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In Switzerland, approximately 95 billion francs are inherited each year—and the trend is on the rise. For banks, inheritance is therefore one of the most strategically sensitive moments: assets are being redistributed and are at risk of leaving the bank. No wonder many institutions are turning to the obvious solution and considering developing their own digital estate planning solution. But the crucial question is rarely “Do we want to offer something like this?” but rather “Build it ourselves or buy it?”—and the true costs of in-house development don’t become apparent at launch, but in the years that follow.
Why this issue belongs on the agenda
Every other franc of wealth in Switzerland is inherited. The median estate is around 170,000 francs—and a great many of these are standard cases. At the same time, at numerous banks, more than 25 percent of the clientele is over 70 years old. Upon death, these assets must be redistributed, and without establishing early contact with the next generation of heirs, they will flow to other financial institutions.
A digital estate planning solution lowers the barrier to entry for this often-overlooked topic and gets the bank involved in the conversation early on. So the question isn’t whether, but how to get there.
What "Build" Really Costs
1. Structure: Law Meets Technology
Property and inheritance law are complex, and a reliable solution must accurately reflect the statutory order of succession, reserved shares, and the discretionary portion for all 26 cantons. The 2023 revision of inheritance law—which will allow testators to freely dispose of a larger portion of their estate—demonstrates just how quickly the legal landscape is changing. You therefore need both legal and technical expertise over a long period of time.
2. Care: The Underestimated, Ever-Present Issue
The law is constantly evolving. Every change in the law, every adjustment to cantonal portals, and every update to Fedlex, ch.ch, or the FTA must be incorporated; otherwise, the tool becomes outdated and poses a reputational risk. The 2023 revision was not a one-time event, but a preview: Those who build their own systems tie up capacity indefinitely just to maintain the technical content.
3. Business Case: The numbers rarely add up
4. Time to Market and Opportunity Costs
What "Buy" Offers
ONLU Erben turns the logic on its head: Instead of a multi-million project, you implement a proven, source-based solution that strictly adheres to regulatory boundaries—providing initial guidance rather than binding legal or tax advice.
- Ready to use right away, with predictable costs instead of long lead times
- Sources are kept up to date for you (last updated on May 13, 2026)
- 4-Step Inheritance Calculator, Death Checklist, and List of Government Agencies and Sources for All 26 Cantons
- White-label compatible: as a standalone offering, an embedded widget, or through co-branding
- Their specialists focus on complex, lucrative assignments
Build vs. Buy: A Direct Comparison
| Dimension | In-house development | ONLU Heirs |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Market | 12–24+ months | Ready for immediate use |
| Cost Structure | High investment, difficult to plan | Predictable, without a multi-million project |
| Legal Support | Your Team, Long-Term | We’ll take care of it for you |
| 26 cantons & federal sources | You monitor everything yourself | Kept up to date |
| 2023 Revision & Future Changes | They incorporate every change | Included |
| Regulatory Limit | Define and secure it yourself | Built in from the start |
| Specialists | Committed to development and standard cases | Available for complex cases |
When In-House Development Can Still Be Worth It
To be fair: There are situations in which a custom-built solution makes sense. For example, if you have very specific requirements that no standard solution can meet; if deep integration with proprietary core systems is strategically crucial; or if you are able and willing to maintain your own legal and technical capacity for ongoing support. For most institutions, however—especially those where estate planning is just one issue among many—the burden of maintenance outweighs the benefits of control.
Conclusion
The decision between “Build” and “Buy” isn’t based on the launch date, but on who will be responsible for legal maintenance over the years. In-house development ties up budget, legal resources, and maintenance for years, whereas a turnkey solution is ready for immediate use and easy to plan for. For most banks, insurance companies, and financial service providers, “Buy” is therefore not a compromise, but rather the faster and more predictable way to establish an early presence in estate planning and keep assets in-house.
View the complete cost comparison.
On the reference page, we provide a detailed comparison of “Build vs. Buy,” including features, integration, and pilot options.
