Amsterdam based banking group ABN Amro (AMS:ABN) has announced that it has officially completed the acquisition of neobroker BUX. The acquisition of BUX, first announced back in December, was subject to regulatory approvals which have now been obtained, and the transaction has now been finalised.

BUX was founded in 2013 and is also based in Amsterdam. The company grew to be one of Europe’s leading neobrokers with 500,000+ clients, operating across eight markets. However after exiting the lucrative UK retail trading market, a failed CFDs brand launch (Stryk, out of Cyprus), and continuing losses, ABN Amro – one of BUX’s initial financial backers – stepped in to take over the company.

The parties have not disclosed the financial terms of the transaction.

The parties said that this strategic acquisition marks a significant step for both ABN AMRO and BUX in the retail investment space. Following the announcement of the deal in December 2023, ABN AMRO has now completed the acquisition, substantially boosting its digital offering, while BUX is gaining access to resources, investment expertise and support to continue its rapid growth and innovation. Recognising the rapidly evolving retail investment sector, this acquisition gives ABN AMRO and BUX a combined #1 position in the Netherlands for clients who want to start building their wealth. It also contributes to ABN AMRO’s growth ambition.

BUX is now a wholly owned subsidiary of ABN AMRO, and will continue operating as a separate entity. The brand will now proudly feature the endorsed logo, symbolising the strong backing and resources of a well-established bank.

Annerie Vreugdenhil, Chief Commercial Officer Personal & Business Banking at ABN Amro said,

“I am extremely excited that BUX has now officially joined the ABN AMRO family. We want to be there for our clients for every new beginning. In combination with BUX, we can help clients begin to take control of their financial future at an early stage in their lives. BUX has made this extremely easy through their innovative and user-friendly platform. We cannot wait to build on that and improve our offering for future generations.”

Yorick Naeff, CEO of BUX added,

“We are proud of the successful completion of this acquisition. We believe in prioritising the financial goals of our users and aim to make investing easier and more affordable for everyone. Through this collaboration, we combine ABN AMRO’s extensive expertise in personal finance and investing, and its years of experience with the capabilities offered by BUX’s accessibility, knowledge of future generations and user-friendly investment platform. This allows us to better serve the new generation of investors while maintaining our speed, agility and unwavering commitment to innovation.”

Joint vision and benefits for clients

Together, BUX and ABN AMRO said they aim to deliver a unique and comprehensive investment proposition. This collaboration is designed to support first-time investors with step-by-step guidance, while also offering more expertise and a broader portfolio for seasoned investors. Both ABN AMRO and BUX share a vision of becoming the leading provider of investment services for individuals, ensuring a seamless and enriched customer experience.

Clients of both ABN AMRO and BUX can look forward to innovative developments designed to enhance their investment journeys. Initiatives are underway to build bridges between the two platforms, improving accessibility and user experience for all clients.