Intesa Sanpaolo

If you plan to live in Italy or run a business there, opening a local bank account is essential. One solid option is Intesa Sanpaolo – one of the country’s top banks. It offers a wide range of services and makes the account-opening process pretty straightforward.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the bank’s background, what makes it stand out, and the available account types. Moreover, we explain how to open an Intesa Sanpaolo account online step by step. Keep reading to get the whole picture.

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History

The Beginning of the Bank

Intesa Sanpaolo was officially formed in 2007 after a major merger between Sanpaolo IMI and Banca Intesa. But the story actually starts earlier – back in 1998, when Cariplo joined forces with Banco Ambrosiano Veneto, paving the way for the bigger merger later on.

Between 2007 and 2013, the bank was in growth mode, steadily expanding its operations across Italy and beyond. A key moment came in 2014 when Intesa Sanpaolo acquired Cassa di Risparmio di Venezia and Banca di Credito Sardo, strengthening its regional presence.

In 2018, the bank initiated a bold expansion plan, merging with 10 additional institutions. Some big names included Mediocredito Italiano, Banco di Napoli, CR Pistoia e della Lucchesia, Cariromagna, and Banca Apulia.The Main Bank Services

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Services

The Main Bank Services

This Italian bank has something for everyone – whether you’re managing your personal finances or running a business. From daily banking needs to advanced investment options, here’s what they bring to the table:

Commercial Banking & Transactions. Whether you’re making local or international payments, managing cash flow, or looking for innovative capital solutions, Intesa Sanpaolo has you covered with advanced tools tailored to your business needs.
Investment Services. Need guidance on mergers, acquisitions, or entering equity markets in Italy or abroad? The bank provides expert advisory services to support your growth strategy.
Risk Management. Intesa Sanpaolo helps clients stay ahead in global markets with smart, personalized strategies for managing risk.

The bank is also committed to supporting ethical business and sustainability, providing companies with the tools to enhance their ESG performance.

Account Types in Intesa Sanpaolo

You can open an account with the Intesa Sanpaolo bank tailored to your needs. Here are some of the most popular options offered by the financial institution:

Digital Package

This account is ideal if you’re looking for everyday banking services, including unlimited ATM withdrawals and online payments through the app (with no limit on the number of transactions). There’s no minimum deposit required to open a Digital Package.

Basic Account

This account is a solid choice for anyone looking for essential banking services. You’ll be able to withdraw cash for free at over 9,000 ATMs in the network, use a debit card, receive your salary or pension, make payments, and safely store your money.

Start Package

Opening this account costs around 6 EUR per month, which covers account management, a debit card, and access to the mobile app. You’ll also get a basic 250 EUR overdraft; five SEPA credit transfers up to 50,000 EUR each, and three direct debit payments. On top of that, the account supports mobile payments via Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Package Plus

After you open this account with Intesa Sanpaolo, you will need to pay 13.50 EUR per month for its use. You’ll also receive a debit card, access to the mobile banking app, and an overdraft limit of up to 500 EUR. Plus, you can withdraw cash with no fees using your debit card, not just in Italy but also abroad – wherever the bank’s network applies. The account also includes standing orders and the ability to make recurring direct debit payments.

Senior Citizens’ Account

This account costs 2.40 EUR per month and includes a free debit card for fee-free cash withdrawals at ATMs within the network. Customers can set up monthly balance updates and transaction reports for their accounts. Additionally, pensioners aged 70 years or older can access an overdraft of up to 5,000 EUR. Mobile banking is also available for easy account management.

Savings Account

To open this account with Intesa Sanpaolo, you’ll need to make a minimum deposit of 25 EUR. The savings agreement is set for two years, after which you’ll need to renew it. The easiest way to save is by authorizing the bank to automatically transfer money from your current account to your savings account on a set day each month. You can choose the amount you want to transfer. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to make any other transactions from the savings account during this period.

Benefits

What Do You Get When You Open an Account With Intesa Sanpaolo?

Before opening an account with Intesa Sanpaolo, it’s a good idea to get familiar with what the bank offers and its key benefits. Besides a wide range of services, the bank has some real perks, like:

Expert advice from professional staff. You can rely on managers to help you manage your finances smartly.
Extensive network. You’ll have free access to over 9,000 ATMs, so taking out cash won’t cost you a thing. Plus, with user-friendly online banking, you can manage your money right from your phone – no need to step outside.
Convenient online banking. Customers can easily handle transactions through the mobile app without needing to leave their homes or offices.

Additionally, the bank employs advanced security measures and encryption to safeguard your funds.

Documents

Required Documents to Open an Account in Intesa Sanpaolo

Before opening a bank account, you’ll need to gather some important documents. First, you’ll need a valid ID, which can be your passport, driver’s license, or an EU national ID card. In addition, you must provide proof of your address in Italy.

This could be a utility bill, a residence permit, or a bank statement. Any official government document showing your Italian address will also work. Plus, you’ll need your Italian tax code.

If you’re not an Italian resident, you’ll need a recent entry stamp into Italy or another EU country, dated within the last 3 months. You’ll also need a valid visa for Italy or another Schengen country.

Steps

How to Open an Account in Intesa Sanpaolo?

Opening an account with this Italian bank won’t take up much of your time. You can even set one up without stepping foot in a branch. Simply visit the bank’s official website on the Internet, browse through the available account options, and select the one that best suits your needs. Then, follow these steps:

Click the “Open Account” button and fill out the application form. You’ll need to provide your details, including your name, surname, age, address, and place of work.
Attach clear photos of the documents we mentioned earlier in the article. Make sure all the information is easy to read.
Submit your application along with the photos and wait for verification. The bank specialists will check that your info is up-to-date, confirm you don’t have any criminal records, and verify other necessary details.

They may also ask you to send a photo of yourself holding your passport or another valid ID document for identity verification purposes. Additionally, a bank manager may call you to clarify some points. Overall, the account opening process usually takes about two to three business days but can sometimes stretch up to five or six business days.

Another way to open a bank account is by visiting a branch in person. Simply check the bank’s branch locator to find the nearest one to you and schedule your visit. When you get there, a bank manager will guide you step-by-step through the account opening process. Frequently, it’s very similar to the online procedure:

You’ll need to fill out a form with your details and provide original documents and copies.
After that, wait for your application to be approved.
Once your account’s set up, you’re good to go – you can use the mobile app, your debit card, and everything else the bank offers.

Just make sure you take your time with the application. Double-check your info and be clear on what the account includes. Be aware of any hidden fees and understand what you’ll be paying each month. That way, there won’t be any surprises down the line.

If you’d rather not deal with opening the account yourself – or can’t make it to a branch – no worries. Our team can help you with account opening. Just let us know what you need, and our legal experts will handle the whole process as quickly as possible.