The lowdown on the Swiss franc
The Swiss Franc is accepted in the following countries:
- Switzerland
- Lichtenstein
- Italian Exclave (Campione d’Italia)
Economical Influences and the Swiss Franc
If you are considering converting AUD to CHF, it is good to get a snapshot on how the economy of the country influences the Switzerland exchange rate.
The Franc is seen by some as the “neutral” currency and a safe haven for the foreign exchange market; which may be partly due to the Swiss National Bank limiting Swiss Franc’s trades in the foreign exchange market to keep interest rates stable and to reduce volatility.
Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU), its surrounding Eurozone Neighbours are its main trading partner - with approximately 78% of Swiss imports coming from the EU.1
Swiss Franc Historical Exchange Rate
15th January 2015 was a significant moment in recent CHF exchange rate history. The Swiss National Bank made a surprise announcement that the Swiss Franc will no longer hold a minimum exchange rate with the Euro. This was particularly significant during the period with the European debt crisis and a loose monetary policy diminishing the attractiveness of the US Dollar. 2
This announcement by the Swiss Central Bank caused the Franc to surge by around 30%; and subsequently, the AUD by 2.4% due to the absence of one of the largest buyers of euros from the market meaning the Australian dollar should trade higher against the euro.3
Learn more about the Swiss Franc before you travel to Switzerland and create a currency rate alert so we can notify you when it hits your ideal exchange rate.