Updated September 29, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
bunq vs ZA Bank
bunq
Higher score in this comparison
ZA Bank
What sets them apart
| Compare | bunqReviewVisitVisit | ZA BankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.01%Higher | 0.01% |
| Access terms | Withdraw any amount free up to 2 times a month, rising to 3 free monthly withdrawals after 12 months; interest paid weekly | Deposit and withdraw money as you wish, 24 x 7 in the ZA Bank app |
| Monthly fee | €0 | HK$0 |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | HK$0 |
| Deposit protection | EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Rate type (Variable), Account kind (Easy access).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- bunq scores higher overall: 8.9 vs 8.7.
- Founded is lower at bunq: 2012 vs 2020.
- bunq is available in 6 more countries.
- Headline rate is higher at bunq: 3.01% vs 0.01%.
- Support channels: only ZA Bank offers Phone.
Our verdict on each
bunq
bunq suits savers who want an easy-access euro account that costs nothing to keep and pays a variable rate with weekly interest, protected by an EU guarantee. The rate of 3.01% is solid rather than remarkable, and support runs on email, chat and help centre only.
ZA Bank
ZA Bank is an app-only easy-access account for travelers and businesses that need to hold and move money in several currencies. It suits users who put access first and interest second, since a headline rate of 0.01% sits well below the savings account median of 3%.
Score breakdown
| Area | bunq | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Monthly fee of €0 on a no monthly fee account, with a currency conversion fee of 3% on the free plan. | 9.3HigherMonthly fee of HKD 0 against a site median of €0, with a minimum deposit of HKD 0. |
| Offer | 9.1HigherRate of 3.01% that is variable, close to the savings median of 3%. | 8.9An easy access account on a variable rate, holding 11 currencies with no term attached. |
| Trust | 8.7Higher | 8.1 |
How they place
| Ranking | bunq | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 6 of 1420 | 542 of 1420 |
| Business bank accounts | 3 of 563 | 238 of 563 |
| Online banks | 3 of 402 | 181 of 402 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | bunq | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Legal entity | bunq B.V. | ZA Bank Limited |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | Hong Kong |
| Founded | 2012Lower | 2020 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Help centre | Email, Phone, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Everyday accounts
| Fact | bunq | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 3% | Not confirmed |
| Currencies | Not confirmed | 11 |
| Audience | Expats, Travelers, Business, StudentCovers more | Travelers, Business |
| Features | Joint account, Digital only | Free ATM, Digital only |
| Local account details | IBAN | Not confirmed |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | HK$0 |
| Transfer fee | Not confirmed | FPS instant transfers free; SWIFT to 140+ countries and regions with zero ZA Bank fee |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | bunq | ZA Bank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 3.01%below the median | 0.01%lowest quarter | 3.25% |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | HK$0at the median | HK$0 |
Median across 658 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
bunq
Pros
- The monthly fee is €0 and the pricing model is no monthly fee, so keeping the account open costs nothing each month.
- Interest is paid weekly and the rate type is variable, so money keeps earning between withdrawals without a term to serve out.
- Balances are covered by EU DGS up to EUR 100,000, so there is a payout route if the provider fails.
Cons
- The rate type is variable, so the return follows the base rate and the account ranks 240 of 473 brands on the headline rate.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre only, which leaves phone callers with a narrower route in.
- Features list joint account and digital only, so the service is digital only and there is no branch counter.
ZA Bank
Pros
- Instant FPS transfers cost nothing, and SWIFT transfers carry no ZA Bank fee.
- A minimum deposit of HKD 0, so a balance can start small and grow.
- Support runs on email, phone and chat, so help is not limited to the app.
Cons
- The headline rate of 0.01% ranks 447 of 473, so this is a place to keep money rather than grow it.
- A variable rate on an easy access account gives no term in which to lock a better rate for longer.
- Digital-only handling under free atm and digital only means no branch or counter service, so cash and paperwork happen in the app.
Who each suits
bunq
Who it suits
- People who want an easy-access euro account that pays interest weekly and costs nothing to hold.
