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Please note: All information about N26 has been collected independently by Finder and this product is not available through this site.
Like many other parts of our lives, banking is becoming increasingly digital. The world is seeing a number of new digital banking providers promising to revolutionize the financial industry through the use of world-class technology and digital services. But are they worth the hype?
Learn about N26, a digital banking provider from Europe, and see what makes it different.
What is N26?
N26 is a digital challenger bank headquartered in Germany. It offers fully digital chequing accounts that are controlled from within an app — and without any branches.N26 is already operating in Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium and a wide range of other European countries, and it launched in the US in July 2019.
N26 is currently not available in Canada
N26 hasn’t launched in Canada yet, but plans to do so in the near future. If you want to sign up for an account you can visit N26 its website.
Video: Alex Weber, head of international markets, on why N26 is different
How does N26 work?
N26 accounts are opened and operated online. It works like a chequing account, and customers can access their money with a contactless debit card.
Is N26 safe?
The app itself has a 3-tier security procedure protecting your account and transactions. Your account can only be paired to one smartphone at a time, you must log in to your account using your password or fingerprint, and you must verify all online and offline transactions with your PIN.
N26 also offers a Bug Bounty program that offers cash rewards to encourage security researchers to track down bugs or vulnerabilities.
Pros and cons of N26
Pros
N26 is app-based, so you control your accounts from your smartphone. Unique features include:
Large ATM network. Use your N26 debit card for free at over 55,000 AllPoint ATMs worldwide.
In-app security. Set and change daily spend/withdrawal limits, reset your PIN, lock or unlock your card and enable or disable online or foreign payments.
Spending statistics. Get automatic breakdowns of your purchases by category. You can also create your own personal tags to organize your transactions.
Spaces. Saving up for a particular goal? Put your money into sub-accounts so you don’t accidentally spend it.
Early direct deposits. Receive direct deposits up to 2 days in advance with N26.
Perks. Earn cashback when you use your N26 debit card for subscription services like Booking.com, Lime, Headspace, Babbel, Curology, Headout and more.
Cons
Although N26 has some unique perks, there are a few drawbacks to watch out for:
No interest. This account offers 0% interest, so it’s not ideal for those who need a savings account.
Limited product selection. Currently N26 only offers a chequing account for US customers, and the Canadian product offering isn’t avaiable yet. It’s likely you won’t find any savings accounts here.
Limited ATM reimbursements. N26 reimburses a limited number of non-network ATM fees per month. But several banks offer unlimited reimbursements.
Miscellaneous fees. Expect to pay around $2 USD for non-network ATM withdrawals over the monthly limit and $5 USD for a replacement debit card.
Surcharge for foreign currency withdrawals. Expect to pay a 2% fee when you withdraw money at a foreign ATM.
No bank branches. N26 is a digital banking provider, so you can’t visit a branch for in-person support.
If you prefer a traditional chequing account, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when looking for a chequing account.
Compare other digital banking products in Canada
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Frequently asked questions
You can open an N26 account if you are at least 18 years of age, own a smartphone and are a resident of the US, Austria, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia or Spain.
N26 transfer transactions are generally completed within 1 banking day. However, due to the opening times of the participating banks, one banking day may stretch to 2 working days.
No. N26 currently doesn’t charge any fees to receive transfers or direct deposit paycheques.
You can deposit money into your N26 account using direct deposit.
Charlie Barton was a publisher at Finder. He specialised in banking and investments products, including banking apps, current accounts, share-dealing platforms and stocks and shares ISAs. Charlie has a first-class degree from the London School of Economics, and in his spare time enjoys long walks on the beach.
Whether you’re looking for a digital-only bank, a virtual bank account or a bank account you can access online, we help you find and compare the best online banks in Canada.
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