relationship between SBPS and the Customer is established when a Card is ordered via the Website, the App, or through a retail outlet or a distribution partner of SBPS. If the Terms and Conditions have not already been accepted during the ordering process, they shall be deemed to have been accepted at the latest upon the first use of the Card.
The term "Communication Channels" refers to all means of communication operated or supported by SBPS for transmitting information and notifications to the Customer, in particular the App, the Website, email, SMS, push notifications, telephone, and postal mail.
SBPS is one of several subsidiaries of Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG and is therefore part of the Hypothekarbank Lenzburg AG group (hereinafter "HBL Group").

2.   Customer identification
When placing an order, the Customer must provide SBPS with all personal data required for the relevant Product and submit the necessary proof of identity. The Customer must provide SBPS with all information and documents required for the full identification of the Customer relationship.
The Customer is required to provide accurate information and is fully liable for any consequences arising from incorrect statements.
The Customer must immediately notify of any changes relevant to the business relationship (in particular, name, address, or tax residence) via the Communication Channels provided.

3.   Identification and Right of Debit
Any person shall be deemed authorised by SBPS to use the Card if they provide proof of identity by means of the Card and/or the Means of identification.
"Means of identification" include all personal security and authentication elements that are made available to the Customer for use of the Card, the Card account, or the associated services, or that are specified by the Customer. These include, in particular, PIN codes, passwords, one-time codes, authentication procedures (e.g., 3-D Secure, Mastercard® SecureCodes / Identity Checks), biometric features, as well as comparable security features.
The Customer authorises the merchant to initiate transactions using Means of identification and authorises SBPS to debit the Card account for the amounts thereby authorised and to reimburse the merchant for these amounts irrevocably.
Disputes relating to such transactions must be settled directly with the relevant merchant and do not affect SBPS’s right to debit the Card account.

4.    Card usage (functions)
Depending on the Product, the Card can be used for one or more of the following functions:
a)    to pay for goods and services in Switzerland and abroad (payment function) at merchant outlets;
b)    to withdraw cash in Switzerland and abroad at ATMs or merchant outlets (cash withdrawal function);
c)    for other services that SBPS may offer.
The Customer may use the Card exclusively for payment or cash withdrawal at payment terminals, ATMs or merchant outlets that are physically or virtually marked with the Mastercard® logo.
SBPS accepts no liability if the Card is not accepted or its use is restricted for technical, operational or other reasons.
SBPS is entitled at any time (e.g. in the event of suspected misuse) to reject and not process transactions without prior consultation with the Customer.
SBPS is entitled to expand, restrict, or amend the possible uses of the Card at any time.

5.   Balance and loading limits
The Card account associated with each Product is managed by SBPS in the relevant Card currency.
Each Card account has a balance and a loading limit, which depend on the Product and can be viewed on the Website.
SBPS reserves the right to adjust the maximum Card balance, the frequency of loadings and the maximum amount that may be loaded or used per Card within a certain period at any time.

6.   Card blocking
SBPS will block the Card if the Customer reports the loss of the Card and/or the PIN code and/or other Means of identification or expressly requests that the Card be blocked. SBPS is also entitled to block a Card at any time without giving reasons.
The Customer may also block and unblock their Card themselves at any time via the App.
Transactions carried out before the Card was blocked may still be debited to the Card account retrospectively. SBPS accepts no liability for any damages incurred by the Customer as a result of the Card being blocked.

7.   Customer Obligations
7.1.    Obligation to provide information
If SBPS requires further information, in particular regarding the Customer or transactions carried out, due to statutory or regulatory obligations, the Customer is obliged to comply with such requests for information within 10 days.
If the Customer fails to comply with this obligation to provide information, SBPS is entitled to block the affected Card until the information has been provided in full.

7.2.    Duties of care
When using the Card, the Customer must, in particular, fully comply with the following duties of care at all times:
a)    Signature: Upon receipt of the physical Card, the Customer must sign it immediately in the space provided for this purpose.
b)    Safekeeping: The Card must be kept safe at all times and protected from access by third parties.
c)    Confidentiality: The Means of identification must be kept confidential and must under no circumstances be disclosed by the Customer to third parties. The Customer undertakes, in particular, neither to write the Card PIN on the Card nor to store or save it in any other way, including in an altered form.
d)   Monitoring of Card transactions: The Customer is obliged to check their Card account regularly, but at least once a month, either in the App or via a statement of account. Any discrepancies must be reported to SBPS immediately, but no later than 30 days after the transaction date (see also Clause 8). 
e)    Changing the PIN code and other Means of identification: The Customer is required to change the initial PIN code immediately upon receipt. Changed PIN codes and other Means of identification must not consist of combinations that are easily guessed (telephone number, date of birth, car registration number, etc.).
f)    Reporting suspected misuse or loss: In the event of suspected misuse or loss of the Card, the PIN code or other Means of identification, the Card must be blocked immediately via the App and SBPS must be informed of the suspicion. If the Customer does not use the App, they must notify SBPS immediately so that the Card can be blocked.
g)    Compliance with all legal requirements: The Customer is responsible for complying with all legal requirements applicable to them (including tax laws). The Card may only be used for lawful purposes and transactions.
h)    Card credits and Card top-ups from unknown sources: The Customer undertakes to immediately report to SBPS any credits or Card top-ups where the reason and/or origin are unknown to them.

