In 1995, the Israeli media investigated rumors that the Nazi regime deposited assets stolen from Holocaust victims in Swiss Banks. Reports estimated that more than seven billion francs worth of gold and assets remained in the banks. The money that ended up in Swiss banks came mostly from bank accounts of political prisoners and Jewish families, but was also collected off the persons of individuals detained or executed in concentration camps.Since this has come to light, many have questioned whether these banks owe reparations beyond the $225 million they paid at the end of World War II.

The banks were initially slow to react to the situation, but have since worked to make reparations to Holocaust survivors and their families. A group of Swiss banks have made direct reparations to many Jewish families whose assets had been deposited in Swiss banks. The Swiss government also acted, creating a foundation to help those persecuted with the cooperation of the Swiss government and the financial industry and their descendants.

Investigations continue to this day trying to uncover the extent of Swiss complicity with the Third Reich and the total value of all deposited assets stolen from Nazi victims. We may never know the extent of the plundered wealth tucked away in the vaults of the Swiss banks.