Keeping bank statements: 10 years

Scope: what exactly applies

Two things that often get conflated need separating: the account statement and the individual payment record. The statement proves the movement, the invoice behind it proves the reason — the retention obligation covers both, because only together do they explain the entry. Second point: many banks keep e-banking documents available only for a limited time, often well short of ten years. The statutory duty, however, is yours, not the bank's. If you do not download and file the statements yourself, at the end of the period you will be missing exactly the evidence you would have to produce.

When does the period start? An example

A document from March 2026 belongs to the 2026 financial year and remains subject to retention until the end of 2036 — the period runs from the end of the financial year, not from the document date.

In practice with bexio

bexio pulls account movements through the banking interface, but the statement PDF stays with your bank. Download it monthly and file it with the financial year. quintio continuously mirrors what is in bexio into your own Google Drive — no mirror can secure statements you never filed there.

Related retention periods

• Invoices 10 years — insofar as they substantiate an entry
• Receipts and cash-register slips 10 years as accounting vouchers
• VAT-relevant documents until the absolute limitation of the tax claim
• Annual and audit report 10 years — signed
• To the retention period calculator
• Retention obligation in Switzerland: who, what, how long

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

How long must I keep account statements?

Ten years from the end of the financial year. Account statements are accounting vouchers under Art. 958f CO.

Is the statement enough, or do I need the invoice too?

Both. The statement substantiates the payment, the invoice the reason. A traceable entry needs the link between them.

My bank deletes e-banking documents after a few years — is that my problem?

Yes. The retention obligation lies with your company, not the bank. Download the statements regularly and file them yourself.