8.   Complaints and deemed approval
Complaints and discrepancies concerning the execution or non-execution of Card or Product functions, particularly in connection with transactions, debits, credits, or other Card movements, as well as other notifications from SBPS, must be raised as soon as the relevant information becomes available, but no later than 30 days after delivery.
If no notification is made within the specified time limit, the transactions, debits, credits and relevant notifications in question shall be deemed to have been authorised.

9.   Liability
The Customer is solely responsible for the careful use of the Card and for keeping the Means of identification confidential.
If the Customer has complied with these Terms and Conditions, in particular the duties of care set out in clause 7.2, and is not at fault, SBPS shall bear the costs of any damage incurred by the Customer as a result of unauthorised use of the Card by third parties. Upon receipt of compensation, the Customer shall assign their claims arising from the loss to SBPS and shall assist SBPS in investigating and minimising the damage.
If the Customer breaches their contractual obligations, in particular the duties of care set out in clause 7.2 or the reporting obligations under these Terms and Conditions, they shall be liable for all damages resulting from the unauthorised use of the Card until the Card is blocked. If SBPS incurs any damages or expenses as a result of a breach of duty by the Customer, SBPS is entitled to charge these to the Customer.

10.   Fees
Depending on the Product, fees may apply for top-ups, payments, cash withdrawals and other services (e.g., requests to block a Card or applications for a replacement Card). Detailed information on the applicable fees is available at https://www.swissbankers.ch/en/overview-of-fees. If the costs exceed the available Card balance, SBPS may terminate the Card relationship.
SBPS is entitled to pass on to the Customer any fees charged by ATM operators or other parties involved in the payment transaction for cash withdrawals at ATMs. 
The Customer is obliged to settle any negative balance on the Card account, including any accrued fees, within 30 days by topping up the Card. If no such settlement payment is made, SBPS is entitled to immediately declare the outstanding amount due and block the Card. Any reminder and debt collection fees shall be borne by the Customer.
SBPS reserves the right to offset any negative balance against any credit balance on a Card account held with SBPS in the Customer’s name.

11.   Transactions in a different currency
Transactions in a currency other than that of the Card account are converted into the currency of the respective Card account. The exchange rate set by the Mastercard® network is used for the conversion. The exchange rate applied is displayed after the transaction.

12.   Communication and notifications
SBPS is entitled to communicate with the Customer via the Communication Channels, provided that the Customer has supplied SBPS with the necessary contact information.
SBPS makes legally relevant information, Terms and Conditions, and documents available in the App or by publishing them on the Website, thereby fulfilling its legal obligations to provide information, clarification and notification.
Notifications from SBPS shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Customer as soon as they are sent to the contact information last provided by the Customer or made available in the electronic area controlled by the Customer. They shall be deemed to have been received at that point in time, regardless of whether the Customer actually accesses them.
SBPS may contact the Customer via the Communication Channels in the event of security risks or suspected or actual fraud, and inform them of any Card blocking and the reasons for it, provided this is legally permissible and is not precluded by any statutory, contractual or regulatory requirements. 
The Customer may contact SBPS via the Communication Channels, in particular by email, telephone or in writing by post. Clause 8 applies to complaints.
The current contact details of SBPS, as published in the App or on the Website, shall apply.

13.   Loss of contact and untraceable accounts
The Customer shall ensure that contact with SBPS is not lost.  
Should contact be lost, SBPS is entitled to charge fees in accordance with the currently valid schedule of fees for the administration and monitoring of Card relationships where contact has been lost, or the account is untraceable, as well as for re-establishing contact and carrying out enquiries. If the costs exceed the available Card balance, SBPS may terminate the Card relationship.
To avoid any unclaimed or untraceable assets, SBPS refers to the guidelines of the Swiss Bankers Association on the treatment of unclaimed and untraceable assets at Swiss banks, published at www.swissbanking.org.

