What is a Neobank? Who are the Neobanks in Hong Kong?

What is a Neobank?

A neobank is a financial institution that operates entirely digitally with no physical bank branches. Typically, they run through an online platform such as a website, a smartphone application, or even both. 

Unlike traditional banks, which offer everything, including a wide-ranging list of consumer banking services, Neobanks target more niche markets with their products. Neobanks in Hong Kong leverage the modern-day obsession with technology and convenience. They provide financial products such as foreign transfers, credit lines, and payment solutions.

How Does A Neobank Work?

"Neo" means new. These new-age banks have no physical location or presence and exist entirely online. Most importantly, they offer digital and mobile-first financial solutions for payments, transfers, loans, and more. Additionally, they allow customers to make deposits, withdraw funds, provide debit cards, investment opportunities, and more. 

They also provide banking, financial services and Insurance (BFSI). However, most Neobanks need a banking license from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) as virtual banks, while some Neobanks collaborate with licensed banks as partners to provide financial services. 

What are the differences between Neobank and traditional bank?

Traditional banks are well-known for having a robust and regulated financial system. Their trustworthiness has made banks the first place that comes to mind when consumers think of financial services. 

However, as customer experience and satisfaction are pushed to the forefront of the financial landscape, a traditional bank might need help to cope with its rigid systems and rapidly evolving consumer demands. The same operating systems put in place now leave little to no room for innovation.

Here's where Neobanks differ. The slimmed-down business model of a Neobank allows it to target its intended audiences more effectively, reducing fees and increasing perks. Against an increasingly digitised generation, Neobanks offer quick solutions to the financial needs of up-and-coming businesses and consumers. 

Whether tracking business finances or transferring money to a family member overseas, Neobanks are slowly infiltrating the financial sector.

Here’s a quick look at the differences between neobanks and traditional banks in Hong Kong:

Importance Of Neobanking For Businesses

The International Data Corporation (IDC) helps you understand the challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on the traditional financial system. The average annual loss SMEs incur, depending on the legacy system, is 8,372 HKD per SME.

Businesses relying on legacy systems often have to do their banking the traditional way i.e. manually, risking repetition, error and unnecessary delays. Companies, especially SMEs, will greatly benefit from the switch to Neobanking.

How Does a Neobank Make Money?

Neobanks typically use different business models than traditional banking institutions. They make a significant portion of their revenue from the interchange, a fee merchants pay when customers shop using debit cards. Neobanks can also receive exchange rates up to seven times higher than banks with over $10 billion in assets.

There is also some debate about how many challenger banks benefit from their customers using off-network ATMs. 

Who are the Neobanks in Hong Kong? 

Neobanking might still be pretty new to Hong Kongers, but here are a few neobanks in the city that you should keep a lookout for:

1. ZA Bank - Hong Kong's First Virtual Bank Launched in 2020

ZA Bank is Hong Kong's first virtual bank, offering a full range of retail banking services. The platform provides competitive savings rates, personal loans, and transfers with no minimum balance requirement. Their SME banking solutions include business accounts with integrated payments and transfer capabilities.

Users enjoy one of the city's most competitive savings rates, with their signature Super Rate program offering up to 6.5% p.a. on deposits. The platform provides instant account opening with just a Hong Kong ID, and their loan services can be approved in as fast as five minutes.

For businesses, ZA Bank offers SME-focused solutions including business accounts with no monthly fees, integrated FPS (Faster Payment System) capabilities, and streamlined payment solutions. Their platform also supports cross-border payments and multi-currency transactions, making it ideal for businesses with international operations.

2. WeLab Bank - Digital Banking Pioneer 

WeLab Bank offers innovative digital banking services tailored for both personal and business customers. Their GoSave time deposit product has gained significant popularity by offering some of the most competitive interest rates in the market, sometimes reaching up to 7% p.a. for special promotions.

The platform stands out with its unique social savings feature, WeLab GO, which allows friends to save together and earn better rates. For day-to-day banking, users get a virtual debit card that can be used immediately upon account opening, with a physical card option available upon request.

Business customers benefit from WeLab's robust digital platform that includes features like bulk payments, automated reconciliation, and integration with popular accounting software. Their business loan products offer flexible terms with rapid approval processes, addressing a crucial need in Hong Kong's SME market.

3. Mox Bank - Smart Banking Solution 

Backed by Standard Chartered in partnership with PCCW, HKT and Trip.com, Mox Bank has quickly established itself as a leading virtual bank in Hong Kong. Their innovative approach combines everyday banking with lifestyle benefits, making it particularly attractive to young professionals and digital-savvy users.

The bank's numberless Mox Card is a standout feature, offering enhanced security and seamless integration with Apple Pay and Google Pay. Users can create separate sub-accounts called "Goals" for better money management, and the real-time spending tracking feature helps maintain budgeting discipline.

Mox offers competitive FX rates with no markup fees for overseas spending, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers. Their Advanced tier provides additional benefits including higher interest rates and cashback rewards on spending.

What are the advantages of using a Neobank?

There are many advantages of neobanks, but here’s a rundown of the most alluring features of one:

1. Convenient and Accessible

Smartphone penetration rates in Hong Kong reached 96% in 2023, representing one of the highest rates of mobile adoption in Asia. In today's digital age, nearly everyone in Hong Kong carries a smartphone.

