Fortuneo is today one of the main French online banks. Attractive in terms of its services and its prices, it was designated the least expensive bank by the MoneyVox editorial staff during the Banking Trophies for 2023. But who does it belong to?
Bank account, savings account, life insurance… Fortuneo offers a complete banking offer. Like most online banks, it is attached to a group that owns traditional banks. Fortuneo therefore belongs to Crdit Mutuel Arka(branch of the Crdit Mutuel group), which also includes the federations of Crdit Mutuel de Bretagne and Crdit Mutuel du Sud-Ouest.
Fortuneo wasn’t always an online bank. Indeed, created in 2000, it first decided to launch a stock exchange offer. Acquired in 2006 by Crdit Mutuel Arka, it was not until 2009 that it was destined for online banking for individuals. It is now a trademark of Arkea Direct bank and has a significant presence in Europe, particularly in France and Belgium.
Crdit Mutuel Arka, calling itself a “bancassurance”, is a company in constant progress. It has, including Fortuneo, 5.5million customers, with total savings outstanding of more than 155 billion euros. For several years, Arka has been trying to leave the Crdit Mutuel group, but its independence is not yet on the agenda.
Fortuneo or a full range of banking products
Like most online banks, Fortuneo’s flagship product is its bank account. It offers three offersaccompanied by a free credit card: Fosfo, with no income requirement and accessible to all, the Gold Mastercard, requiring a minimum of 1,800 euros in income per month, and the World Elite Mastercard, available from 4,000 euros in income per month. Depending on the card chosen, the free is conditional either on the use of the means of payment, or on payments into the account. For all offers, current operations (transfers, direct debits, withdrawals in the euro zone, etc.) do not involve any costs.
Fortuneo does not forget to allow its customers to save, in particular by offering regulated savings products with the Livret A or the Sustainable and Solidarity Development Livret, but also its own tax-paying savings accounts, such as the Livret +. In life insurance, online banking distributes the Fortuneo Vie policy, insured by Suravenir (another subsidiary of Crdit Mutuel Arkea). Online banking also offers its customers an online brokerage offer. Finally, Fortuneo also supports its clients in their projects with real estate loans and personal loans.
Fortuneo in a few figures
- Over 1,050,000 active customers
- 32 billion euros in outstandings in France, Belgium and Luxembourg
- More than 200 salaries
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