C24 Bank
C24 Bank GmbH is a BaFin-licensed German digital direct bank and wholly-owned CHECK24 subsidiary offering tiered mobile current accounts (Smart, Plus, Max) with Mastercard, Pockets, and AI-powered contract optimization for German retail consumers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersHessen, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What C24 Bank does
C24 Bank GmbH is a German digital direct bank founded in 2019 and headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the CHECK24 comparison group. It holds a full BaFin German banking license, is regulated under EU banking rules, and serves German retail consumers through a branchless, mobile-first platform available on iOS (4.8/5) and Android (4.7/5). The core product is a three-tier current account — C24 Smart (€0/month), C24 Plus (€5.90/month), and C24 Max (€9.90/month) — each bundled with a C24 Mastercard debit, the eco-friendly C24 girocard, interest-bearing Pockets sub-accounts with individual IBANs, real-time SEPA transfers, and ARAG account/purchase protection on paid tiers.
The technology stack is built around an AI-assisted personal finance layer that automatically categorizes transactions and recognizes recurring contracts, then surfaces optimization recommendations by cross-referencing CHECK24's proprietary tariff database across electricity, gas, insurance, and mobile services. Supporting features include multibanking aggregation of external German bank accounts, photo/QR bill pay, P2P transfers, IBAN-name recipient verification (EU-standard from October 2025), and a virtual Mastercard issuance engine. Distribution is fully digital (app, web, app stores) with cash access delivered through the Viacash barcode network at 12,000+ retail points (REWE, Penny, DM, Rossmann, NKD, Toom, Barbarino) and ReiseBank branches.
The business model combines tiered monthly subscriptions, Mastercard interchange on payment volumes, interest spreads on Pockets savings and Dispokredit overdrafts (up to €10,000 at 7.49% APR), Festgeld fixed-term deposits (€1,000–€100,000), and Open Banking referral commissions routed through CHECK24 for personal loans (300+ partner banks), mortgages (450+ partner banks), credit cards, and investment products. Headcount is reported at 101–250 employees. Strategic positioning is supported by 2026 recognition from n-tv (Deutscher App-Award 2026, 95.8/100 from 23,000+ respondents), Capital (Höchstnote), Focus Money (Platz 2), and Finanzfluss (Bestes Girokonto).
C24 Bank firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- C24 Bank
- Legal name
- C24 Bank GmbH
- Website
- https://c24.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- C24 Bank GmbH is a BaFin-licensed German digital direct bank and wholly-owned CHECK24 subsidiary offering tiered mobile current accounts (Smart, Plus, Max) with Mastercard, Pockets, and AI-powered contract optimization for German retail consumers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where C24 Bank is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hessen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
C24 Bank business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Monthly subscription fees: C24 Bank generates revenue through tiered monthly subscription fees for its three account models: Smart (free), Plus (5.90 EUR/month), and Max (9.90 EUR/month). Higher tiers offer increased cashback rates, more free withdrawals, and additional features like ARAG insurance protection.
- Interchange and transaction fees: The bank earns interchange fees on Mastercard transactions. While domestic and international payments are marketed as free, the bank generates revenue from the merchant discount rates on card transactions.
- Financial product referrals: As an Open Banking platform, C24 Bank earns referral commissions by offering CHECK24 comparison products including credit cards, personal loans (300+ partner banks), home mortgages (450+ partner banks), and other financial products from third-party institutions.
- Fixed-term deposits (Festgeld): Fixed-term savings products with guaranteed interest rates for durations of 1 month to 1 year, minimum investment 1,000 EUR up to 100,000 EUR.
