Hi there
for those of you who have experienced the dreadful service of Paraguay banks, or for those of you who are trying to open a bank account in Paraguay,
here is my recent experience with the UENO bank - ueno - Banco Digital . UENO calls itself "El banco para todos" meaning bank for all. Let me show you how it actually worked for me.
I used to have a basic savings account in Vision bank, and they ended up being acquired by UENO last year. I already had a negative experience with Vision. Having been assured that they allow transfers from abroad, I tried to transfer a small amount of money ($100) - and surprisingly it worked. However, attempts #2 ($1,000) and #3 and #4 (both $100) were all rejected without any explanation at all and the people in VIsion just said they are sorry but international bank transfers are complicated.
Once UENO bought Vision, they demanded that the clients of Vision download their (UENO) app to keep on using the services. And here is the problem #1. Even though I bought my phone in Paraguay, my Google Pay is tied up to my Canadian credit cards, so UENO - in its infinite wisdom - blocked the download telling me that I am not eligible to download their app. Never mind that other Paraguay (and non Paraguay) banks have no such restrictions, but UENO does.
So I kinda gave up on Vision (UENO) bank, and did not really do anything with this particular bank account for a year or so, until I needed to make a payment to a supplier who - as it happens - had an account in UENO bank.
I stopped by a branch and the troubles began. First, they demanded a facial scan to even enter a branch. No scan, no entry, and there is nothing you can do about it. No choice here.
At least I got the transfer done quickly and without problems (thank you UENO).
The problems started shortly afterwards. I asked that they replace my old Vision card with the UENO one so I can keep on using the account.
However, the only way to order a new card is - you guessed it - through their app. No app no service.
I had asked to speak to their senior tech person to understand the reasons for their decision to geofence the app download and to see if I can make them see error of their ways - but no. "We are not willing to share our technology secrets (Side note: What secrets??) with general public". Well, as a bank client, I am not sure if I qualify as general public, but the message was clear - you get our app, or we do not talk to you.
And by the way if your phone is not up-to-date UENO will not let you download their app. So the bank, that advertises itself as "banco para todos" - bank for all - is for "all" only if you
- subject yourself to a face scan
- have an approved cell phone (i.e. geolocation Paraguay)
- the phone has to be up to date
- you have to download and use the app to be able to use the account. To put it bluntly - UENO is marching towards the 100% Digital ID path
- and do not question our decisions
In other way, it is only a bank for those who comply. Not for me. I will not support bank that enforces this degree of invasion of privacy.
So in the end I had thanked the bank manager for excluding a large number of Paraguay clients from his service, suggested he find a way how to go to hell, and closed my account.
Any questions or anyone else having an experience with UENO bank, would love to hear them.
Cheers and have a wonderful day.
for those of you who have experienced the dreadful service of Paraguay banks, or for those of you who are trying to open a bank account in Paraguay,
here is my recent experience with the UENO bank - ueno - Banco Digital . UENO calls itself "El banco para todos" meaning bank for all. Let me show you how it actually worked for me.
I used to have a basic savings account in Vision bank, and they ended up being acquired by UENO last year. I already had a negative experience with Vision. Having been assured that they allow transfers from abroad, I tried to transfer a small amount of money ($100) - and surprisingly it worked. However, attempts #2 ($1,000) and #3 and #4 (both $100) were all rejected without any explanation at all and the people in VIsion just said they are sorry but international bank transfers are complicated.
Once UENO bought Vision, they demanded that the clients of Vision download their (UENO) app to keep on using the services. And here is the problem #1. Even though I bought my phone in Paraguay, my Google Pay is tied up to my Canadian credit cards, so UENO - in its infinite wisdom - blocked the download telling me that I am not eligible to download their app. Never mind that other Paraguay (and non Paraguay) banks have no such restrictions, but UENO does.
So I kinda gave up on Vision (UENO) bank, and did not really do anything with this particular bank account for a year or so, until I needed to make a payment to a supplier who - as it happens - had an account in UENO bank.
I stopped by a branch and the troubles began. First, they demanded a facial scan to even enter a branch. No scan, no entry, and there is nothing you can do about it. No choice here.
At least I got the transfer done quickly and without problems (thank you UENO).
The problems started shortly afterwards. I asked that they replace my old Vision card with the UENO one so I can keep on using the account.
However, the only way to order a new card is - you guessed it - through their app. No app no service.
I had asked to speak to their senior tech person to understand the reasons for their decision to geofence the app download and to see if I can make them see error of their ways - but no. "We are not willing to share our technology secrets (Side note: What secrets??) with general public". Well, as a bank client, I am not sure if I qualify as general public, but the message was clear - you get our app, or we do not talk to you.
And by the way if your phone is not up-to-date UENO will not let you download their app. So the bank, that advertises itself as "banco para todos" - bank for all - is for "all" only if you
- subject yourself to a face scan
- have an approved cell phone (i.e. geolocation Paraguay)
- the phone has to be up to date
- you have to download and use the app to be able to use the account. To put it bluntly - UENO is marching towards the 100% Digital ID path
- and do not question our decisions
In other way, it is only a bank for those who comply. Not for me. I will not support bank that enforces this degree of invasion of privacy.
So in the end I had thanked the bank manager for excluding a large number of Paraguay clients from his service, suggested he find a way how to go to hell, and closed my account.
Any questions or anyone else having an experience with UENO bank, would love to hear them.
Cheers and have a wonderful day.
