Below is a detailed analysis of FlowBank based on the requested criteria, using available information and critical evaluation. The analysis covers online complaints, risk level assessment, website security, WHOIS lookup, IP and hosting, social media, red flags, regulatory status, user precautions, and potential brand confusion, with a focus on the official website https://www.flowbank.com/.

1. Online Complaint Information ¶

Findings:

• Trustpilot Reviews (122 reviews as of 2023): Mixed feedback with significant negative reports. Users reported issues such as:
• Withdrawal Delays: Complaints about prolonged delays in withdrawing funds, with one user claiming an 8-week struggle to access money and no response from support. Some speculated about potential “Ponzi scheme” behavior due to non-delivery of promised transfers.
• Platform Instability: The mobile app was described as unstable, with users experiencing disappearing transactions, hidden charges, negative balances, and inability to sell certain positions (e.g., Grayscale ETF).
• Customer Service Issues: Slow or non-responsive support, with users noting unanswered emails and difficulty resolving issues.
• Glassdoor Employee Reviews (24 reviews as of 2024): Negative employee feedback highlighted a toxic work environment, micromanagement, low salaries, and “shady business” practices. Employees reported weak technology and high staff turnover.
• WikiFX and BrokersView: User reviews on WikiFX noted platform usability issues, withdrawal problems, and suspicions of scams. BrokersView flagged FlowBank for unauthorized investment services in Spain by the CNMV. Analysis: The volume and nature of complaints, particularly around withdrawal issues and platform instability, raise concerns about operational reliability. The lack of responsive customer service exacerbates distrust. Employee complaints about internal mismanagement and “shady” practices suggest deeper organizational issues that could impact client experience. The CNMV warning indicates regulatory non-compliance in certain jurisdictions.

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2. Risk Level Assessment ¶

Findings:

• ForexBrokers.com Trust Score (2025): FlowBank is rated “Do Not Trust” with a Trust Score of 58/99, primarily due to its bankruptcy proceedings and lack of additional regulatory licenses beyond FINMA.
• Bankruptcy Proceedings (June 2024): The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) initiated bankruptcy proceedings against FlowBank SA on June 13, 2024, due to insufficient capital to meet regulatory requirements. FINMA revoked FlowBank’s banking and securities dealer licenses, halting all trading and banking activities.
• Client Fund Risks: Clients with deposits exceeding CHF 100,000 (protected by esisuisse) face uncertainty, as payouts depend on liquidation outcomes. All clients must register claims with the liquidator, Walder Wyss AG.
• High-Risk Products: FlowBank offered complex instruments like CFDs, forex, and derivatives, with 74-89% of retail investors losing money due to leverage. Analysis: The bankruptcy and license revocation render FlowBank a high-risk entity. The inability to meet capital requirements suggests financial instability, and the halt in operations eliminates its ability to function as a broker. The high-risk nature of its products, combined with operational failure, makes it unsuitable for investment. Clients face significant counterparty risk, especially for uninsured deposits.

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3. Website Security Tools ¶

Findings:

• Privacy and Cookies Policy (FlowBank): FlowBank claimed to implement security measures, including:
• Encrypted financial transactions.
• Secure operating environments accessible only to authorized personnel.
• Identity verification to prevent unauthorized access.
• However, these protections do not apply to data shared in public areas (e.g., community websites), and internet transmission risks were acknowledged.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): FlowBank promoted 2FA and regular password updates to enhance online banking security.
• No Independent Security Audit Data: No recent third-party security audits or certifications (e.g., SSL/TLS strength, penetration testing) were found on the website or in public records.
• Website Accessibility (Post-Bankruptcy): As of June 2024, the website (https://www.flowbank.com/) primarily serves as an information portal for liquidation, with limited functionality. Analysis: While FlowBank outlined standard security practices (encryption, 2FA), the lack of transparency about specific protocols (e.g., SSL version, firewall details) and independent audits is a gap. The bankruptcy and operational halt mean that website security is less relevant, as no new transactions can occur. However, clients accessing the site for liquidation purposes should ensure secure connections (HTTPS) and avoid public Wi-Fi, as advised by FlowBank.

