Europe's second-largest neobank marks a historic milestone with a complete app redesign that puts users in total control
Amsterdam, September 9, 2025 – In a celebration that perfectly encapsulates a decade of digital banking innovation, bunq has announced it has reached 20 million users across Europe while simultaneously launching bunq V5, the most comprehensive update in the company's history. The milestone was revealed at bunq Update 29, held in Amsterdam, marking exactly ten years since the revolutionary neobank first launched its app.
A Decade of Disruption
When Ali Niknam founded bunq in 2015, his vision was simple yet ambitious: create "the first bank people love to use." Ten years later, that vision has materialized into Europe's second-largest neobank, serving 20 million customers who have embraced a new way of banking that prioritizes user experience above all else.
"bunq was built to be the first bank people love to use," says Niknam, founder and CEO of bunq. "Ten years on, it's truly amazing to see so many already saving, spending, and investing with us. Now, we're taking this laser focus on our users globally, to make life easy for many more."
bunq V5: Banking Reimagined
The star of Update 29 was undoubtedly bunq V5, a complete app redesign shaped by extensive user feedback. The new interface delivers what bunq promises is "the easiest way to bank ever," with streamlined navigation and instant access to the platform's most popular features.
Key Features That Set V5 Apart
Lightning-Fast Onboarding for Everyone Perhaps the most significant improvement is bunq's new onboarding process for expats and international users. You can now open a bank account in as little as 5 minutes without needing a local tax ID initially – a game-changer for the millions of Europeans who live and work across borders.
True Global Banking With support for 38 languages, bunq V5 removes language barriers that have traditionally made international banking cumbersome. This multilingual approach reflects bunq's commitment to serving Europe's increasingly mobile population.
Smart Account Management V5 introduces sophisticated account organization features. Users can open multiple bank accounts with unique IBANs, organize them into folders, and even set up automatic salary splitting – perfect for budgeting, saving, or managing different financial goals simultaneously.
Instant Everything The new app delivers on the promise of instant banking. Get virtual cards immediately, personalize physical cards, and add them to Apple Pay the moment they're created. No waiting, no delays.
Rewards That Actually Reward
bunq V5 introduces an enhanced rewards ecosystem that turns everyday banking into opportunities for savings:
- bunq Points: Earn points on every transaction, redeemable for real rewards
- Zero FX: Get the best exchange rates with no foreign transaction fees – essential for Europe's borderless lifestyle
- Win Your Groceries Back: A new gamified feature that gives users chances to win back their grocery costs
Business Banking Reimagined
Recognizing that personal and business banking shouldn't be separate headaches, bunq V5 introduces streamlined business accounts that can be opened in just 5 minutes. The platform keeps personal and business finances completely separated while allowing easy collaboration – co-founders can be invited with full access through the app.
Investment Integration
bunq V5 doesn't just handle traditional banking – it's a complete financial platform. Users can invest in stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies directly through the app, protected by bunq's "Safety Shield" security features. Joint accounts and savings options make it easy for couples and families to manage shared financial goals.
Recognition and Growth
The timing of these announcements couldn't be better. CNBC named bunq one of the world's best fintech companies for the second consecutive year, validating the company's user-first approach to digital banking.
The milestone comes as bunq prepares for its most ambitious expansion yet – entry into the US market. The company recently announced its application for a broker dealer license, fast-tracking its plans to bring its user-loved banking experience to American consumers.
Early Access Extended
Due to overwhelming demand for the new features, bunq has extended early access to bunq V5 to 5,000 users. Those interested in experiencing what the company calls "the easiest way to bank ever" can join the early access program at bunq.com/v5.
The Future of Banking
As bunq celebrates its 10th anniversary and 20 million user milestone, the company isn't just looking back at its achievements – it's defining what the next decade of banking will look like. With bunq V5, the focus remains squarely on user experience, international accessibility, and the kind of innovative features that make people genuinely excited about their bank.
In an industry often criticized for being slow to innovate, bunq continues to prove that when you put users first and technology second, you can create banking experiences that people don't just tolerate – they actually love.
bunq V5 represents more than just an app update; it's a statement about the future of banking in an increasingly connected world. As the company looks toward global expansion, its 20 million users serve as proof that there's a massive appetite for banking that's built around the user, not the institution.
