Please Don't Bank With Us - Hate has no place here

Pride is a feeling. It’s that breath taken just a bit deeper, that chin raised just a bit higher, it’s that stance taken just a bit firmer. And it’s crushed by hate.

That’s why I’ve asked N26 social teams to break our silence. To reply, and stand our ground, when the dark voices of the internet creep into what we have to say. What we stand up for. What we are proud of. When someone’s hate is shared as a vehement opposition to our values and beliefs, those folks should know that we are happy for them to bank elsewhere.

Let me give you a bit of context. N26 is one of the world’s youngest, fastest growing, and most dynamic banks. Across the globe, our people are building a future with better banking for a growing base of over 7 million customers. 

From the beginning, we’ve set about our mission to build the bank the world loves to use, with and for people from all walks of life, all corners of the world, all identities, sexual orientations, abilities, and cultures. Not only was this okay (duh!), it has made us stronger. Faster. Sharper. More creative. And perhaps most importantly, it has made us more aware, more curious, and it’s been more fun!

To celebrate our inclusivity and to educate teams and customers about the power of diversity, we are now taking an always-on approach to Pride. Yes, we kicked it off publicly during Pride month, but it’s something that has always been a part of who we are, and going forward it will be a permanent part of our brand. As we believe it should be—our way to celebrate, educate, and advocate.

Being a firm supporter and ally, I was disgusted to see how a minority of social media users reacted to some of our recent Pride initiatives. This ignorance, this bias, this hate is something which our teams had been quietly dealing with for a while. But we will not sit idly by. Those who feel that our values are so strongly opposed to theirs, should feel free to bank elsewhere.

That is why, as of today, we’ll be showing them the door. 

Though we are an inclusive bunch, and though we are building a better bank for the world at large, it has become clear that we are NOT building it for everyone. We stand against hate, abuse and discrimination in all its forms. So if you are offended by our views and values when it comes to diversity, allyship and yes—PRIDE—please feel free to bank elsewhere.

This is not marketing. This is our DNA.