N26

N26 Bank GmbH, commonly known as N26, is a German neobank that provides mobile banking services through a smartphone application. It was founded in 2013 by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Tayenthal in Berlin, with the aim of offering a fully digital alternative to traditional banks.

The company offers a mobile current account and a Mastercard debit card, accessible entirely through its app. Core features typically include real-time balance and transaction notifications, in-app money management tools, Spaces sub-accounts for budgeting, multi-currency support, and international transfers. N26 also supports digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

N26 operates a tiered product line, including a free Standard account and paid tiers such as N26 You and N26 Metal, as well as N26 Business for freelancers and self-employed customers. The business model relies on a combination of subscription revenue, card interchange fees, and other financial services delivered within the platform.

Regulation and security: N26 Bank GmbH is a licensed bank in Germany and operates under the supervision of BaFin, with operations focused on the European Union. The company emphasizes security measures, regulatory compliance, and data protection, leveraging biometric and PIN-based access, strong customer authentication, and fraud prevention tools.

Market position and history: As a major digital bank in Europe, N26 has contributed to the growth of mobile-first banking and competition with traditional banks and other neobanks. It has pursued expansion across multiple European markets and undergone regulatory scrutiny and leadership changes as part of ongoing risk and compliance efforts.