BKB Bank: Basel and Bern -Comprehensive Digital Access for BKB and BEKB Clients

In the Swiss economic landscape, the Cantonal Banks of Basel and Bern—Basler Kantonalbank (BKB) and Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB)—represent more than just regional financial institutions; they are the "Hidden Champions" of corporate banking. For businesses operating in these key economic hubs, the digital suites provided by BKB and BEKB offer a sophisticated, modular environment that bridges the gap between traditional retail banking and high-level treasury management.

BKB: The Digital Hub for Northwest Switzerland

Basler Kantonalbank (BKB) has positioned itself as a "universal bank" with a digital-first mindset. Its BKB Digital Banking platform is engineered for efficiency, providing corporate clients with a 360-degree view of their financial health.

Key Features for Businesses:

  • BKB FX-Trading: For companies with international exposure, BKB offers a dedicated platform for foreign exchange and precious metals, providing real-time execution at market rates.
  • Finance Assistant: An integrated analytical tool that automatically categorizes and visualizes expenditure, allowing CFOs to spot cash flow trends at a glance.
  • Customizable Dashboards: Users can compile their own "Home Screen" to prioritize the functions they use most, such as batch payment approvals or securities tracking.

BEKB: Simplicity and Strength in the Capital

Berner Kantonalbank (BEKB) focuses on "Security through Simplicity." Its digital ecosystem, centered around the BEKB App and the BEKB Client Portal, is designed to handle complex SME requirements without the administrative "bells and whistles" that can slow down daily operations.

Corporate Capabilities include:

  • e-Safe & Digital Mailbox: Developed in partnership with DSwiss, this module provides an encrypted environment for storing sensitive corporate documents and passwords, doubling as a digital archive that meets Swiss legal retention periods (10 years).
  • Direct Mortgages & Business Loans: BEKB’s portal provides a clear overview of financing obligations, including real-time tracking of interest rates, terms, and remaining limits.
  • Integrated Wealth Management: For businesses with surplus liquidity, the portal offers direct access to custody accounts, allowing for the buy/sell execution of securities and detailed depot analysis.

Comparison of Security & Access

Both banks utilize a "Zero Trust" philosophy, ensuring that every transaction and login is verified through independent hardware or biometric channels.

FeatureBKB (Basler Kantonalbank)BEKB (Berner Kantonalbank)
Primary LoginBKB Digital Banking AppBEKB smartLogin App
AuthenticationFaceID / TouchID / Device BindingPIN / Biometrics / Hardware Token
Payment SigningIntegrated App ApprovalBEKB smartLogin Signing
ERP IntegrationSIC/SEPA & Standard APIbLink / SIC / SEPA Rails

Seamless Accounts Payable

Both portals are built to support the Swiss QR-Bill standard. Through their respective mobile apps, users can scan invoices to instantly populate payment fields in the web portal.

  1. eBill Portal: Receive invoices directly within the banking environment, eliminating the risk of lost emails or fraudulent physical mail.
  2. Bulk Processing: Upload payment files (PAIN.001) generated from your accounting software for one-click authorization of thousands of transactions.

Governance for Teams

For organizations with multiple employees, both banks offer robust User Management modules. Administrators can:

  • Set Signature Rules: Define whether a payment requires a single signature or a joint "A+B" signature (Four-Eyes Principle).
  • Limit Control: Set individual transaction or daily limits for employees to prevent unauthorized large-scale transfers.
  • Audit Trails: Access a comprehensive history of which user performed which action, providing essential data for annual audits.

Conclusion

BKB and BEKB prove that regional banking does not mean a compromise on technology. By providing integrated tools for FX trading, document archiving, and seamless ERP connectivity, they empower the businesses of Basel and Bern to operate with global efficiency while maintaining local trust.