The Savings Account Plus

In brief, what is it?

A regulated savings account into which you deposit your savings while obtaining an attractive return.

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  • A free savings account*.
  • A base interest rate of 0.50% gross annually.
  • A fidelity premium of 1.00%. This is acquired for any amount remaining on the account for 12 consecutive full months.
  • You can access your money at any time and use it as and when you need it.
  • Ceiling of €100,000 per account, max. 1 account per identical (joint) account holder.
  • Opening an account with the Hello bank! app.
Some reading before you open an account: Essential information for savers.

*Is the balance of your account less than €25 and have you not made any withdrawals or payments in the last ten years? An annual fee of €2.50 will be deducted in that case, provided you are at least 24 years old and that you don't have any other accounts with BNP Paribas Fortis.

The Savings Account Plus is a regulated savings account under Belgian law marketed by BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV.


An attractive return

A base interest rate of 0.50% gross annually is calculated per day.

A fidelity premium of 1.00% gross annually is calculated on every deposit that remains on the account for 12 months consecutively without interruption, and is guaranteed during the (entire) acquisition period.

To obtain a better return on your savings, it is therefore best not to touch them for at least one year.

The base interest rate and the fidelity premium are subject to fluctuations depending on market conditions or any changes in the legally authorised limits. No unpleasant surprises.
You will be informed through your bank statements if the base interest rate and/or fidelity premium change.

Access your money at any time

Your Savings Account Plus is open for an indefinite term. If you have extra money, deposit it into this account where it is tucked away safely. And if you need it because you want to treat yourself or in the event of unexpected expenses, the money is right there. Just transfer the amount you need back into your payment account.

Tax

Interest is exempt from tax up to a limit of €980 (in 2023). For married couples and legal cohabitants who open a joint savings account, this is double, or €1,960. If you have received more than €980 in interest, a withholding tax of 15% is automatically levied on the amount in excess of the above limit.

Ceiling of €100,000

The balance of the Savings Account Plus is capped at €100,000. If the balance of your account is greater than this ceiling, the amount in excess is transferred to a Deposit Account, an existing non-regulated savings account or a non-regulated savings account that is opened specifically for this purpose, with identical management powers (same holder or joint holders, same representative(s), same management parameters). This other account, which is used to deposit the excess amount in anticipation of its short-term or medium-term allocation, offers the same flexibility as your Savings Account Plus.

One account per (joint) account holder

A Savings Account Plus can only be opened if the same holder or joint holders has/have not already opened a Savings Account Plus with Hello bank! or BNP Paribas Fortis. Already have one? Discover another solution for you.

Risks for savers

Risk of bankruptcy : in the event of bankruptcy or risk of bankruptcy of the financial institution, the saver shall bear the risk for not recovering his/her savings or may be subject to a reduction/conversion into equity/shares (bail-in) of the receivables that he/she is owed by the financial institution greater than €100,000, i.e., the amount protected by the deposit protection mechanism.

Inflation risk : in case of inflation, a continued rise in prices could cause the deposited money to lose value.

Complaints and Right of Recourse

Complaints can be made to the Bank through the Hello Team or by using the complaint form.

If the proposed solution is not satisfactory, the holder can file a written complaint to the Bank’s Complaints Management section by sending a letter to the following address:

BNP Paribas Fortis SA/NV - Complaints Management
Montagne du Parc/Warandeberg 3
1000 Brussels
Telephone: +32 2 228 72 18
E-mail: gestiondesplaintes@bnpparibasfortis.com

If the holder is not satisfied with the solution proposed by the Bank’s Complaints Management section, they can present the dispute to:

OMBUDSFIN – Ombudsman in Financial Matters by writing to:
North Gate II, Boulevard du Roi Albert II, no. 8, box. 2, 1000 Brussels
Telephone: +32 2 545 77 70
E-mail: ombudsman@ombudsfin.be
Website: www.ombudsfin.be


How can I open my  Savings Account Plus?

It's easy! Do it in your Hello bank! app.
On the home page of your app, click on “Offer”, then on “Savings account” and select the Savings Account Plus.

You can open a Savings Account Plus provided you do not yet have a Savings Account Plus with the same account holder or joint account holder with Hello bank! or BNP Paribas Fortis. Please read before opening an account: Essential information for savers.