A neobank is a digital bank that only operates online, which you manage entirely via an app. These apps make it really easy (and fun!) to do your day-to-day banking.
Consider neobanks to be the future of banking. They only operate online and use new technology to help make saving and spending easy. Most neobanks have some pretty good perks attached, like the ability to set up multiple savers tailored to your savings goals, be reminded about upcoming bills, integration of cloud technology to see your whole financial picture and much more. But the main distinction is a modern, easy-to-use app packed with lots of tools and features to make banking easier.
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What is a neobank?
A neobank (or digital bank) operates digitally, usually from an app, rather than from a physical branch or office. A digital bank is a fairly loose term; the correct industry name for these banks is a neobank.
A neobank is a completely digital bank that doesn't use any existing legacy systems to operate. This means the bank doesn't use any physical infrastructure or digital operating systems that are already being used by existing financial institutions in Australia. The technology used by these neobanks is developed from scratch. It's a bank that operates via an app on your phone.
What's the difference between a digital bank and a traditional bank that's available online?
Many banks in Australia appear to be digital banks since they don’t have branches and are focussed on developing top-quality mobile banking apps for their customers. However, just because a bank doesn’t have branches and offers a range of digital products and platforms doesn’t mean it’s a digital bank or a neobank.
A bank offering Apple Pay isn't necessarily a digital bank
Many banks offer contactless payments via digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. Westpac is the oldest bank in Australia and it offers Google Pay to its customers, yet Westpac isn’t considered to be a completely digital bank.
Similarly, if a bank offers a top-notch mobile banking app, Internet banking services, cardless cash facilities and digital savings tools, this doesn’t automatically mean it’s a digital bank either. Remember, a 100% digital neobank is one that doesn’t use any existing banking systems or infrastructure.
ING, ME and Ubank aren’t 100% digital banks
Many people refer to ING and ME as digital banks because they don’t have any physical branches. However, these banks aren’t neobanks because they rely on existing banking infrastructure.
For example, ING is owned by multinational Dutch bank ING Group and relies on its infrastructure and legacy systems to operate. ME is owned by more than 20 industry superannuation funds, including AustralianSuper and Hostplus. Similarly, ubank is actually owned by NAB, one of the Big Four banks in Australia, and relies on a lot of NAB’s existing operating systems to function.
That's not to say that these banks don't offer great digital services, because they do. ING has one of the most popular banking apps and ubank is known for its easy-to-use app with spending insights too. It just means these banks aren't considered neobanks in the traditional sense.
Our expert says
"Digital banks are really not that different to other banks, except they naturally make things easier to resolve online, their apps are more user-friendly, and they even have more flexibility to add fun little perks! I started using the Up app after a colleague told me about its Friday happy hour feature! It was super easy to sign up. I didn't need any complicated ways to prove my ID and it was done in seconds, all over a pint. We both got a $10 referral bonus, but the perks didn't end there. Using Up's happy hour feature got me a $3 cashback on a $10 drink. If you're more of a morning coffee drinker, you might also appreciate the Perk-Up offer where Up randomly chooses to reimburse customers up to $6.50 when you've spent at a cafe between 7am and 11am. "
Digital banks need to have the same banking licences and approvals as existing Australian banks before they’re able to offer products and services to consumers. These new banks are regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) in a similar way to how existing banks are regulated.
Your deposit of up to $250,000 with an Australian authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI) is protected by the Australian government, under the financial claims scheme. This means if something were to happen to the bank, your money (up to this amount) would be safe.
Do digital banks have banking licences?
When a digital bank receives its full ADI licence from APRA, it's included in the government guarantee scheme and your deposit is protected. Some of the digital banks in the market do have a full banking licence, but others don't yet.
Volt was issued their full banking licence (before it closed in June 2022), and 86 400 was issued the same, before it was bought by NAB in 2021. Revolut has submitted an application for an ADI, and Xinja was granted its banking licence from APRA, however Xinja bank closed down in 2020 and returned all money to account holders. Both Volt and Xinja handed back their banking licences when they closed down, and are no longer operating as banks in Australia.
Up Bank uses the ADI licence of an existing bank (Bendigo and Adelaide Bank) so your deposit with Up is also guaranteed.
