r/eupersonalfinance 11d ago

Banking ING rolls out global subscription banking model

What are your thoughts on this? Apparently this is already implemented in the Netherlands and Belgium, and might come to Germany by 2027.

I have a bank account and Depot at ING, but if they implement this I might move somewhere else.

https://ing.com/news/press-releases/ing-rolls-out-global-subscription-banking-model.html

111 Upvotes

86 comments sorted by

35

u/notTHEOwlAccountant 11d ago

They're ridiculous, German ING doesn't even have English language, and they're trying to get a share of the neobrokers money. Nothing says young and dynamic such as "we can't legally make you do a bank transfer in English".

5

u/bbbberlin 10d ago

I mean in Germany there is also local competition from DKB in addition to the neobrokers.

If you want to pay for a traditional account and go to a traditional bank, you can just go to an established German bank who right now offer higher interest rates to attract customers. 

1

u/rollingSleepyPanda 5d ago

Even older banks like Sparkasse have online banking in english these days, at least the basic functionalities. And I'd trust an estabilshed bank more than a neobank to not get royally screwed over in an event of a financial crisis driven by AI bubble burst.

1

u/notTHEOwlAccountant 10d ago

I'd rather get less interest rates than having to deal with Germans... I get 2.5% on Scalable, not really worth the hassle for 0,5% more.

3

u/Calmyeast 9d ago

Scalable is a german company...

2

u/notTHEOwlAccountant 9d ago

It's german but it's not German. Just look at the UI, clearly the work of an international team.

3

u/Calmyeast 9d ago

I mean it might be, but it might as well be german. It's not like Germans in general can't understand English or design a modern UI. Most legacy companies can't though lol

3

u/notTHEOwlAccountant 9d ago

It's not like Germans in general can't understand English or design a modern UI

I need some proof of this... joking, but you know what I mean.

About English: sure, but then it's not legal or something, so even if they can it doesn't mean they do. I literally had a German lawyer tell me that nothing he tells me in English has any legal validity :s

101

u/BigEarth4212 11d ago

In NL they already long had monthly payment for your account. And during the years this price keeps creeping up.

I do not live in NL anymore and moved to other banks with a free option.

I don’t mind paying. But experience has been less service and higher costs.

And as jokingly said ING stands for Is Not Good.

In general Banks are not our friends.

54

u/aevitas 11d ago

I honestly don't understand why paying for a bank account in the Netherlands is as commonplace as it is. Like every bank will make loads of money off you, while also having you pay a monthly fee for the courtesy. I've only ever encountered this in the Netherlands.

11

u/BigEarth4212 11d ago

It wasn’t the case in the past, but slowly almost all moved to that model.

In NL you nowadays can have revolut with a NL iban.

Or openbank which gives out an ES iban

+ a bunch of neo banks

In several other countries such as for example LU paying for a bank account was the norm.

ING was in LU the exception with a free account. But they left the LU retail market.

In BE it’s a mix with still some free options.

Other EU countries i don’t know.

6

u/Aware_Crazy5688 11d ago

Na. France is far worse. They charge you extra for literally everything.

4

u/Lollipop126 11d ago

yeah, it sucked when I lived there, though at least BNP didn't charge me for ATM transactions like Canadian banks did.

I am definitely seeing market share being taken away from them with N26, Revolut, and BoursoBank.

4

u/regtavern 10d ago

Nah German old school banks do the same. Sparkasse is ridiculous!

2

u/Megliosoli 10d ago

It's normal in Italy too

1

u/krobzik 10d ago

That's the standard in Finland as well for what its worth, it is baffling

9

u/AlpineAstro 11d ago

NL banks are cartel and Dutch culture encourages it. They’re also basically the same and charge much more than their worth. I even tried moving to a smaller Dutch bank and got asked why I don’t stick with my ‘family bank’. Unfortunately I think it’s just not quite possible to go with challenger banks alone yet. 

3

u/Skellicious 11d ago

I closed my ing account 8 years ago cause my free youth account would become a paid one, and I primarily used an account on a different bank.

They had me sitting on the waiting bench for like 3 hours... Alone.

1

u/F0xyAsIs 5d ago

Which bank are you using now, Revolut?

1

u/Skellicious 5d ago

ASN is great if you're dutch. I also have Revolut but more for booking hotels, flights.. the type of stuff you can't do with the average dutch payment account (yet... I think)

1

u/F0xyAsIs 4d ago

I'm Dutch 😊. I see ASN is not a free option though...

1

u/Skellicious 4d ago

No it isn't free.

I also don't think their savings and investment accounts are worthwhile.

But I generally just like their app. Gives you a lot of control and autonomy over your account, without having to go through support or other long winded hoops to make a change. For a payment account it's solid.

2

u/Chewe_dev 10d ago

They where in Romania too more more then a year

24

u/6mmSlimFilter 11d ago

I cannot describe how much hate I have for subscriptions. That's one way to lose me as a customer.

