A private bank is a bank which offers private banking services. They specialize in clients with large accounts (the minimum balance varies) who want their money invested and managed for the long term.

The first private banks were created in Geneva in the 1800s as partnerships, and some are still in the hands of the original families. In Switzerland, such private banks are called private bankers (a protected term) to distinguish them from the other private banks who are usually share corporations. In practice most people would refer to them as private banks.

Switzerland is the number one banking destination for international clients for many reasons.