No account maintenance fees, incredibly simple transfers… Online banks appear to be THE miracle solution for reducing – or even eliminating – bank fees.
“Yes, this is the most radical way to lower the bill,” confirms Laure Prenat, general manager of the online comparator Panorabanques. Today, online banking has democratized and become easy to access. Unless you don’t have a computer or aren’t comfortable with the Internet, it’s very accessible. ”
But beware of the hidden costs. The free bank card – with the exception of Monabanq – is subject to conditions of use. Fortuneo charges 3 euros if it is not used at least once a month and Boursorama Banque 5 euros or even 15 euros in its “Ultim” offer.
Likewise, if Panorabanques notes in its annual study that none of them inflicts an intervention commission – capped at 8 euros per month – in the event of an unauthorized overdraft, some do not grant authorization in their offer. This is the case with HelloBank and ING. Others, like Boursorama (100 euros) or Fortuneo (200 euros) reduce them as much as possible.
Better to keep a traditional account at the beginning
“Before getting started, you obviously have to go through the services offered in detail,” insists Laure Prenat. Online banks do not have the same quality of service as traditional establishments. Instead, they staked everything on the customer experience and customer satisfaction. »Taking the plunge is the promise of rapid, efficient, and simplified use. Everything can be done in one click, on your smartphone.
You still have to be initiated, and uninhibited with the total absence of human contact. Goodbye agency appointments. “Some consumers want to keep a physical link with their banker, this can have a reassuring side, argues Laure Prenat. The best is, without a doubt, to keep your account in the traditional bank at first and to open the second one in an online bank, to try. ”
And if the idea still turns you off, then analyze all your bank charges before knocking on your advisor’s door to negotiate. “At the start of the year, look at all the products subscribed, delete those you do not need, argues Laure Prenat. Also, if you are having trouble staying above zero, negotiate an overdraft authorization to avoid overcharges, or take a deferred debit card so that the expenses come in after you collect your income. “
