BNP Paribas has launched Europe's first stand-alone digital mobile bank, Hello Bank!, in Belgium and Germany.
Billed as 'native mobile bank', Hello Bank! accounts can be opened in just four steps from an Android or Apple smartphone, tablet and over the Internet.
BNP Paribas head of digital banking Europe Virginie Fauvel says: "Our apps are designed to provide a customer experience in line with the very best digital providers. Hello bank! is simple, smart, human and safe."
BNP Paribas has set a target for 1.4 million clients over the next five years, with additional launches planned for France in June and Italy in October.
The digital-first approach is backed by a team of staff working six days a week to answer queries via chat, email, tweet and voice phone. Hello Bank! users will also have access to BNP Paribas' extended branch network and online brokerage via Cortal Consors in Germany.
François Villeroy de Galhau, BNP Paribas Group COO, says Hello bank! is fully geared to the new digital and social habits that are transforming people's relationships with their bank.
"Hello bank! offers a fresh approach to banking aimed at all those who live the mobile experience," he says.
The bank employed the services of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra to launch the bank in a surprise public performance of the prelude to Carmen at the Prague Public Theatre, which was filmed for a YouTube campaign.