Mobile-only banks vs online banks
Mobile-only banks are designed to be accessed from an app on your smartphone. Unlike traditional banks, there are no bank branches and unlike online bank there's no option of Internet banking via a desktop. While mobile-only banks and online banks seem similar, there are a few key differences that set them apart.
Access. Mobile-only banks are called as such because you can only access them through your smartphone or, sometimes, your tablet device. Other online banks such as ING and ME still offer Internet banking portals that you can access on your computer. They are "online banks" because they simply have no bank branches and you can access them online.
Technology. Some online banks are part of larger international finance groups (ING) or using the infrastructure of big banks (ubank and NAB). Mobile-only banks may still partner with larger banks, but are usually building their own bank from the ground up to be able to be nimble with their products and features.
Product offerings. Online banks such as ING, ME and ubank have been around for a lot longer than mobile-only banks and so have a more diverse product offering. For instance, ME offers bank accounts, home loans, credit cards and personal loans and ING has a similarly diverse offering. Mobile-only banks, for now, tend to only offer one or two products.
Pros and cons of a digital bank
Pros
Impressive apps packed full of features
Detailed insights into your spending and saving habits
Competitive interest rates and low or no fees
Cons
Some only offer one product, so you can't do all your banking with a digital bank just yet
No branches for people who like to visit a branch and no desktop Internet banking portal either
How to get started with a neobank
If you’re interested in joining one of these new neobanks, all you need to do is download the app to get started. These apps are free to download. Once you've got the app, just follow the prompts to create an account and verify your identity.
Then you're done! You'll receive your physical debit card in the mail, but you can also start using the account right away.
If a digital bank isn't for you, you can compare bank accounts from major Australian banks instead.
Watch our interview with 86 400 co-founder Anthony Thomson and digital banking expert Chris Skinner
Alison Banney is the money editorial manager at Finder. She covers all areas of personal finance, and her areas of expertise are superannuation, banking and saving. She has written about finance for 10 years, having previously worked at Westpac and written for several other major banks and super funds. See full bio
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Alison has written 626 Finder guides across topics including:
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Is there a Bank called : DIGITAL Bank of Australia with a Branch at Mac Arther Mall, 255 Queen Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000 Australia.
I need to contact a Mr Ottawa Douglas rather urgently. I tryed emailing and Phone calls but not able to get through.
I am calling from Papua New Guinea
and My name is David Willies Kiwa.
Any assistance is very much appreciated.
Thanks and have a happy day.
Finder
SarahApril 28, 2023Finder
Hi David,
The address you’ve supplied is the address of NAB, a big 4 Bank.
We’re not aware of a Digital Bank of Australia and couldn’t find any information on Google.
If you’re concerned you might have been scammed, you can lodge a complaint and get support here: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
Best of luck.
GladysApril 1, 2019
I would like to reach out to you to find out if there is a saturation point for digital banking. Please advice
Kind regards
Finder
MaiApril 2, 2019Finder
Hi Gladys,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
Yes, there may be a saturation point for digital banking but this is not something to be worried about in Australia. The saturation point for neobanking is currrently seen in the US where new app growth has slowed, business mobile has failed to grow as expected, person-to-person growth is low and debit card controls are gaining popularity.
Hope this helped.
Kind Regards,
Mai
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Is there a Bank called : DIGITAL Bank of Australia with a Branch at Mac Arther Mall, 255 Queen Street, Brisbane City QLD 4000 Australia.
I need to contact a Mr Ottawa Douglas rather urgently. I tryed emailing and Phone calls but not able to get through.
I am calling from Papua New Guinea
and My name is David Willies Kiwa.
Any assistance is very much appreciated.
Thanks and have a happy day.
Hi David,
The address you’ve supplied is the address of NAB, a big 4 Bank.
We’re not aware of a Digital Bank of Australia and couldn’t find any information on Google.
If you’re concerned you might have been scammed, you can lodge a complaint and get support here: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/
Best of luck.
I would like to reach out to you to find out if there is a saturation point for digital banking. Please advice
Kind regards
Hi Gladys,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
Yes, there may be a saturation point for digital banking but this is not something to be worried about in Australia. The saturation point for neobanking is currrently seen in the US where new app growth has slowed, business mobile has failed to grow as expected, person-to-person growth is low and debit card controls are gaining popularity.
Hope this helped.
Kind Regards,
Mai