Banks in Belgium Are Now Choosing Their Customers
Opening a bank account in Belgium is becoming harder as banks apply stricter criteria and sometimes require customers to buy extra products
It is becoming increasingly difficult to open a bank account in Belgium, as several banks are tightening their criteria for accepting new customers. Some institutions are now requiring applicants to purchase additional products, such as insurance or investment accounts, as a condition for opening a basic bank account. In other cases, applications are being outright rejected, with banks citing that the individual is not a ‘suitable customer’ according to their internal guidelines.
The banks are setting these requirements based on their own customer profiles and risk assessments, which means that different banks may apply different rules. This has led to confusion and uncertainty among people who are unsure whether they will be accepted or what they need to do in order to qualify for an account.
While Belgian law guarantees everyone the right to access basic banking services, many people and advocacy groups argue that the current practices are creating significant barriers. They believe that these selective policies amount to financial discrimination, as certain segments of the population find themselves excluded from essential banking services despite legal protections.
