Simple (bank) explained

Simple Finance Technology Corp.
Former Name:	BankSimple
Foundation:	in Brooklyn, New York
Founders:	Shamir Karkal Alex Payne Joshua Reich
Parent:	Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria
Location City:	Portland, Oregon
Area Served:	United States
Industry:	Financial services
Num Employees:	Over 300 (Nov 2015)

Simple (formerly BankSimple) was an American neobank based in Portland, Oregon. It was recognized as the first neobank and operated between 2009 and 2021.^[1]

The company provided FDIC-insured checking accounts to US citizens, but not to Permanent Residents, through a partnership with The Bancorp Bank before transitioning over to BBVA USA in 2016.^[2] It was part of the Allpoint network for surcharge-free access to ATMs.^[2]

In 2014, Simple became part of Spanish bank Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, one of the largest banks in Europe.^{[3] [4]} On May 8, 2021, Simple was closed, and remaining accounts began to be transitioned to BBVA checking and savings accounts.

History

What was initially known as BankSimple was founded in 2009 in Brooklyn by CEO Joshua Reich and CFO Shamir Karkal.^[5] The initial seed capital was provided by Jerry Neumann. In August 2011, the company raised $10 million from investors led by IA Ventures, Shasta Ventures and Dave McClure's fund 500 Startups. Later that month, the company moved its headquarters to Portland, where five of the company's 17 employees already resided.

The company launched in the summer of 2012 as a limited beta.^{[5] [6]}

By January 2013, the company had 20,000 customers and had processed more than $200 million in transactions.^[7] By July 2013, its customers had increased to 40,000 and total transaction values increased to greater than $1 billion.^[8] At year's end in 2013, Simple reported processing on average around 13 debit transactions per minute with an overall customer balance of $64 million.^[9]

On February 20, 2014, Simple announced it had been acquired by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA).^[3] Paying through its US subsidiary BBVA Compass.,^[4] BBVA acquired Simple for $117 million or about $1200 per customer.^[10] BBVA was also part of the initial venture funding; it originally became interested in Simple in 2011 when a co-founder of Simple criticized the technology of banks and their approach to customer service.^[11]

On May 14, 2018, co-founder Reich announced his plans to step down as the company's CEO.^{[12] [13]}

In February 2020, Simple announced that its automated, round up savings feature had saved customers 1.2 million dollars in less than 4 months since the feature was introduced.^[14]

On May 8, 2021, Simple was formally closed, and remaining accounts began to be transitioned to BBVA checking and savings accounts.^[15]

Business model

In contrast with traditional consumer banks, Simple had no physical branches.^[16] Instead, account-holders were issued Visa debit cards and had access to an online banking system accessible through Simple.com or mobile apps for Android or iOS. Simple earned revenue by collecting interest on customer deposits and through the collection of interchange fees.^[2]

Features

• Simple mobile apps became available for iOS and Android in May 2011 and January 2013, respectively.^{[17] [18]}
• Checks up to $9,500 USD were deposited through Simple's smartphone apps, or for any amount by postal mail or express courier. This amount that a customer is eligible to deposit at one time varies based upon length of time with the account had been open and number of checks previously deposited. All deposits were subject to a hold, regardless of customer status.
• A bill pay service printed checks and mailed them to specified recipients. Previously, Simple did not provide blank checks for customers, nor did it honor checks printed by a third party. However, in February 2018, a limited beta program was rolled out to specific customers which gave customers the ability to request free books of 25 checks via mail, with no fees associated with ordering or banking (i.e. returned checks or NSF fees). This program was in beta phase and was gradually rolled out to users throughout the first half of 2018. Simple’s “Bill Pay” service was shut down on July 9, 2019.
• Simple's online banking interface integrated hashtag searching, memos and location-based information for users' transaction history.
• Using the Goals feature, account holders were able to schedule automatic savings on a daily basis.
• Using the Expenses feature, account holders were able to schedule automatic goal allocations for the purposes of paying bills.

Controversy

After BBVA acquired Simple, it required non-citizens of the US to open Simple accounts at a BBVA branch rather than online. A federal lawsuit challenging this practice was filed in 2018. Chattopadhyay v. BBVA Compass Bancshares, Inc.. 4:19-cv-01541-JST. N.D. Cal.. 2019. https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.339889/gov.uscourts.cand.339889.42.0.pdf .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Matt Harris of Bain Capital Ventures on New York's Fintech Evolution, Friendliness to Vendors, and Failures in Regulation. June 1, 2021. NYC Founder Guide .
2. Web site: Simple: FAQ. live. Simple. https://web.archive.org/web/20210129064838/https://simple.com/faq. January 29, 2021.
3. Web site: The Next Chapter. Joshua Reich. February 20, 2014. Simple. February 20, 2014. December 8, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208054822/https://www.simple.com/blog/the-next-chapter. dead.
4. Web site: BBVA acquires digital banking service pioneer Simple. BBVA Compass. press release. February 20, 2014. February 23, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140223114531/http://newsroom.bbvacompass.com/BBVA-acquires-digital-banking-service-pioneer-Simple. dead.
5. Web site: The Beginning . Simple . July 25, 2012 . August 7, 2013. Joshua. Reich.
6. News: BankSimple is Now Just 'Simple' . TechCrunch . November 11, 2011 . February 12, 2013 . Jason. Kincaid.
7. News: A Financial Service for People Fed Up With Banks . The New York Times . January 9, 2013 . Wortham . Jenna .
8. Web site: One Year with Our Customers. Simple. July 15, 2013. August 7, 2013. Joshua. Reich.
9. Web site: Simple / 2013. Simple. December 30, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131230231750/https://www.simple.com/2013/. December 30, 2013. mdy-all.
10. David Wolman. The Bank and the Anti-Bank. January 26, 2015. The New Yorker. February 26, 2014.
11. News: William Alden. BBVA Buys Banking Start-Up Simple for $117 Million. January 26, 2015. NY Times. February 20, 2014.
12. Web site: Rogoway. Mike. Simple's founding CEO leaving Portland online banker after nearly a decade. OregonLive.com. The Oregonian. 14 May 2018.
13. Web site: Spencer. Malia. Simple co-founder and CEO stepping down. BizJournals.com. Portland Business Journal. 14 May 2018.
14. Web site: BBVA USA's digital offshoot Simple surpassed $1.2 million in auto savings. Green. Rachel. Business Insider. 2020-02-11.
15. News: Simple bank shutdown goes awry leaving customers without account access . Jacob . Kastrenakes . . May 9, 2021.
16. Web site: Can BankSimple Live Up To Its Name? . February 11, 2011 . GigaOm .
17. News: Banking substitute Simple releases iPhone app. The Verge. May 9, 2012. February 12, 2013. Adi. Robertson.
18. News: Simple's online-only banking app launches on Android. The Verge . January 15, 2013 . February 12, 2013. Adrianne. Jeffries.