Good news for customers: Revolut elevates its presence in Hungary

Revolut has decided to establish a branch in Hungary, bringing several benefits to its customers in the country. However, the company’s Hungarian manager has clarified that they do not intend to apply for a banking licence to operate as a subsidiary. The Hungarian National Bank has been encouraging Revolut to join the National Deposit Insurance Fund to simplify administration and provide greater security through deposit guarantees.

Revolut expands with a new branch in Hungary

In an interview with Portfolio.hu, Tamás Léder, Revolut’s country manager for Hungary, discussed the Lithuanian company’s future plans. Mr Léder revealed that they intend to launch a Hungarian branch, which will include local customer service and Hungarian bank account numbers, both of which are expected to boost Revolut’s popularity in Hungary.

The Lithuanian-based global neobank has operated in Hungary for several years. According to Mr Léder, the company already has 1.5 million users in the country, with ambitions to increase that number to 2 million by 2025. Currently, Revolut’s user penetration rate in Hungary stands at 15%, with only Romania and Ireland (at 56%) having a higher proportion of users within the European Union.

The Hungarian National Bank previously sought to persuade Revolut to establish a subsidiary in Hungary, but the company declined. Mr Léder noted that Revolut operates branches in countries such as France, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Spain, while they are currently in a pilot phase in Germany. He emphasised that the decision not to establish a Hungarian subsidiary was a strategic business choice made by Revolut’s management.

Revolut could become the primary bank for many

Mr Léder assured customers that their deposits are protected under Lithuania’s deposit insurance scheme and noted that the European Central Bank has been overseeing Revolut’s operations since 2024.

Establishing a branch in Hungary would allow the financial technology company to tailor products specifically for the local market and issue Hungarian IBAN numbers. This could position the financial technology company as the primary bank for hundreds of thousands of Hungarians and expatriates living in the country.

Mr Léder highlighted the surprisingly large number of Hungarians who currently transfer their salaries to Revolut accounts. However, this process can be cumbersome, as the funds are technically transferred to a Lithuanian account, leading to delays and potential costs. The introduction of Hungarian IBAN numbers would eliminate these issues.

Transaction tax: a competitive edge

Mr Léder pointed out that the company’s customer base in Hungary predominantly consists of higher-income individuals. Additionally, the proportion of paying customers is among the highest in the EU.

He also mentioned that Revolut pays Hungary’s transaction tax, considering it a competitive advantage. From 1 October, transactions involving currency conversions will be subject to an increased levy, raising the tax from 0.3% to 0.9%, capped at HUF 20,000 (EUR 50.8). Physical currency exchanges will see their tax rate rise to the general level of 0.45%. However, Revolut does not plan to pass these additional fees on to customers in the immediate future, although no long-term promises can be made.

Lastly, Mr Léder revealed that the Lithuanian financial technology company is eager to expand its presence in Hungary’s corporate market, where it currently serves nearly 7,000 clients.

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