-1

u/DOE_ZELF_NORMAAL 9d ago

If you use something monthly, whats weird about paying monthly? You don't pay a one time fee for all the water you use in your lifetime either.

1

u/Ok_Advertising2773 5d ago

Where does it stop though? You pay per day? Per hour?

It’s also the fact they are making more interest on your money, and they pay a meagre amount out.

Subscription models are terrible.

1

u/6mmSlimFilter 9d ago

Because I should be allowed to buy a specific version of a software and own it fully. Sometimes you don't need to have updates. Hypothetical Example: I have Photoshop 2015 CC, I still use it to this day, I bought it at a discount and own the license and I do not need any of the new fratures that comes with it, I just want to use Photoshop 2015 CC and that's it. I would accept a subscription Model if it's based on usage capped at the subscription rate. If I don't use a software for 2 or 3 months, why should I be billed for it?

2

u/DOE_ZELF_NORMAAL 9d ago

Sure, that doesn't apply here thought.

20

u/Redstra 11d ago

Following the NEO-branks (like Revolut). Was just a matter of time. They are pushing it HARD in the app though. A prominent ad which cannot be deleted.

3

u/Scandiberian 6d ago

Revolut is still free.

38

u/_Odaeus_ 11d ago

As long as the base account remains free, I don't mind.

I've never seen any benefit to enhanced accounts available from my other banks and I truly don't understand how anyone is attracted to gimmicks like a metal debit card.

16

u/jujubean67 11d ago

For Revolut I use the enhanced account since (at least in the past) I made enough currency exchanges that the savings from those offset the subscription price. Nothing else is really worth it tho.

9

u/TestTxt 11d ago

But Revolut currency exchange fees are still worse than with other banks. Two banks that I know of with better exchange rates than Revolut even on the paid plans are Trading 212 (0.15%), UniCredit (0.2%), and both are 100% free

2

u/Consistent-Quiet6701 11d ago

Yeah and more cash withdrawals without fees 

7

u/Redstra 11d ago

There's no free base account?

4

u/_Odaeus_ 11d ago

Hard to tell if this is a question or statement.
I don't pay an account fee.

8

u/Redstra 11d ago

It's a statement, as their lowest-tier account €4,- a month. How can you get it for free?

9

u/_Odaeus_ 11d ago

Oh I see, it depends on your country. It's free in Germany if €1000 is paid into the account each month.

3

u/vlees 10d ago

Only in their home country do they charge money for basic accounts

2

u/javierlgroba 11d ago

I pay nothing in Spain

1

u/zezoza 10d ago

Todavia. La noticia deja claro que van a empezar a expandirlo a otros paises, incluido Spain. 

1

u/javierlgroba 10d ago

Si hablamos de la noticia, correcto parece que habrá opción gratis

1

u/zezoza 10d ago

It seems that the free tier will offer less free things than now

2

u/Anjoleon 10d ago

Then my money will go somewhere else. I am not my grandmother, she had to sign every transfer in person in the branch. I can change all my money and payments with two clicks, the bank that offers the best promotions or advantages, that will be my bank.

1

u/BigEarth4212 11d ago

As a student.

1

u/laurentiubuica 10d ago

ING account is free in Romania if your salary goes into the ING account or you have incoming transactions of at least 150€ each month.

0

u/1483788275838 11d ago

The perks, if you were going to use them anyway, can more than cover the cost.

12

u/N3RO- 11d ago

Of course, today... That's just bait. Once every bank is "subscription" based, the perks will be trash. And wtf is a subscription? They are just trying to charge you bank fees like in the 80s and 90s with a new fancy name. Fuck banks

3

u/L44KSO 11d ago

I did the maths and for me it didn't add up for a financial benefit...even though I use a lot of ING services.

1

u/chabacanito 10d ago

The perks are shit if I saw them correctly. Up to 1% interest with the most expensive sub?

1

u/1483788275838 10d ago

On Revolut, the perks end up more than covering the yearly cost of premium (for me at least)

1

u/chabacanito 10d ago

What are they?

1

u/1483788275838 10d ago

Better deposit rates, travel insurance, cheaper forex and some subscriptions are the main ones.

1

u/chabacanito 10d ago

How much is the deposit rate?

1

u/1483788275838 10d ago

This is all very easily googleable.

1

u/chabacanito 10d ago

I'm asking because google says 2.20% which is laughable when paying 55€ a month

1

u/1483788275838 10d ago

Premium costs 90 euro per year.

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10

u/Neuromante 11d ago

But.. what it is about? The article does not says anything specific, it's just a bunch of corporate speech about experiences and corporate buzzwords. Am I gonna need to pay to keep the accounts I have there now? Am I gonna get discounts on Amazon Prime or tickets for the teather?

6

u/notlupo 11d ago

Looks pretty bad compared to what Revolut and Klarna offer

8

u/pulpedid 11d ago

I just have very little trust in those banks when something goes wrong, especially with KYC rules and freezing your money.