- Interest rate spread on lending: Revenue generated from interest rate spreads on overdraft facilities (Dispokredit) starting at 7.49% APR up to 10,000 EUR, and potential future lending products.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | C24 Smart - Free basic account with essential features |
| Subscription | Monthly | C24 Plus - Mid-tier account with enhanced cashback and more Pockets |
| Subscription | Monthly | C24 Max - Premium account with metal card and maximum benefits |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Dispokredit - Overdraft facility |
| Subscription | Monthly | Tagesgeldpocket - Daily savings account |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Festgeld - Fixed-term deposit |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
C24 Bank product offering
Product offeringCore offering
C24 Bank is a German digital direct bank offering tiered current accounts (C24 Smart free, Plus €5.90/month, Max €9.90/month) bundled with a Mastercard debit card, an eco-friendly girocard, Pockets sub-accounts, and AI-powered financial management tools. It also provides savings products (Tagesgeldpocket, Festgeld), an overdraft facility, an Open Banking comparison platform for loans and mortgages, and integrated payment innovations like real-time SEPA transfers and photo-based bill pay.
Product overview
C24 Bank is a German digital direct bank (subsidiary of CHECK24) offering a tiered mobile banking platform centered on three current account tiers (Smart at €0/month, Plus at €5.90/month, Max at €9.90/month). The platform integrates AI-powered expense categorization and contract recognition to surface savings opportunities. Beyond core checking accounts, the product portfolio includes the C24 Mastercard debit card (available as physical metal card, standard card, or up to 20 virtual cards), the eco-friendly C24 girocard, Pockets sub-accounts with individual IBANs, Tagesgeldpocket savings (0.5% up to €100,000), and Festgeld fixed-term deposits (€1,000–€100,000). Credit offerings include Dispokredit overdrafts up to €10,000 and open-banking product comparisons for Ratenkredit, Baufinanzierung, Kreditkarte, and Geldanlage via CHECK24's 300–450+ partner banks. Payment innovations include Echtzeit-Überweisung (real-time SEPA), Fotoüberweisung (photo-based bill pay), Zahlungslink (payment requests), Geld-an-Kontakte P2P transfers, and Empfängerüberprüfung (IBAN-name verification). The platform supports Google Pay, Apple Pay, Click to Pay, and Multibanking aggregation of external German bank accounts. Premium tiers include ARAG account and purchase protection insurance and exclusive CHECK24 Smily loyalty benefits.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- C24 Smart: Free current account with Mastercard and girocard, worldwide free payments, free instant transfers, up to 4 sub-accounts with IBAN
- C24 Plus
- C24 Max
- C24 Gemeinschaftskonto
- Tagesgeldpocket
- C24 Festgeld
Products and services
- C24 Smart (Girokonto) Free basic current account with Mastercard debit card, 4 free Pockets (sub-accounts with IBAN), 4 free ATM withdrawals worldwide per month, 0.05% base cashback, and AI-powered expense analysis and contract recognition features. Target customers are German consumers seeking fee-free digital banking.
- C24 Plus (Girokonto) Mid-tier account at €5.90/month with personalized Mastercard in 4 color choices, 0.5% cashback up to €12/month (then 0.1%), 20 free Pockets, 20 free ATM withdrawals, ARAG account and purchase protection, and up to 5% promotional cashback at partners.
- C24 Max (Girokonto) Premium account at €9.90/month with metal Mastercard in custom color, 1% cashback up to €24/month (then 0.2%), 20 free Pockets, 20 free ATM withdrawals, ARAG account and purchase protection Plus, free cash deposits, premium customer service, and Level-3 Smily loyalty status with travel insurance benefits.
- C24 Gemeinschaftskonto (Joint Account) Shared account for two C24 users with equal co-ownership, 4 free Pockets, 0.5% interest p.a. on balances up to €50,000, linked virtual or physical cards, and shared budget and savings management features. Targeted at couples and families.
- Tagesgeldpocket (Daily Savings Pocket) Savings sub-account with 0.5% interest p.a. on balances up to €100,000, automatic monthly interest payouts, linked to savings automation features (rounding rules, income distributor, surplus saving), and optional savings goals.
- Festgeld (Fixed-Term Deposit) Fixed-term savings product with guaranteed interest rate for the entire chosen term, minimum investment €1,000 up to €100,000, terms from 1 month to 1 year, with optional automatic renewal.
