# Bunq

> Bunq is a Dutch licensed neobank known for multi-currency accounts and green banking positioning.

Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/bunq
Last updated: 2026-08-11
Categories: Financial technology, Netherlands neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2012

**Bunq** is a Dutch [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2012 and headquartered in Amsterdam. It holds a full Dutch banking licence and markets mobile accounts with multi-currency IBAN support and a sustainability-oriented brand.[^bunq1]

## History

Founded by Ali Niknam, bunq obtained a banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank and expanded across the European Economic Area. It has positioned itself as a mobile-first alternative to traditional Dutch banks.

## Founders

**Ali Niknam** is the founder and chief executive officer of [Bunq](/wiki/bunq), the Amsterdam-based licensed Dutch [neobank](/wiki/neobank). Born in 1981 in Windsor, Ontario, and raised in the Netherlands, Niknam founded web-hosting company TransIP during university (later part of team.blue) and co-founded data-centre business The Datacenter Group before launching bunq in 2012. He invested tens of millions of euros of personal capital to obtain a banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank and build a mobile-first European bank.

Under Niknam, bunq expanded across the EEA with multi-currency accounts, local IBANs, personal and business plans, and a sustainability-oriented brand. The company later acquired Belgian fintech Tricount and pursued high-profile regulatory debates on AI for anti-money-laundering compliance.

## Dutch banking licence

Bunq B.V. is a licensed Dutch bank supervised in the Netherlands, passporting services across the EEA. Products emphasise local IBANs in multiple countries, multi-currency accounts and API access—appealing to expats and digitally native customers.

## Reception

Bunq markets itself as a values-driven mobile bank and has taken public positions on sustainability and AI in compliance. It reached unicorn status with a large Series A and acquired Tricount; regulatory disputes with De Nederlandsche Bank over AI-based AML screening drew industry attention.

## Products

Bunq offers personal and joint accounts, local IBANs in multiple euro-area countries, budgeting "bank accounts" within the app, and business plans. Premium tiers unlock additional features and travel-oriented benefits.

## Infobox

- **Type**: Private
- **Founded**: 2012
- **Founder**: Ali Niknam
- **Headquarters**: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- **Licence**: Dutch banking licence

## Frequently asked questions

### What is Bunq?

Bunq is a Dutch licensed neobank known for multi-currency accounts and green banking positioning.

### When was Bunq founded?

Bunq was founded in 2012.

### Where is Bunq headquartered?

Bunq is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

### Who founded Bunq?

Bunq was founded by Ali Niknam.

### What type of company is Bunq?

Bunq is described as Dutch banking licence in its neobank.wiki profile.


## References

[^bunq1]: Bunq B.V. is supervised as a licensed bank in the Netherlands. — https://www.bunq.com/en-nl/about