Updated September 28, 2026 · VaultCue Editorial Team
PKO Bank Polski vs Step
PKO Bank Polski
Higher score in this comparison
Step
Where PKO Bank Polski and Step differ
| Compare | PKO Bank PolskiReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | StepReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | PLN 0 | $0 |
| Local account details | IBAN | Us ACH |
| Transfer fee | 0 zł for internal, standard and SEPA Standard foreign transfers in iPKO and the IKO app; 10 zł for standard or SEPA Standard foreign transfers to another account holder in a branch or by phone line | Small fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card |
| Deposit protection | Not confirmed | FDIC up to USD 250,000 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0% | Not confirmed |
| Currencies | 10 | Not confirmed |
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
- PKO Bank Polski scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.8.
- Local account details: only PKO Bank Polski offers IBAN.
- Local account details: only Step offers Us ACH.
- Support channels: only Step offers Email.
- Audience: only PKO Bank Polski offers Expats.
- Audience: only Step offers Teen.
Our verdict on each
PKO Bank Polski
PKO Bank Polski pairs a monthly fee of PLN 0 with a currency conversion fee of 0%, so the everyday costs sit at the floor. It suits expats and Polish residents who want an easy-access account with local IBAN details, a variable savings rate and free ATM withdrawals.
Step
Step suits teens and students in the US who want a free everyday account and easy access savings, with an overall score of 6.3. Costs sit at $0 a month and savings run at 3% variable, but that rate waits on a status earned by card spending or qualifying direct deposits.
Score breakdown
| Area | PKO Bank Polski | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.4HigherMonthly fee PLN 0 and currency conversion at 0%, ranking 1 of 312 on conversion. | 9.3Monthly fee of $0 on a no monthly fee model, with free atm for ATM withdrawals. |
| Offer | 9.2Savings headline rate 4%, variable, 10 currencies and iban local details. | 9.4Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.1 |
How they place
| Ranking | PKO Bank Polski | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Savings accounts | 156 of 1420 | 490 of 1420 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Audience | Expats | Teen |
| Pricing model | No monthly fee | No monthly fee |
| Features | Free ATM | Free ATM |
| Legal entity | PKO Bank Polski Spółka Akcyjna | Step Financial LLC |
| Headquarters | Poland | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2020 |
| Support channels | Chat, Phone, Help centre | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Savings
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Headline rate | 4%Higher | 3% |
| Rate type | Variable | Variable |
| Minimum deposit | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Access terms | Interest capitalised monthly, first monthly transfer out and branch withdrawals free of charge | No savings minimums; 3.00% on savings requires Step Black status, earned by spending $500 with the Step Card or $300 in qualifying direct deposits each calendar month |
| Account kind | Easy access | Easy access |
Money transfer
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery time | Immediate between own accounts | Not confirmed |
| Payout methods | Bank | Not confirmed |
| Fee to send 1,000 | PLN 0 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | PKO Bank Polski | Step | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 0%below the median | Not confirmed | 0.5% |
| Currencies | 10above the median | Not confirmed | 5 |
Median across 536 listed accounts.
Pros and cons
PKO Bank Polski
Pros
- Monthly fee PLN 0 and a currency conversion fee of 0% on everyday and foreign transfers.
- The savings headline rate is 4% on an easy access account, with interest capitalised monthly.
- Transfers between own accounts are Immediate between own accounts, and the local account details are iban.
Cons
- Only 10 currencies, ranking 103 of 379.
- Foreign transfers to another account holder cost more in a branch or by phone line than the PLN 0 charged in the app.
- The 4% headline sits on a variable rate, so it can move.
Step
Pros
- Monthly fee of $0 on a no monthly fee account
- Savings rate of 3% variable with a minimum deposit of $0
- free atm means no ATM charge when you need cash
Cons
- The full savings rate is tied to a status earned by card spending or qualifying direct deposits, so an inactive month earns less
- Small fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card for an Instant Transfer to a linked debit card
Who each suits
PKO Bank Polski
Who it suits
- Expats and residents in Poland who want an easy access account with iban details.
- Savers happy with a variable rate and interest capitalised monthly.
- People who send money abroad but need only 10 currencies.
Who should look elsewhere
- PayPal Colombia, whose monthly fee is $0, suits a wallet rather than a Polish bank account.
- Skrill, whose monthly fee is €0, suits readers who want wallet balances.
- eToro, whose monthly fee is £0, suits balances held on an investment platform.
Step
Who it suits
- Teens in the US building their first account
- Students who keep a direct deposit in place to keep the better savings rate
Who should look elsewhere
- bunq and bunq Spain Bank Account, where a euro account serves a euro market rather than a US teen account
- Pixpay FR, which charges a monthly fee of €3.99
Current offers
PKO Bank Polski
Current offer
Bonus
Do 600 zł z PKO Kontem za Zero (Letni Bonus): up to 600 zł
Open PKO Konto za Zero online with a Visa card, enter code LATO and meet the remaining terms of the 'Letni Bonus' promotion
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Do 600 zł do sklepu Samsung (Rabat w górę): up to 600 zł
Open PKO Konto za Zero online and meet the terms of the 'Rabat w górę' promotion
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Nawet 1200 zł zwrotu za zakupy na Allegro (Allegro Klik): cashback up to 3%, max 100 zł per month, up to 1200 zł
Open a personal account, link it to an Allegro account and activate Allegro Klik; cashback paid for purchases made with Allegro Klik
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Step
Current offer
Bonus
Cashback on Step Card purchases with Step Black: Up to 10% cashback on purchases with select Step Black Partners, and unlimited 1% cashback on everything else
Requires Step Black enrollment; Step Black is an earned status available at no cost and full status is earned by meeting qualifying activity thresholds each month
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Step savings reward: 3.00% on your savings balance (cash rewards, not interest)
Step Black is an earned status available at no cost; full status is earned by meeting qualifying activity thresholds each month; percentage is variable and may change
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | PKO Bank Polski | Step |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
PKO Bank Polski
What does it cost to keep an account here?+
The monthly fee is PLN 0 on the everyday account, so keeping it open carries no standing charge. Interest on the linked savings side is a separate matter, paid at a 4% headline rate that can move.
Is there a charge for converting currency?+
The currency conversion fee is 0% in the app, which places PKO Bank Polski at 1 of 312 brands on that measure, well under the site median of 0.5%. Transfers between own accounts are Immediate between own accounts.
Step
How much does a Step account cost each month?+
The monthly fee is $0 and the account follows a no monthly fee model, so there is nothing to pay simply for holding it. Cash handling is covered by free atm, so withdrawing at an ATM costs nothing either. The one charge to watch is Small fee for Instant Transfer to a linked debit card to a linked debit card.
What interest do I get on savings?+
The headline savings rate is 3% and it is variable, so it can move rather than being locked. The minimum deposit is $0, which means you can start small. Savings are easy access, so you can take money out without giving up a fixed term.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Related by the facts
PKO Bank Polski
Step