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4. WHOIS Lookup ¶

Findings:

• Domain: flowbank.com
• Registrar: MarkMonitor Inc.
• Creation Date: September 19, 2001.
• Updated Date: May 29, 2020.
• Expiry Date: September 19, 2023 (potentially renewed, but no updated WHOIS data post-2023).
• Registrant: FlowBank SA, Esplanade de Pont-Rouge 9, 1212 Grand-Lancy, Switzerland.
• Status: No indications of domain suspension or transfer as of last WHOIS record.
• Related Domain (flowbank.fr):
• Status: In “REDEMPTION” and pending deletion as of June 2022, indicating non-renewal or abandonment.
• Registrar: OVH.
• Registrant: Anonymous (restricted personal data).
• Flowbank.red: A separate domain registered with Namecheap, not affiliated with FlowBank SA, suggesting potential brand misuse. Analysis: The flowbank.com domain is legitimately registered to FlowBank SA, with a long history (since 2001), indicating stability prior to bankruptcy. The expired flowbank.fr domain and unaffiliated flowbank.red raise concerns about potential brand confusion or phishing risks, especially post-bankruptcy when scammers may exploit the brand. Clients should verify they are accessing https://www.flowbank.com/ for liquidation information.

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5. IP and Hosting Analysis ¶

Findings:

• IP Address (flowbank.com): 34.213.106.51, hosted in the United States (AWS, likely Amazon EC2).
• Flowbank.red: IP 162.255.119.204, hosted in the United States by Namecheap, using namecheap-nginx webserver. No traffic estimation data available, suggesting low activity.
• No Specific Hosting Issues Reported: No public records of hosting-related security breaches or downtime for flowbank.com prior to bankruptcy.
• Content Delivery: FlowBank’s website likely used cloud-based hosting (AWS), which is standard for scalability but introduces third-party dependency risks. Analysis: The use of AWS for flowbank.com is typical for financial institutions, offering robust infrastructure but no unique security guarantees. The flowbank.red domain’s separate hosting (Nameprog) confirms it is unrelated to FlowBank SA, reinforcing brand confusion risks. Post-bankruptcy, hosting stability is less critical, as the website’s primary function is informational.

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6. Social Media Presence ¶

Findings:

• Active Platforms (Pre-Bankruptcy): FlowBank maintained accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter, used for marketing and client engagement.
• Post-Bankruptcy Activity: No evidence of active social media updates after June 2024, as operations ceased. Accounts may still exist but are likely dormant.
• User Feedback on Social Media: Limited public data on social media complaints, but WikiFX noted FlowBank’s social presence as a positive feature for accessibility. Analysis: FlowBank’s social media presence was standard for a broker, but its inactivity post-bankruptcy aligns with the cessation of operations. Dormant accounts could be targets for impersonation or scams, so users should verify any social media communication against official liquidation channels (e.g., Walder Wyss AG).

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7. Red Flags and Potential Risk Indicators ¶

Findings:

• Bankruptcy and License Revocation: FINMA’s actions (June 2024) are the most significant red flags, indicating insolvency and regulatory failure.
• Regulatory Warnings: The CNMV (Spain) flagged FlowBank for unauthorized services, suggesting non-compliance in the EU.
• Suspicious Clone License: WikiFX reported FlowBank as a “suspicious clone” under FINMA, implying potential misrepresentation of regulatory status.
• Withdrawal and Platform Issues: Consistent user complaints about withdrawal failures, hidden fees, and platform errors indicate operational deficiencies.
• Employee Feedback: Glassdoor reviews citing “shady business” and weak technology suggest internal mismanagement.
• Brand Confusion Risks: Unaffiliated domains like flowbank.red and the expired flowbank.fr could be exploited for phishing or scams. Analysis: The combination of bankruptcy, regulatory warnings, and operational complaints constitutes severe red flags. The suspicious clone status and brand confusion risks further erode trust. These indicators collectively suggest FlowBank was unreliable even before its collapse, likely due to poor financial management and inadequate systems.

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8. Website Content Analysis ¶

Findings:

• Content Focus (Pre-Bankruptcy): The website promoted FlowBank as a Swiss bank offering forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, and derivatives, with MT4/MT5 platforms. It emphasized FINMA regulation, esisuisse deposit protection (up to CHF 100,000), and affiliation with the Swiss Banking Ombudsman.
• Risk Disclosures: Clear warnings about CFD risks (74-89% retail investor loss rate) and leverage were present, meeting regulatory standards.
• Post-Bankruptcy Content (June 2024): The website now focuses on liquidation information, directing clients to Walder Wyss AG for claims. No new client onboarding or trading is possible.
• Privacy and Security Claims: The Privacy and Cookies Policy outlined data processing for AML compliance, profiling, and marketing, with data retention for 10 years post-relationship. Data sharing with third parties (e.g., brokers, analytics providers) was disclosed.
• Language Limitation: The website was primarily in English, potentially limiting accessibility for non-English speakers. Analysis: The website content was professional and compliant with regulatory disclosure requirements before bankruptcy, but its English-only interface may have alienated some users. Post-bankruptcy, the site’s shift to liquidation information is appropriate but renders it irrelevant for new investors. The extensive data-sharing practices raise privacy concerns, especially for clients now dealing with liquidators.