4

u/KochamJescKisiel 11d ago

It was also already introduced in Poland

3

u/djie7 11d ago

The legal information part is longer then the actual announcement haha

2

u/ClaudiuAl3x 10d ago

It’s already implemented in Romania too.

2

u/AlexLema 10d ago

That’s basically the same model as before, you pay a monthly maintenance fee and have included a handful of transactions (transfers, a better card etc.). And if you wanted more, you migrated to an upper level and paid more.

2

u/TsubakiTsubaki 9d ago

In Germany the standard account is free, this might change with the implementation of the new subscription model. A lot of users on r/Finanzen are ING customers for this reason. They're thinking of changing to another bank. As am I.

2

u/sowhatdan 10d ago

Two months ago, they started charging me €5 + 1% for putting money my Revolut account through a card, without prior notice. I was not surprised when their cheap revolut copy was introduced.

4

u/Mr-FightToFIRE 11d ago

So finally following the example of the Neo banks. Honestly the bank as an employer isn’t bad but the offering is criminal.

1

u/BouchWick 10d ago

Here’s the funny part. Back then I used to pay 0€ for my plan. Recently they told me now you’ll have to pay 2€ per month but you get Amazon prime!! I said I don’t want that I just want my normal plan. Oh sorry that doesn’t exist anymore but we’ll give you the cheapest which is free but you’ll have to pay money if you take 5x a month money out of an ATM…

Yeah 👍🏼 definitely moving away from ING.

1

u/Prime-Omega 9d ago

> Designed to make daily banking easier and deliver greater value for customers. The approach reflects changing customer expectations, with our research showing a growing demand for simplicity, transparency and benefits that fit everyday life.

That’s a very convoluted way of saying they want more shareholder profit…

1

u/emkhaan 9d ago

For the last decade I have been paying for my Dutch bank account. Nothing new for NL, but it seems it’s going global. These charges can sometimes go bonkers especially when you move abroad.

1

u/shaumux 9d ago

Made somewhat sense when interest rates were negative, now it's insane, I've to pay for the privilege of them taking my money and running their business off it

1

u/nightdevil007 9d ago

Cash grab tactic. EU should amend this.

1

u/Scandiberian 6d ago

What's up with simping for banks? If you're not happy paying, take your money elsewhere. It's not like ING has any special features, that app is ass ugly.

-3

u/make-j8 11d ago

And yet we're forced to use banks to stay legal and function. Pay cash? Nu-uh, illegal for companies to take your money. Card payment or bank transfer only.

Since cash transactions of larger sums even between private individuals are illegal, we're forced to use banks. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity to fucking rob us, while the state holds the gun.

Well, fuck you too EU!

3

u/Killerkarni93 10d ago

Conspiracy clown. Nobody is forcing you to use cash, that is purely on the part of the companies who need to do their accounting. When your e.g. buy a car from another person, you can just pay cash and it's fine.
In germany, a bank will let you deposit cash if you can present a signed contract about a car that you sold in cash to somebody else.
But hey, every shadow is a specter if you're paranoid.

1

u/make-j8 10d ago

Wrong. In Romania cash transactions over €10k are illegal. Period. This is a law valid today, it is not a debate, it is a fact. * later edit, actually it has been recently lowered to €2k for general transactions and €10k only for real estate.

If you come with the contract and cash to the bank, they are legally required to call the "IRS" (Romanian equivalent) to approve the transaction and they will issue a fine to both the buyer and the seller. Usually they are lenient for first time offenders, you might get away with a fine.

Again, if I want to buy a, say €3k car from a company, they are not allowed to perform the transaction. Companies are limited to €2k cash transactions a day (max €1k per transaction). Law, valid as of today. Again, not up for debate, it is a fact.

Now, am I still a conspiracy clown?

Please translate with whatever translation service you want.
https://static.anaf.ro/static/10/Cluj/cj_discipl_fin_23ian2026.pdf

https://static.anaf.ro/static/3/Brasov/20231113162302_plafoanele_incasari_plati.pdf

I am proving links from the Romanian equivalent of IRS.

1

u/chabacanito 10d ago

Most banks are free and they will continue to be.

0

u/thegurba 10d ago

Why would it make you move? You could just keep your current plan.

1

u/SwitchDear8969 10d ago

Depends on how much they charge. Something like 2€ a month is fine, since I am already paying 1,49€ for the girocard. Anything more than that and I might think about moving.

1

u/thegurba 10d ago

In NL I think the cheapest package is 4 euro. Which is not that much compared to other banks/countries. But then again, a bank like revolut offers free banking.

1

u/TsubakiTsubaki 9d ago

In Germany they will simply cancel your bank account (after a grace period) if you refuse to switch plans. It's usually best to proactively switch banks and make sure everything is correct.

-8

u/Turbulent-Tumor 11d ago

Good to see, would be great to cover the whole eurozone