I'm thinking of switching from Intesa to an online bank like N26 or Wise to save on fees, but I'm worried about not having a physical branch when I need one. For those of you who made the jump, are you happy with it? Especially for international transfers to Germany, how do you handle it?
It really depends on how you use the account, honestly 😅 If you mostly do online transactions and international transfers, online banks like Wise are convenient and cost-effective, especially for transfers to Germany where the exchange rates are good. The lack of a physical branch is only a real problem if you need to withdraw cash regularly or prefer talking to someone face-to-face; most people can handle everything from the app these days, but sometimes you still need a branch anyway (for example for more complicated issues or if you need an authenticated signature).
Plus consider that you could also keep both accounts: maybe the online one for international transfers and everyday transactions, and Intesa with just a minimum deposit for when you need the physical branch. It really depends on you 🚴♀️
If you're making transfers to Germany, Wise is literally made for that - the exchange rates are transparent and the costs are a fraction of what you pay at Intesa. But here's the thing nobody mentions: online banks work great for normal operations (withdrawals, payments), but if you need to deposit checks or do anything unusual, you're kind of stuck. I ended up keeping a basic account at Intesa for those rare cases and use Wise for everything else, but it really depends on how often you actually need a physical branch.
Online banks in 2026 aren't risky novelties anymore - millions of people use them every day, so that fear of not having a physical branch is more psychological than real. As others have already mentioned, Wise for transfers to Germany is really unbeatable on fees, but there's a practical side that matters: when you have problems or doubts, with an online bank you sort everything out via app or chat, often faster than waiting in line. The only place where a physical branch actually matters is if you need to deposit cash regularly - if you don't, you won't miss it.
What I'd do in your shoes is not make a complete switch. Open a Wise or N26 account for international transfers and to save on fees, but keep Intesa for now until you're sure. Once you see how it works, maybe after a couple of months, you can decide whether to actually close it. That way you risk nothing and you'll figure out how you get on without the anxiety of a permanent change.
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