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9. Regulatory Status ¶

Findings:

• FINMA Regulation (Pre-2024): FlowBank SA was authorized by FINMA as a bank and securities dealer, listed on FINMA’s authorized entities register.
• Bankruptcy and License Revocation (June 2024): FINMA revoked FlowBank’s licenses due to insufficient capital, initiating bankruptcy proceedings. FlowBank is no longer regulated or operational.
• Other Jurisdictions: The CNMV (Spain) issued a warning for unauthorized services, indicating FlowBank operated outside FINMA’s scope without proper EU licensing.
• Suspicious Clone Status: WikiFX flagged FlowBank as a suspicious clone, suggesting it may have misrepresented its FINMA license scope.
• Deposit Protection: Esisuisse insures deposits up to CHF 100,000 per client, but excess amounts depend on liquidation outcomes. Analysis: FlowBank’s prior FINMA regulation lent credibility, but its revocation due to insolvency is a critical failure. The CNMV warning and suspicious clone status suggest FlowBank may have overstepped regulatory boundaries, possibly misleading clients about its authorization scope. The loss of regulatory status eliminates any basis for trust.

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10. User Precautions ¶

Recommendations:

• Avoid Interaction: Do not attempt to open accounts or trade with FlowBank, as it is bankrupt and non-operational.
• Claim Registration: Existing clients should contact Walder Wyss AG (liquidator) at https://www.walderwyss.com/ to register claims, especially for deposits above CHF 100,000.
• Verify URLs: Only use https://www.flowbank.com/ for liquidation information. Avoid domains like flowbank.red or flowbank.fr, which may be phishing sites.
• Secure Access: Use secure, private connections (not public Wi-Fi) when accessing the website or submitting claims. Enable 2FA for any related accounts.
• Monitor Accounts: Regularly check bank accounts for unauthorized activity, as dormant FlowBank accounts may be targeted by scammers post-bankruptcy.
• Consult Advisors: Seek legal or financial advice before engaging with liquidators to understand claim prioritization and recovery prospects. Analysis: Given FlowBank’s collapse, user precautions center on protecting existing funds and avoiding scams. The liquidation process is the only relevant action for clients, but the risk of phishing and brand impersonation remains high due to FlowBank’s public profile.

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11. Potential Brand Confusion ¶

Findings:

• Unaffiliated Domains:
• flowbank.red: Registered with Namecheap, hosted separately, and not linked to FlowBank SA. Likely a speculative or malicious domain.
• flowbank.fr: Expired and in redemption status, previously registered anonymously via OVH. Could be re-registered by bad actors.
• Similar Brand Names: No direct evidence of competing brokers using similar names, but the generic term “Flow” could be exploited (e.g., Flow Traders, a Dutch firm, is unrelated).
• Post-Bankruptcy Risks: Dormant social media accounts and the FlowBank brand’s visibility increase the likelihood of impersonation scams. Analysis: The existence of flowbank.red and the lapsed flowbank.fr domain are clear risks for brand confusion, especially as scammers may capitalize on FlowBank’s bankruptcy to create fake websites or phishing campaigns. Clients must strictly verify URLs and communication channels to avoid fraud.

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12. Overall Assessment ¶

Summary: FlowBank SA, once a FINMA-regulated Swiss bank and broker, is now bankrupt and non-operational as of June 13, 2024, following FINMA’s license revocation for insufficient capital. Significant red flags include:

• Consistent user complaints about withdrawal delays, platform instability, and poor customer service.
• Regulatory warnings (CNMV) and a suspicious clone status (WikiFX).
• Employee reports of mismanagement and “shady” practices.
• Brand confusion risks from unaffiliated domains (flowbank.red, flowbank.fr). Risk Level: Extremely High. FlowBank is not a viable broker due to its insolvency and operational halt. Existing clients face risks of partial or no recovery for deposits above CHF 100,000, and all users must beware of phishing scams exploiting the FlowBank brand. Recommendations:
• Existing clients should engage with the liquidator (Walder Wyss AG) promptly to register claims.
• Avoid any interaction with FlowBank or related domains for trading or investment.
• Use only verified channels (https://www.flowbank.com/, Walder Wyss AG) and secure connections to mitigate fraud risks. Critical Note: The collapse of FlowBank highlights the importance of verifying a broker’s financial health, regulatory compliance, and operational reliability. The establishment narrative of Swiss banking security did not prevent FlowBank’s failure, underscoring the need for independent due diligence beyond regulatory claims.

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If you need further analysis or specific details (e.g., deeper WHOIS investigation, social media audit), please let me know!