Bison Bank
Bison Bank is a Lisbon-headquartered Portuguese private bank offering private banking, depositary, corporate advisory, and digital asset services to high net worth individuals, asset managers, and institutional clients across 140+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersLisboa, Portugal
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Bison Bank does
Bison Bank, S.A. is a Portuguese private bank headquartered in Lisbon that delivers Private Banking, Depositary Banking, Corporate Advisory, and Digital Asset services to high net worth individuals, asset management companies, institutional clients, and digital asset service providers. The bank operates across four business lines: Private Banking (investment advisory, portfolio construction, custody, mortgage solutions, Bison Card and Bison Mobile app), Corporate Advisory (M&A, capital markets, debt restructuring, valuations, and transaction settlement), Depositary Banking (supervising 167 investment funds with €4.1B in supervised assets), and Digital Assets (custody, trading, and blockchain-based processing via its wholly-owned subsidiary Bison Digital Assets, supplemented by an MiCA-regulated Electronic Money Token and planned real-world asset tokenization).
Underlying technology includes Multi-Party Computation (MPC) for crypto key custody, blockchain-based deposit and withdrawal processing with four-eyes controls, 1:1 segregated digital asset custody, and a multi-layer security architecture; AI-powered blockchain analytics from Elliptic support compliance. The bank's go-to-market blends a dedicated Private Banker relationship model with digital self-serve channels including remote international account opening, the Bison Mobile app (iOS/Android), and a homebanking portal, reaching clients across 140+ countries.
The revenue model combines recurring fee income (advisory, custody, depositary supervision) with transaction-based fees across digital asset operations and corporate advisory mandates. In 2025, banking product reached €17.4M (+44% YoY), net profit doubled to €5M, customer deposits grew 67% to €588M, and assets under supervision exceeded €7.4B, supported by a 38.5% CET1 ratio. The bank is wholly owned by Bison Capital, which acquired the entity (formerly Banif – Banco de Investimento) in 2018.
Bison Bank firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Bison Bank
- Legal name
- Bison Bank, S.A.
- Website
- https://bisonbank.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Bison Bank is a Lisbon-headquartered Portuguese private bank offering private banking, depositary, corporate advisory, and digital asset services to high net worth individuals, asset managers, and institutional clients across 140+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Bison Bank industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Banking & Wealth Management
- NAICS
- Commercial Banking (522110), Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)
- SIC
- National Commercial Banks (6021), Functions Related To Depository Banking, Nec (6099)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment) (FSAKAAAL)
Keywords
Where Bison Bank is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lisboa
- HQ country
- Portugal
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Bison Bank business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Private Banking Services: Investment advisory, portfolio management, execution services, custody, and mortgage solutions for high net worth individuals. Revenue generated through advisory fees, custody fees, and transaction commissions.
- Depositary Bank Services: Custody and supervisory services for asset management companies and institutional customers. Revenue from depositary fees based on assets under supervision.
- Corporate Advisory: Financial consulting for mergers, acquisitions, valuations, capital markets, and debt restructuring. Revenue from advisory fees and transaction-based compensation.
- Digital Assets Services: Crypto asset custody, trading, and transfer services through Bison Digital Assets (BDA). Revenue from transaction fees and custody fees on digital asset operations. Volume transacted reached €165 million in 2025.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Complete fee schedule for all banking services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Bison Bank product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Bison Bank is a Portuguese private bank offering four integrated service lines: Private Banking (wealth management, investment advisory, portfolio construction, custody, and mortgage solutions for high net worth individuals), Corporate Advisory (M&A, capital markets, debt restructuring, valuations, and transaction settlement for companies and institutional clients), Depositary Banking (custody and supervision of investment funds for asset managers), and Digital Assets (regulated crypto-asset custody, trading, and transfer services via its Bison Digital Assets subsidiary, including a bank-issued E-Money Token). The bank combines dedicated private banker relationships with digital self-serve channels and serves clients across 140+ countries.
Product overview
Bison Bank operates as a Portuguese private banking institution offering a comprehensive suite of financial services organized into four core business lines: Private Banking (wealth management with investment advisory, portfolio construction, custody, mortgage solutions, and the Bison Card/Mobile apps), Corporate Advisory (M&A, capital markets, debt restructuring, valuations, and transaction settlement), Depositary Bank (custody services for asset managers and institutional customers), and Digital Assets (crypto-asset custody and trading through Bison Digital Assets subsidiary and its electronic money token product). The bank serves high net worth individuals, asset management companies, institutional customers, and digital asset service providers with over 25 years of experience in the Portuguese market.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Bison Mobile: Mobile banking application providing digital banking services to customers
- Bison Card
- Bison Electronic Money Token (EUB | USB)
Products and services
- Private Banking
Quantifiable outcome
- Assets under supervision exceeded €7.4 billion in 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Bison Bank
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Bison Bank technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
Bison Bank partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria-FátimaminorBison Bank supports the 'Explica-me' educational literacy project run by Cáritas Diocesana de Leiria-Fatma. The program provides weekly study support to children from economically vulnerable families, operated by young volunteers every Saturday during the school year. Support was provided following flooding episodes that exacerbated vulnerability in the Leiria region.