- Dispokredit (Overdraft Facility) Flexible overdraft facility up to €10,000 for salary account holders with sufficient creditworthiness. Interest rate starting at 7.49% APR (varies by creditworthiness), no fees when not utilized, with adjustable personal limit managed in app.
- Ratenkredit (Personal Loan Comparison) Open Banking comparison platform offering installment loans from 300+ partner banks via CHECK24, enabling customers to find the best rates for personal loans.
- Baufinanzierung (Mortgage Comparison) Open Banking comparison platform offering mortgage loans from 450+ partner banks via CHECK24, enabling customers to find optimal property financing rates.
- Geldanlage (Savings & Investment Comparison) Open Banking platform for comparing Termingeld, Tagesgeld, and other savings/investment products from direct banks, branch banks, and regional banks via CHECK24 comparison.
- Kreditkarte (Credit Card Comparison) Open Banking platform for comparing credit cards from other banks via CHECK24, offered to support use cases (e.g., international car rentals) where service providers require credit cards rather than debit cards.
- C24 Mastercard Debit Card Debit Mastercard included with all C24 account tiers, enabling worldwide fee-free payments, free ATM withdrawals (at 57,000+ German ATMs and globally via Mastercard network), Apple Pay and Google Pay integration, customizable card limits, and up to 10% promotional cashback at partner merchants.
- C24 girocard (EC Card) EC card made from eco-friendly corn starch, offering contactless payment at all terminals with the contactless symbol, included free with all C24 accounts.
- Virtuelle C24 Mastercard (Virtual Card) Digital virtual Mastercard that can be created instantly in the app for secure online payments; up to 20 virtual cards available with Plus/Max accounts, supporting Apple Pay and Google Pay wallet integration.
Quantifiable outcome
- Customers receive up to 10% cashback on purchases at promotional partners like Netflix, Shell, and Lieferando
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use C24 Bank
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
C24 Bank technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
C24 Bank partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- ARAG SEcoreARAG provides Konto- und Käuferschutz Plus insurance coverage for C24 Plus and Max account holders. The protection covers internet crime cases including phishing, hacking, and skimming fraud, as well as purchase protection for undelivered online orders and protection for bonus systems. This partnership adds significant value to premium account tiers.
- CHECK24coreCHECK24 is the parent platform providing Open Banking infrastructure, customer acquisition channel, and integration with its comparison ecosystem. C24 Bank leverages CHECK24's database of thousands of tariffs for AI-powered savings recommendations. The bank also offers CHECK24 financial product comparisons (mortgages from 450+ banks, loans from 300+ banks) and participates in the CHECK24 Smily loyalty program.
- MastercardcoreMastercard provides the debit card infrastructure for C24 Bank accounts. All C24 accounts include a Mastercard debit card accepted worldwide. The partnership includes Identity Check two-factor authentication for secure online payments and integration with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Viacash / BarzahlenmajorViacash enables cash deposits and withdrawals at over 12,000 partner retail locations across Germany including REWE, Penny, DM, Rossmann, NKD, Toom, and Barbarino. Customers generate a barcode in the app and present it at checkout for cash transactions.
- ReiseBank AGminorReiseBank provides cash deposit services for larger amounts on C24 accounts. Deposited funds are typically available within two business days. This supplements the Viacash network for customers needing to deposit larger sums.
- REWE GroupminorREWE supermarket chain serves as cash deposit and withdrawal partner through the Viacash network. Customers can deposit or withdraw cash when shopping at REWE stores.
- DM-Drogerie MarktminorDM drugstore chain participates in the Viacash network for cash deposits and withdrawals, providing convenient access points for C24 customers.
- RossmannminorRossmann pharmacy chain offers cash deposit and withdrawal services through the Viacash partnership, expanding the retail network for C24 cash services.
- PennyminorPenny discounter chain provides cash deposit and withdrawal services through the Viacash barcode system for C24 Bank customers.
- Allianz TravelmajorAllianz Travel provides complimentary travel insurance packages for C24 Max account holders who are Level-3 members of the CHECK24 Smily loyalty program. Coverage applies to hotel, package travel, city trips, car rentals, and vacation apartment bookings made through CHECK24.
