BNP Paribas Belgium: Bank Account Review
Best Traditional Brick & Mortar Bank
✔️ Massive ATM and physical branch network
✔️ Great Customer Service
✔️ Free accounts for those aged 18 to 28
✔️ “Premium Bonus” scheme allows you to keep the premium account free even after the first year.
✔️ Very attractive offers for expats
BNP Paribas Fortis Bank Review
If you’re not totally comfortable with handling all your banking online and would prefer to have access to a physical branch for face-to-face contact, then BNP Paribas Fortis is the best choice.
With a massive network of over 700 branches and 3,700 ATMs in Belgium, finding this bank will be pretty easy for you.
What makes BNP Paribas Fortis interesting are the various different accounts and offers they have. One example is that their premium account is free for the first year. The premium account includes having up to 3 accounts that you can have your spouse and child use alongside other benefits.
You can even hold up to 3 different currencies in the current account. This is very useful for those who like to travel a lot or receive and send payments in different currencies. Their Mastercard debit
They even have a “Premium Bonus” scheme where even after the first year, you can keep your account free from monthly maintenance fees if you meet certain loyalty requirements.
If you’re between the ages of 18 and 28, then BNP Paribas Fortis has an amazing “Hello4You” package which gives you both a completely free current account and savings account.
Overall, they offer great introductory packages and services for new customers, especially if you’re an expat. Their customer support and banking advisors offer their services in many languages. Which is great if you’re not too comfortable with the local languages.
Their mobile app is also pretty simple to use and allows you to manage all your finances from your phone. So you’re not forced to have to go to a physical branch every time you want to manage your transactions.
Also, since it is a traditional bank, you’ll have access to all the more complex financial services that the mobile banks can’t offer such as savings accounts, loans, mortgages, etc. So if you’re looking for an all-in-one bank for all your financial needs, then BNP Paribas Fortis is a great candidate.
BNP Paribas Fortis Bottom Line:
BNP Paribas Fortis is a fantastic option for a traditional bank in Belgium and it is especially friendly to foreigners and non-residents.
It provides a great combination of rates and services that can even come completely free if you meet certain requirements. And even if you don’t fit the criteria, the fees are extremely low given the services and benefits offered.
Since it is a traditional bank, you also have the option of handling all your financial needs in one bank. Which saves you the headache of dealing with multiple banks.
The only downside could be that if you’re above the age of 28, then the current accounts usually aren’t free unless you meet the “Premium Bonus” requirements. Which, its best to read on the website exactly what it entails but the requirements are quite extensive.
But if you’re above the age of 28 and can easily fit the requirements, then there is no real downside at all.