14.    Banking secrecy and data protection
SBPS is subject to statutory obligations to maintain the confidentiality of data relating to its business relationship with the Customer (hereinafter "Customer Data"), in particular under Swiss banking secrecy laws and data protection regulations. The Customer hereby releases SBPS (and its management, employees, representatives and agents) from these confidentiality obligations and consents to the disclosure of such data, provided that:
a)    this is necessary for the execution of the Customer's orders and services at points of sale, distribution partners and merchant outlets (e.g. requests for refunds following a dispute over a transaction) or for cooperation with providers of loyalty programmes and other partners (including group insurance providers);
b)    this is done for the purpose of providing comprehensive and efficient Customer support together with parent and sister companies within the HBL Group;
c)    Customer Data is disclosed to SBPS suppliers and subcontractors, both domestically and abroad, to whom SBPS has outsourced certain services or from whom SBPS obtains certain (service) provisions;
d)   this is necessary to safeguard the legitimate interests of the Customer and/or SBPS, in particular in the event of legal actions initiated against SBPS by the Customer or third parties, to safeguard SBPS’s claims, in the event of public allegations made by the Customer against SBPS, and to prevent a loss of contact or untraceable accounts.
The Customer acknowledges that, in the cases listed under this clause 14, SBPS may also disclose Customer Data to recipients who are based abroad and/or who store or process Customer Data in systems located abroad. In this context, Customer Data may be disclosed to countries with an adequate level of data protection and to countries without an adequate level of data protection; in the latter case, SBPS ensures data protection by means of contractual safeguards. In particular, when there is a cross-border connection, foreign law, contractual obligations, or other practices may require that relevant Customer Data be disclosed to foreign authorities or third parties involved in the performance of the contract. The Customer consents to such disclosures of data abroad and acknowledges that Customer Data transferred abroad is no longer protected by Swiss law and that foreign laws and official orders may require the disclosure of this Customer Data to authorities and other third parties.
SBPS is not obliged to execute or offer orders and services if the Customer revokes their waivers and consents in accordance with clause 14. In such a case, SBPS may also terminate the contractual relationship with the Customer at any time in accordance with clause 16.
SBPS may process behavioural Customer Data, which does not allow direct identification of the Customer for marketing purposes and market research, in particular for the development of (service) offerings related to the Card relationship, Card usage, or ancillary/additional services.
Further information on the processing of Customer Data by SBPS can be found in the privacy policy, available at: https://www.swissbankers.ch/en/rechtliches/data-protection/.

15.   Mastercard® Update Services
Mastercard® offers update services that, upon renewal of a Card, automatically provide the necessary Card details (e.g., a new expiration date or a replacement Card) to participating merchants and mobile payment solution providers. This is intended to ensure that payments, e.g. for recurring services such as online services or subscriptions, can continue to be made even after a Card has been renewed.
The Customer agrees that SBPS may transmit the Card number and the expiration date of their Card or replacement Card to Mastercard® for the purpose of carrying out the update services.
Mastercard® is entitled to engage additional data processors. Mastercard® and the additional data processors process the Card data both domestically and abroad. Mastercard® takes appropriate measures to protect Card data, and the data processors are obligated to ensure an appropriate level of data protection. Mastercard® forwards the Card numbers and the updated expiry date via its global networks to merchants and providers of mobile payment solutions that support such an update service, as well as to other parties involved in the update services, such as, amongst others, acquirers or certified payment service providers.
SBPS grants the Customer the option to opt out of or withdraw from the update services. The Customer may submit their opt-out or withdrawal at any time by telephone, in writing or by email to SBPS customer service.

16.   Termination of the contractual relationship
The contractual relationship may be terminated at any time by the Customer or SBPS without giving reasons, and shall end upon full settlement of all the Customer’s Cards.
Irrespective of this, the contractual relationship shall end automatically as soon as all the Customer's Cards have expired and there is no longer any credit remaining on the Card accounts.
The Card is valid until the expiry date stated on it. Unless the Customer expressly waives this right, the Card will be automatically replaced by a new Card before the expiry date. If the Customer does not receive their new Card at least ten days before the previous Card expires, they must notify SBPS of this without delay. In the event of Card renewal, any remaining balance on the Card account will be transferred to the new Card.
SBPS reserves the right, without giving reasons, to reject a Card application or to refuse to renew a Card. In particular, SBPS does not accept Card applications from individuals liable for tax in the USA.

17.   Amendments to the Terms and Conditions
SBPS reserves the right to amend the Terms and Conditions at any time. Such amendments will be communicated to the Customer via the App and on the Website at least 30 days before they take effect and will be available there at any time. 
Amendments to the Terms and Conditions shall be deemed to have been approved unless the Customer terminates the contractual relationship in writing before the amendments come into effect.

18.    Governing law and jurisdiction
All legal relationships with SBPS are governed by Swiss law. The place of jurisdiction is Bern.
The current General Terms and Conditions can be viewed at www.swissbankers.ch. 

Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services AG
Kramgasse 4, 3506 Grosshöchstetten, Switzerland
+41 31 710 12 15, info@swissbankers.ch, swissbankers.ch

Edition July 2026
The Terms and Conditions come into force on 1 September 2026

19.    Right to Object
If you do not agree with the changes, you may object within 30 days using the contact form on our website.