- Travellers and expats, part of the expats, travelers and business bunq targets, who convert currency and want a local IBAN.
- Students and savers who value EU DGS up to EUR 100,000 over a higher rate.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone chasing a top fixed rate, since 24.19% at plazo pays far more.
- Customers who need a phone helpline, as support runs on email, chat and help centre only.
- Anyone wanting a branch counter, because features list joint account and digital only and the service is digital only.
ZA Bank
Who it suits
- Travelers and businesses, the audiences ZA Bank lists, who need easy-access money in 11 currencies.
- Holders who want a minimum deposit of HKD 0 rather than a barrier to opening.
- Users who need help beyond the app, since support runs on email, phone and chat.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers shopping on listed rates, where Plazo ES shows 24.19% and AXI Card Tarjeta y Credito shows 21.59%.
- Wallet-first readers, since PayPal Colombia at 3.3% fits balances held in a wallet rather than an easy-access bank balance.
Current offers
ZA Bank
Current offer
Bonus
High-Rate Pot savings rate: Up to 5% p.a. total savings rate (up to 4.99% reward rate plus 0.01% HKD basic interest rate)
Campaign period; reward rate valid from the day the challenge is completed to the last day of that month; eligible deposit limit varies by user tier and is shown on the High-Rate Pot page; T&C apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Chill Pot promotional rate: 0.5% p.a.
Applies to HKD 1,000,000 or below balance in Chill Pot under ZA Perks Lv1 User Level; balance above that at the basic interest rate; T&C apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Rate-up Tuesday coupons: Rate-up Coupons up to 9% p.a.; unlock bonus rate up to 18% p.a.
Claim in ZA Bank App homepage > Deposit > Rate-up Tuesday on or before 31 October 2026; terms and conditions apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Foreign Exchange Time Deposit promotional rates: 20% p.a. 7-day CNY time deposit rate; 17% p.a. 7-day USD time deposit rate
Placed via ZA Bank App homepage > Deposit > FX Time Deposit; applicable rate, currency and period as displayed in the app; FX involves risks; T&C apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | bunq | ZA Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| France | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
| Hong Kong | No | Yes |
| Ireland | Yes | No |
| Italy | Yes | No |
| Netherlands | Yes | No |
| Spain | Yes | No |
Questions about each
bunq
What does bunq charge to keep a savings account?+
The monthly fee is €0 and the account is priced on a no monthly fee basis, so there is no recurring charge to keep it open. The one cost to watch when you spend abroad is currency conversion at 3% on the free plan. Interest is still paid weekly with no fee deducted.
How much interest does the account pay?+
The rate is 3.01% and the rate type is variable, so the figure follows the base rate instead of being fixed to a term. Across the savings accounts on the site, the median headline rate is 3%, which puts bunq near the middle. Interest is credited weekly rather than monthly.
ZA Bank
How much does a ZA Bank account cost to run?+
ZA Bank charges a monthly fee of HKD 0 and a minimum deposit of HKD 0 to open, so holding a balance costs nothing. Its pricing sits at the site median monthly fee of €0, and the account is listed under no monthly fee.
What rate do I get on a ZA Bank deposit?+
The deposit pays a headline rate of 0.01% and the rate type is variable, so the return moves rather than being locked in. The account kind is easy access, which suits people who need to take money out whenever they like more than people shopping for a term deal.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
- bunq vs Airwallex
- bunq vs Kroo
- bunq vs Mercury
- bunq vs XTB
- bunq vs PayPal Colombia
- bunq vs Step
- bunq vs Chase UK
- bunq vs Danske Bank DK
- ZA Bank vs MoMo
- ZA Bank vs Daviplata
- ZA Bank vs Fortuneo
- ZA Bank vs Imagin
- ZA Bank vs M-Pesa
- bunq vs Finom
- bunq vs Qonto
- bunq vs iuvoSAVE
- bunq vs Novo
- ZA Bank vs N26
- bunq vs Monzo
- bunq vs Current
- bunq vs Revolut AU
- bunq vs Revolut UK
Related by the facts
bunq
ZA Bank