- Google PaycoreGoogle Pay integration allows C24 Mastercard holders to make contactless payments with Android smartphones at any terminal accepting Google Pay or contactless payments.
- Apple PaycoreApple Pay integration enables C24 Mastercard holders to add their card to Apple Wallet and pay contactless with iPhone or Apple Watch at compatible terminals worldwide.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
C24 Bank competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- N26: Berlin-headquartered neobank with a German BaFin license, offering free/premium current accounts, Mastercard, savings products, and app-first banking to a comparable German consumer audience. Closest direct competitor to C24 in the German mobile banking category.
- Revolut: UK-headquartered global neobank with significant German user base, offering tiered accounts, Mastercard cards, multi-currency wallets, savings, and P2P payments. Targets the same German digital-first consumer segment with a similar tiered subscription model.
- bunq: Amsterdam-based European neobank with a banking license (DNB), offering tiered subscription accounts, Mastercard debit cards, and open banking aggregation for European consumers. Closely comparable business model and pricing structure to C24's tiered model.
- Tomorrow Bank: Hamburg-based sustainable neobank operating under a German banking-as-a-service partner license, offering current accounts, cards, and impact-focused banking to German consumers. Direct competitor in the German eco-conscious digital banking niche.
Broad incumbents
- ING-DiBa: Frankfurt-based large German direct bank, the country's largest direct bank by accounts. Offers free current accounts, savings, brokerages, and consumer lending — overlapping with C24's core propositions but as part of a much broader retail banking portfolio.
- DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank): Berlin-based German direct bank owned by BayernLB, offering free current accounts, savings, credit cards, and consumer loans. Established branchless bank with broad product set that competes with C24 on fee-free banking and interest-bearing balances.
Emerging players
- Trade Republic: Berlin-headquartered fintech with a German banking license (BaFin) via partnership, offering a brokerage-first account, savings, and debit card to over a million German customers. Comparable licensed German neobank targeting a similar retail audience with adjacent (investing-led) product focus.
- Solaris SE: Berlin-based Banking-as-a-Service platform with its own BaFin license, enabling embedded finance products. Comparable licensed German digital bank, though operating upstream as infrastructure provider rather than direct-to-consumer.
- Klarna: Stockholm-headquartered global BNPL and consumer banking platform that has expanded into general-purpose banking (Klarna app, debit card). Comparable licensed European fintech scale and consumer brand, though product emphasis differs (payments-first vs. accounts-first).
- Vivid Money: Berlin-headquartered European neobank operating under a partner banking license, offering tiered subscription accounts, multi-currency wallets, and investment features. Direct competitor in the German/Spanish European mobile banking category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
C24 Bank social profiles
Digital presenceC24 Bank compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
C24 Bank financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
C24 Bank leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
C24 Bank funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
C24 Bank M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about C24 Bank
What does C24 Bank do?
C24 Bank is a German digital direct bank offering tiered current accounts (C24 Smart free, Plus €5.90/month, Max €9.90/month) bundled with a Mastercard debit card, an eco-friendly girocard, Pockets sub-accounts, and AI-powered financial management tools. It also provides savings products (Tagesgeldpocket, Festgeld), an overdraft facility, an Open Banking comparison platform for loans and mortgages, and integrated payment innovations like real-time SEPA transfers and photo-based bill pay.
Is C24 Bank a public or private company?
C24 Bank is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was C24 Bank founded?
C24 Bank was founded in 2019. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is C24 Bank based?
C24 Bank is headquartered in Hessen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does C24 Bank make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Monthly subscription fees are the primary driver. The others are interchange and transaction fees, financial product referrals, fixed-term deposits (Festgeld) and interest rate spread on lending.
Who are C24 Bank's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are N26, Revolut, bunq and Tomorrow Bank. Broad incumbents are ING-DiBa and DKB (Deutsche Kreditbank). Emerging players are Trade Republic, Solaris SE, Klarna and Vivid Money.
Does C24 Bank have an API?
No public API is recorded for C24 Bank.