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"Monese meets all my financial needs here in Europe"

Berlin-based student Ruona needed a way to receive money from her parents in West Africa

By Melissa on July 2, 2020

Ruona

At Monese, we believe in helping people access financial services no matter where they are in the world. You’ll always know your money is with you, whether you’re an expat worker living in London, a wandering globetrotter or an international student like Ruona.

Meet Ruona

Ruona is studying for her master's in Berlin, Germany. Originally from Nigeria, she moved to Europe in 2018 to begin her studies. Her parents back in West Africa were her main source of financial support and were helping to pay for her school’s tuition. So Ruona urgently needed to open a bank account upon arrival so they could send money and pay for the upcoming semester. But opening a traditional bank account in Germany would prove to be harder than Ruona anticipated.

“The first bank I approached rejected me because I couldn’t speak German. The second refused me because I didn’t have proof of address”, she recalled. “I had just arrived in Berlin and hadn't gotten a more permanent, long-term accommodation yet. I was living from one hostel to another”.

Monese had good reviews and looked very promising.

Eventually, Ruona was turned on to mobile-only money accounts that operate entirely online. Unfortunately, the first one she downloaded was also a road blocker for her because the app would only accept international transfers from within SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) countries. Finally, she stumbled upon Monese. “Monese had good reviews and looked very promising”, she said. “Registration was fast and easy. I was quickly able to get an IBAN and sent my new account details to my dad”.

Send and receive money internationally

One of the main reasons our customers find Monese so useful is our international and cost-effective money transfer service. With Monese, you can send money in 19 currencies, including all Eurozone countries and we’re constantly working on adding new currencies and destination countries.

What I like most is being able to receive money internationally from anywhere with reasonable exchange rates.

Plus, with Monese, you can quickly and easily top up your account with bank transfers from most countries in the world, for zero fees from us (but keep in mind the sending bank may charge a fee). “While I like everything about my Monese account, what I like most is being able to receive money internationally from anywhere with reasonable exchange rates”, she said.

Saving made simple

Like any student, Ruona loves when she has a little extra money to tuck away for when she needs it. This is something else Ruona uses Monese for to help her save.

My Monese account has definitely made my life easier as I also use it to save money.

With Monese, you can create up to 10 pots to save for more than one thing at a time. Plus, round up each transaction you make by up to 10 and send the difference to a chosen pot. You can even set up recurring payments to a pot, so you don’t have to remember to save. “My Monese account has definitely made my life easier as I also use it to save money”, said Ruona.

No extra paperwork needed

For Ruona, one of the things she struggled most with when she moved to Germany was all the paperwork and bureaucracy, especially when it came to opening a bank account.

It’s been about two years since I opened my account. I’ve been happily using Monese ever since.

That’s why when she learned of Monese, she was happy to discover that opening an account with us was simple, straightforward and didn’t require any extra paperwork or documentation just an ID. “It’s been about two years since I opened my account”, she recalled. “I’ve been happily using Monese ever since”.

I can do everything I would’ve done with a traditional bank account.

We’re all about simplicity and supporting people’s lives and major milestones, such as a move abroad. That’s why we’re always glad to hear stories like Ruona’s. On her Simple plan, Ruona can take advantage of up to €200 of free monthly ATM withdrawals worldwide, up to €2,000 of free foreign currency card spending and free and instant currency transfers to other Monese users.

“Monese meets all my financial needs here in Europe. I can do everything I would’ve done with a traditional bank account such as direct debit payments, among other things”, she said. “I can send and receive money internationally without any hassles, which are reasonably priced, and the app is easy to use. I would continue to use it in another country as well, should I ever leave Germany”.

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