Leveraging on the tech-savviness of its consumers, neobanks uses algorithms and cloud-based tools to provide efficient and accurate financial services—all through a mobile application. With just a click of a button, consumers will be able to bypass the many processes required at a traditional bank.

The wealth of information that traditional banks provide might sometimes be confusing to those who have limited financial awareness. Neobanks break down financial processes into digestible bite-sized pieces, offering easy access to services such as loans, and peer-to-peer transfers.

2. Lower Account Fees

As neobanks don't have physical branches, they have a significant cost advantage in operation. These cost savings are translated into lower application, account, and programme fees for their customers.

To give you an example, opening a business account with a traditional bank usually requires a minimum deposit and minimum monthly balance. This could be a hefty sum to fork out for a small business looking to get its feet off the ground.

Neobanks have less administrative costs than banks do, so opening a business account with a neobank provides more value for money. On top of that, neobanks often offer lower FX rates and transfer fees, great for SMEs and startups looking to expand overseas.

Another significant advantage of utilising a neobank is the absence of fees associated with various services. Many neobanks do not impose monthly service fees or overdraft fees. Most neobanks allow you to open a bank account with no minimum balance, simplifying money management and alleviating concerns about unexpected charges.

💡 Tips: From monthly minimum balance to fall-below fees, such account fees could quickly add up to your business expenses. Choose a business account with low account fees to generate more savings.

3. Personalised customer experience

While traditional banks do offer a host of financial products such as credit cards, insurance and loans to a general audience, neobanks target more specific audiences. Examples include creating products that work on payrolls, expense management and automated accounting services for freelancers.

Neobanks also often offer add-on products as a way to offer solutions to corporate finance challenges SMEs face. Integrating APIs into their platform is just one of the many ways neobanks help to streamline business workflows.

Being entirely online, neobanks are able to analyse customer behaviour and pain points through data-driven processes easily. This provides an avenue for neobanks to update their interface, swiftly making their platform ultra-user friendly.

The Present State Of Neobanks In Hong Kong

Neobanks often work with regular banks, which are members of the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board (HKDPB), to maintain regulations and ensure the security of your funds. The name of the deposit insurance company might vary depending on the region, but the system is the same throughout.

In Hong Kong, virtual banks are fully licensed by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and operate under the same regulatory framework as traditional banks. Money deposited in a virtual bank account is protected up to HKD 500,000 under the Deposit Protection Scheme.

Why are neobanks still evolving in Hong Kong? 

Hong Kong has taken a proactive approach to virtual banking, with the HKMA granting eight virtual banking licenses since 2019. However, the market is still maturing as these new players work to build trust and market share in a city with a strong traditional banking presence.

Virtual banks in Hong Kong must maintain a minimum paid-up capital of HKD 300 million and meet stringent regulatory requirements. While this ensures stability and security, it also means that only well-backed institutions can enter the market.

Should You Consider Switching To A Neobank?

The appeal of Neobanks is immediately apparent as more and more customers seek digital financial services. It's convenient to perform routine tasks like carrying out peer-to-peer payment transfers online without having to incur a barrage of fees. The agility of Neobanks, which typically faces fewer regulatory hurdles, often results in easier account setup and faster processing times. They are easy to use, less time-consuming, user-friendly and lend power into the hands of the users by making mundane tasks seem straightforward and efficient.

However, Neobanks are not for everyone; they are best when it comes to SMEs & startups. Usually, the number of financial services a Neobank offers might be lesser than traditional banks. Their credit limits might be lower than those of traditional banks. They focus more on basics like checking and savings accounts than on offering mortgages and other types of credit. Unlike traditional banks, neobanks have no physical branches where the customer can avail in person services and support. 

Is Neobanks The Future Of Banking?

Whether you opt for a Neobank or a traditional bank for your financial services, both will provide economic tools to run your business processes and carry out your daily activities. If you're a traditional business owner, a brick-and-mortar bank can offer you financial solutions more suited to your company. But if you're a startup owner looking to automate and cut down on chunky financial processes, Neobanks might have your dream product up their sleeves.

How To Choose A Neobank For Your Business?

You should think about a few distinct criteria when comparing different Neobanks to decide which one will best suit your needs:

1. Products available: You can check products and services that your brand uses the most and their availability with the Neobank. Moreover, you can see the bank's website to determine whether the items they provide satisfy your needs or whether you should continue looking for a bank with more to offer.

2. Interest rates and fees: Depending on the objective of your account, you should examine the fees and interest rates offered by each bank to decide which Neobank will best assist you in achieving your future goals. Choose a Neobank that provides a competitive rate on a high-yield savings account or Certificate of Deposit (CD) if the goal is to increase your money. The availability of a no-fee checking account may be particularly important if the Neobank will be used for regular expenses.

3. Deposit insurance: Because not all banks are HKDPB (Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board) members, you should ensure the bank your Neobank is associated with is an HKDPB member.

4. Customer service channels: You can research the types of customer service alternatives each Neobank provides, including chat, phone, email, or text help, as well as their operating hours. You should be aware of your options if you ever find yourself in a scenario where you require assistance or have inquiries about your account.

‍Reviews and ratings: Go to the app store on your phone to read reviews of the Neobank app, which may serve as your primary platform for banking needs.