Bunq Reapplies for US Banking License After 2024 Withdrawal
Dutch neobank bunq has filed for a US national bank charter with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), announced January 6, 2026. This marks the company's second attempt to enter the American market after withdrawing its initial application in February 2024.
The reapplication comes at a stronger moment for bunq. The company reported €85.3 million in net profit for 2024, up 65% year-over-year, while serving over 20 million users across Europe and managing €6.9 billion in customer deposits. Founder and CEO Ali NiknamDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → cited a "favorable regulatory environment" under the Trump administration, which has conditionally approved several fintech charters since taking office.
Bunq is pursuing a two-phase US entry strategy. Phase one was completed in October 2025 when FINRA approved the company's broker-dealer license, enabling US customers to trade stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds. Phase two—the banking charter—would allow bunq to offer full deposit accounts, debit cards, and payment services. The company plans to target digital nomads, expats, and globally mobile professionals, with a focus on metropolitan areas like New York, San Francisco, and Miami.
If successful, bunq would join a competitive field of international neobanks pursuing US expansion, including Brazil's Nubank, which applied for a charter in September 2025. The OCC typically decides on applications within 120 days.
Sources: Bloomberg
bunq
Finance Magnates
FinTech Futures
Company's 2024 Annual Report
B.S.
