The world of mobile banking on one's wrist continues to move forward - this time in Switzerland - which is appropriate in the land of some of the greatest timepieces of all.

Swissquote Bank has launched what it claims is the first mobile banking and trading app developed by a bank in the Alpine state for the Apple Watch ahead of that item’s official Swiss launch date today.

The app, which is free, is an add-on and extension of the current Swissquote iPhone mobile banking and trading application. The app provides direct access to financial news and currency exchange rates. Users can keep tabs on their own customised list of favourite stocks and follow their daily or historical evolution.

“With this App we continue to democratise the world of finance. And we stay true to our philosophy of being pioneers in mobile banking. Today, 15 per cent of our trades are made through mobile applications,” Paolo Buzzi, chief technical officer at Swissquote, said.

“We expect this figure to further rise with the increasing popularity of mobile payments and wearable connectivity. Our clients need to have access to the latest financial information to make informed decisions and not miss important opportunities. The next most logical way for us to continue to provide this information was through the Apple Watch,” Buzzi said.

Swissquote says it was also the first Swiss bank to launch a trading application for the iPhone in 2008, and then for the iPad in 2010.

Meanwhile, Citigroup said it was launching an app for the Apple Watch earlier this year.