- AngelsWaycoreBison Bank provided strategic support to AngelsWay's first major annual event in Portugal, held at Cloudflare's Lisbon offices. The event brought together 120 investors and AI startup founders. AngelsWay is the largest angel investment community in Portugal with 436 investors and 10 portfolio investments. Bison Bank CEO António Henriques opened the event emphasizing the importance of Portuguese startups adopting global perspectives.
- CloudflarecoreCloudflare hosted the AngelsWay Portugal launch event attended by 120 investors and AI startups. Bison Bank was the strategic supporter of the event.
- EllipticcoreBison Bank adopted Elliptic's AI-supported data analysis for accelerated digital asset compliance. Elliptic provides blockchain analytics and crypto compliance solutions enabling Bison Bank to enhance AML/CTF compliance for digital asset operations.
- International Partner NetworkcoreBison Bank maintains an international network of over 125 partners and specialists providing access to investment and growth opportunities in international markets. The bank acts as a strategic bridge connecting international investors to the Portuguese market.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Bison Bank competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Banco Carregosa: Portuguese private bank focused on wealth management, asset management, and investment services for high net worth individuals and families. Directly comparable to Bison Bank's private banking franchise in the same domestic market, with overlapping services in investment advisory, custody, and portfolio management.
- Sygnum Bank: Swiss regulated digital asset bank offering crypto trading, custody, lending, and tokenization alongside traditional banking. Closely comparable to Bison Bank in combining supervised banking with integrated digital asset services under a clear regulatory framework.
- AMINA Bank (formerly SEBA Bank): Swiss FINMA-regulated bank providing digital asset custody, trading, lending, and staking alongside traditional banking services. Directly comparable to Bison Bank's positioning as a regulated bank with a full-stack digital asset offering.
- Haitong Bank, S.A. (Lisbon): Subsidiary of Chinese-backed Haitong Securities operating in Portugal, providing investment banking, corporate advisory, and asset management. Comparable to Bison Bank on the corporate advisory and cross-border (Portugal–international) private banking axis, with a similar Portuguese base and foreign capital ownership profile.
Broad incumbents
- Caixa Geral de Depósitos: Portuguese state-owned universal bank with retail, corporate, investment banking, and asset management franchises. Comparable to Bison Bank as a domestic incumbent competing for the same HNWI and institutional clients, though it operates at much larger scale across multiple business lines.
- Novo Banco: Major Portuguese commercial bank formed from the resolution of Banco Espírito Santo, with retail, corporate, and private banking divisions. Comparable as a domestic incumbent competing for the same institutional and HNWI wallet share, though at significantly larger scale.
- Millennium BCP: Largest Portuguese private-sector bank by assets, offering retail, private banking, corporate banking, and investment services with international presence. Comparable as the dominant domestic incumbent competing for HNWIs and corporate advisory mandates, though with much broader product breadth.
- Banco BPI: Major Portuguese bank controlled by CaixaBank offering retail, corporate, and private banking services with strong domestic positioning. Comparable as a domestic incumbent with overlapping private banking and corporate advisory capabilities.
Emerging players
- Zodia Custody: Institutional digital asset custodian launched by Standard Chartered and Northern Trust, offering segregated custody and execution for crypto assets. Comparable to Bison Bank's BDA digital asset custody franchise on the custody and compliance technology layer, though Zodia lacks the integrated full-bank wrapper.
- Anchorage Digital: US federally chartered digital asset bank providing custody, trading, and staking services for institutional clients under US banking supervision. Comparable to Bison Bank on the regulated-bank-meets-digital-assets axis, illustrating an analogous model in a different jurisdiction.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Bison Bank social profiles
Digital presenceBison Bank compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Bison Bank financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Bison Bank leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Bison Bank subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Bison Bank funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Bison 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 Bison Bank
What does Bison Bank do?
Bison Bank is a Portuguese private bank offering four integrated service lines: Private Banking (wealth management, investment advisory, portfolio construction, custody, and mortgage solutions for high net worth individuals), Corporate Advisory (M&A, capital markets, debt restructuring, valuations, and transaction settlement for companies and institutional clients), Depositary Banking (custody and supervision of investment funds for asset managers), and Digital Assets (regulated crypto-asset custody, trading, and transfer services via its Bison Digital Assets subsidiary, including a bank-issued E-Money Token). The bank combines dedicated private banker relationships with digital self-serve channels and serves clients across 140+ countries.
Is Bison Bank a public or private company?
Bison Bank is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Bison Bank founded?
Bison Bank was founded in 1998. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Bison Bank based?
Bison Bank is headquartered in Lisboa, Portugal, in the Europe region.
How does Bison Bank make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Private Banking Services are the primary driver. The others are depositary Bank Services, corporate Advisory and digital Assets Services.
Who are Bison Bank's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Banco Carregosa, Sygnum Bank, AMINA Bank (formerly SEBA Bank) and Haitong Bank, S.A. (Lisbon). Broad incumbents are Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Novo Banco, Millennium BCP and Banco BPI. Emerging players are Zodia Custody and Anchorage Digital.
Does Bison Bank have an API?
No public API is recorded for Bison Bank.
What industry is Bison Bank in?
Bison Bank's product category is Private Banking & Wealth Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAKAAAL, Bank & Credit Union Personal Loans (Unsecured Installment). Its NAICS code is 522110 and its SIC code is 6021.