Nickel Review
Comprehensive review and analysis of Nickel's digital banking services
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2014
- Head Office
- France
- Active Customers
- 2.5+ million
- Total Funding
- BNP Paribas subsidiary
- Employees
- 500+
- App Store Rating
- 4.5/5
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No income requirements
- Easy account opening
- Wide retail network
- No overdraft fees
- Transparent pricing
- IBAN account included
Cons
- Limited savings features
- Basic banking only
- Limited international features
- No credit products
Supported Countries
- France
- Spain
- Belgium
- Portugal
Fees
- Account Opening €20/year
- Card Replacement €10
- ATM Withdrawals Free in France
- Foreign Transactions 2% fee
- Account Maintenance €20/year
Overview
Nickel has revolutionized banking accessibility in France since 2014 by offering basic banking services through a network of tobacco shops. Now part of BNP Paribas, it maintains its mission of providing banking services to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Key Features
Banking Services
- Current account
- Mastercard debit card
- Mobile banking
- IBAN account
- Direct debits
- Bank transfers
Accessibility Features
- No income requirements
- No credit check
- Easy account opening
- Retail network
- Instant account access
- Simple documentation
Payment Features
- Contactless payments
- Mobile payments
- Online purchases
- Bill payments
- Transfer limits
- Payment notifications
International Services
- European coverage
- Multi-country presence
- Cross-border payments
- ATM access
- Foreign transactions
- Travel features
Security Features
- Biometric authentication
- Transaction monitoring
- Card blocking
- Fraud detection
- PIN management
- 24/7 security
Customer Support
- Phone support
- Email assistance
- Retail network help
- Online FAQ
- Mobile support
- Social media support
Verdict
Nickel excels in providing accessible banking services to everyone in France and expanding European markets. Its unique distribution model through tobacco shops and simple account opening process makes it particularly attractive for those seeking basic banking services without complications.
While the platform offers limited features compared to full-service banks, it provides essential banking services reliably and transparently. The backing of BNP Paribas adds stability while maintaining its mission of financial inclusion.
The main limitations are the basic nature of services and limited international features. However, for users seeking simple, accessible banking with transparent fees, Nickel offers an excellent solution that fulfills essential banking needs.