According to the report issued by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), it stands out that there are currently around 2.7 million Colombian immigrants in Europe, with Spain being home to 1.5 million of them. Of this group, more than 1,000 Pereirans and Rirasaldenses are in a complicated situation due to their irregular immigration status, preventing them from opening a bank account in the country.
Thinking about solving this problem and benefiting all Pereirans and Rirasaldenses living in Europe, who, because they do not have an up-to-date residence certificate, cannot access traditional banking services or who, in other cases, have to pay commissions. very expensive to create a savings account, a Colombian entrepreneur created the first neobank for Latin and Colombian immigrants in Europe. This is Harold Correa, who invented Íkualo, a financial center that already operates in Spain and in just under three months it will do so throughout the United Kingdom.
The Íkualo application allows any immigrant from this department in Europe to download the application on their cell phone or tablet with an internet connection. In less than 72 hours, you will be able to create a virtual account for free using only your current passport. This account offers various functionalities, including sending money, obtaining a debit card in a maximum of 3 days, access to microcredits, international transfers, bill payments and repatriation insurance, prepaid cell phone recharges, purchases of health products. supermarket with delivery to your country of origin in less than an hour, and the possibility of processing mortgage loans for the purchase of a home.
Starting in June 2024, users will also have access to low-amount credits, ranging between 50 and 3,000 euros, as long as they are not reported in risk centers. To open a bank account in Íkualo, the neobank only requires three requirements: residing in Europe, having an up-to-date passport and passing a brief identity verification process (KYC – “Know Your Customer”), which does not exceed 7 minutes. , according to Correa.