The fintech startup scene in Nigeria has seen significant growth, leading to the emergence of various Nigerian online banks. Opening a Nigerian bank account online has become a reality, eliminating the need to visit a physical bank branch. Many virtual banks even offer virtual dollar cards in Nigeria, facilitating international USD transactions from the country. In this article, we will explore the best online bank accounts in Nigeria, along with their unique features and benefits.
ALAT By Wema
ALAT, operated by Wema Bank, is a fully virtual bank in Nigeria and widely regarded as one of the best digital banks in the country. To open an account with ALAT, simply download their app from Google Play or Apple Store. ALAT offers a wide range of services, including access to instant online loans, virtual dollar cards, savings options, bill payments, money transfers, and virtual accounts for online payments.
Moreover, it is one of the online banks in Nigeria you can open without BVN. If you’re already a Wema Bank customer, you can easily fund your ALAT account through your Wema bank account. Additionally, you can fund it using bank transfers or local and international debit or credit cards. Whether you need a personal savings account or a business bank account, ALAT has you covered.
Rubies
Rubies is a digital bank in Nigeria that caters to millennials, young professionals, SMEs, quasi-financial institutions, and fintech companies in Nigeria. As a registered Microfinance Bank (MFB) under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Rubies provides a safe and legit Nigerian online bank account.
To open an account with Rubies, you’ll need a valid Nigerian passport or National ID card, a valid email address, a mobile phone number, and a physical address in Nigeria. Additionally, a minimum deposit of NGN 1,000 is required to get started.
Among its key features, Rubies offers personal accounts, naira debit cards, virtual dollar cards, savings options, and business accounts to manage finances and accept online payments.
VBank
VBank (or VFD Microfinance Bank) is a bank that offer virtual accounts in Nigeria. It provides a wide range of banking products and services, including savings and current accounts, loans, and bill payments. They offer various digital banking features like mobile banking, WhatsApp banking, and USSD banking. Additionally, they have savings, fixed deposit, debit card, and joint accounts.
Being a member of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the bank ensures that all your deposits are insured. An interesting feature is the ability to open an online bank account without BVN by using your other bank account numbers. Furthermore, they offer zero charges until your 51st transaction and zero account maintenance fees.
Kuda Bank
Kuda Bank, based in Lagos, Nigeria, is a pioneering digital microfinance bank in Nigeria that operates through a mobile app. It stands out as the first digital bank in Nigeria to provide banking services through mobile technology.
The bank offers a number of services, including personal and business accounts, debit cards, loans, bill payments, business receivables, and investment options. To open an account with Kuda, you must be at least 16 years old and have a valid email address and phone number. However, accounts opened without a BVN may have certain limitations imposed.
Sparkle
Sparkle is a licensed Nigerian virtual bank established in 2019, authorized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). All deposits are protected by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The bank offers personal and business accounts, savings options, and allows instant money transfers to friends and family, regardless of whether they use Sparkle or other Nigerian banks. Moreover, users can conveniently pay bills, top up mobile airtime and data, and access features like scheduled payments, QR payments, debit cards, and loans.
To open an account with Sparkle, you need to be a Nigerian citizen with a valid BVN. Additionally, you should have a smartphone with the Sparkle app installed and a minimum of NGN1,000 to fund your account. Your phone number becomes your first bank account with Sparkle.
Eyowo MFB
Eyowo is a digital bank that helps customers open accounts in a few minutes. You can download the app from Google Play or Apple Store. It is stress-free to open an account with Eyowo. No paperwork is required o open an account.
Eyowo offers the following banking features, debit cards, dollar cards, pay bills, cardless ATM withdrawals, savings account, zero percent interest rate and scan to pay. Besides, it offers loans at zero interest rates.
OneBank
OneBank, powered by Sterling Bank, is a digital igerian banking app designed to provide online banking experiences. With instant registration, you can make payments, invest, and borrow money all within the app. Avoiding the need to visit a branch, OneBank allows self-onboarding, BVN entry, and document upload for quick transactions. The online bank offers various services, including investments, forex transfers, loans, bill payments, airtime top-ups, and virtual card options. Furthermore, you can search for the closest ATM and have access to withdraw cash even without your debit/credit card.
Mintyn Bank
Mintyn is an online bank in Nigeria offered by Finex Microfinance Bank Ltd., a licensed institution by the Central Bank of Nigeria. All Mintyn deposits are insured by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The account options include personal, current, and savings accounts, with features like split bills, debit cards, bulk transfers, business registration, and a business account. Other benefits include Mintyn gift cards, no monthly fees for personal or business accounts, investment opportunities, and the ability to shop internationally using Mintyn virtual gift cards. Additionally, loans and joint accounts are available.
To open Mintyn account, download the Mintyn app, provide your phone number, and choose to open your Mintyn account using your bank verification number (BVN) or an existing bank account.
Which Online Bank Is the Best in Nigeria?
Many people are increasingly adopting online bank in Nigeria for its convenience. Virtual bank accounts in Nigeria provide a convenient and secure way to manage your finances online. You can use them to send and receive money, make payments, set spending limits, and save money. You can fund your virtual bank account using a bank transfer, debit or a credit card, while you can withdraw money through an ATM or credit or debit card. Some of these banks even offer virtual dollar card in Nigeria. You can open personal or business accounts online and conduct transactions using your mobile phone through an app.
The best online bank in Nigeria depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, the list in this article of banks you can open online in Nigeria includes some of the most popular and highly rated online banks in the country.
Can I open online bank account in Nigeria without BVN?
Yes, you can open an online bank in Nigeria without a BVN. However, the options are limited. Banks you can open without BVN include ALAT.
Can I open a bank account online in Nigeria?
Yes, you can open a bank account online in Nigeria.
Can I open Wema bank account online?
Yes, that's correct. You can open a Wema Bank account online via their digital banking platform, ALAT. Although Wema Bank is not an online bank, its digital platform, ALAT, enables you to easily open an account and conduct your banking activities online.
Which bank is OneBank?
OneBank is an online bank in Nigeria brought to you by Sterling Bank. It offers personal and business accounts, all in the app.
Which bank is Sparkle Bank?
Sparkle is an online Nigerian virtual bank established in 2019, authorized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
What bank is Rubies?
Rubies is a digital bank in Nigeria that offers banking services targeted at millennials, young professionals, SMEs, and fintech companies. It is a licensed microfinance bank in Nigeria.
Does Mintyn have a virtual card?
Mintyn does offer virtual cards, which includes virtual dollar cards and virtual gift cards that can be used for online purchases in global stores like Amazon, eBay, etc.
Is Kuda Bank a safe bank?
Kuda Bank is a secure financial institution. It holds a full license and operates under the regulation of Nigeria. Your deposits at Kuda Bank are safeguarded by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
Can I borrow money from Eyowo?
No, Eyowo is not a lending institution, and therefore, you cannot borrow money from them. Instead, Eyowo serves as a digital payments platform, enabling you to perform various financial transactions such as sending, receiving, and storing money in Nigeria.