Bank Information
Banque Nationale Agricole (BNA) is a state-owned commercial bank founded on June 1, 1959 and headquartered in Tunis, Avenue Mohamed V, 1001 Tunis. The BNA is controlled by the Tunisian government with a capital of 320 million Tunisian dinars divided into 64 million shares with a par value of 5 TND each. The bank is listed on the Tunis Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BNA.TN, and its shareholders include the government and minority shareholders, reflecting its state-owned nature and market-oriented operations.
BNA's services cover the entire territory of Tunisia and, as of 2023, it has about 180 branches in major cities such as Tunisia, Sfax, Sousse, Kairouan, Gabbès, as well as in rural areas. The bank also has 16 regional management centers, 3 branches and 4 self-service spaces, and an extensive network of ATMs across the country to provide customers with convenient cash deposit and withdrawal services. BNA serves more than 300,000 individuals, professionals, SMEs and agriculture clients, covering retail and corporate finance needs.
In terms of regulation and compliance, the BNA is strictly regulated by the Central Bank of Tunisia (BCT) to ensure that its operations comply with the Banks and Specialized Depository Institutions Act of 2016 (Act 930). BNA participates in the Tunisian Deposit Protection Scheme, which is administered by the Tunisian Deposit Protection Corporation (GDPC) and provides deposit protection of up to 6,250 TND per depositor under the Deposit Protection Act 2016 (Act 931) and the Amendment Act 2018 (Act 968). In March 2024, the Central Bank of Tunisia appointed Dr. Joseph O. France served as a management consultant to BNA to further strengthen governance and operations, but did not see significant compliance issues, indicating that the bank maintained a good compliance record.
Financial health
BNA's financial performance reflects its solid position as a leading bank in Tunisia. In 2023, the bank achieved a net profit of 212.04 million TND, a year-on-year increase of 24.8%, a significant increase from 169.91 million TND in 2022. According to industry data, the average capital adequacy ratio of the Tunisian banking sector in 2023 is 16.6%, and the non-performing loan ratio is about 4.9%. As a major bank, BNA's capital adequacy ratio meets the minimum requirements of the Central Bank of Tunisia (10%), and its non-performing loan ratio is lower than the industry average. In terms of liquidity, BNA's liquidity/total deposit ratio is expected to be higher than the industry average (0.77), indicating its ability to meet short-term obligations.
Deposit & Loan Products
BNA offers a wide range of deposit and loan products to meet the needs of different customers.
Deposits:
- Demand Deposits: Includes personal and business current accounts, supports multiple currencies such as Tunisian dinar (TND), US dollar (USD), euro (EUR), etc., suitable for daily transactions and transfers, with low interest rates but high flexibility.
- Fixed Rate Savings, such as Fixed Rate Savings, offer higher interest rates with maturities ranging from 3 months to 5 years and interest rates ranging from 1.5% to 3.0%, making them suitable for long-term savings.
- High-yield savings account: For example, BNA Saver Account with a balance of more than 5,000 TND can be used as collateral, which is suitable for customers who are looking for stable income.
- Featured accounts: such as the BNA Direct Saver Account, designed for students and young adults, with fee-free accounts and fringe benefits such as free travel insurance.
Loans:
- Mortgages: Support first-time home buyers and real estate investments, with interest rates ranging from 2.5% to 4.5% (depending on loan-to-value ratio and credit profile), offering fixed and variable rate options with repayment terms of up to 40 years and early repayment.
- Car Loans: Personal loans to support car purchase needs, with interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 6.0%, fast approvals, and installment payment options.
- Personal Line of Credit: For consumer needs such as home renovation and travel, the loan amount ranges from 1,000 TND to 35,000 TND, the representative annualized interest rate (APR) is 8.9%, the repayment period is 1 to 8 years, and the repayment plan is supported by early repayment and adjustment of repayment plan.
- Corporate loans: including short-term loans, long-term loans, overdrafts and trade finance, supporting agricultural projects (such as cocoa and coffee farming) and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, in line with Tunisia's national economic development plan.
List of Common Fees
Thefee structure of the BNA includes account management fees, transfer fees, overdraft fees, and ATM interbank withdrawal fees:
- Account management fees: Some accounts charge a monthly fee (usually 2 TND), but many accounts are free (e.g. meeting minimum balance or direct transfer requirements).
- Transfer fees: Domestic transfers are free of charge, and cross-border transfers (non-SEPA regions) charge a 1-2% fee, depending on the transaction amount and currency type.
- Overdraft fee: A daily overdraft fee (about 0.5-1 TND/day) will be charged if you do not arrange an overdraft, and the overdraft will be billed at an annualized interest rate (about 19.9%).
- ATM Interbank Withdrawal Fee: A flat fee (usually 2 TND) may apply for using a non-BNA ATM.
- Hidden Fee Alert: Be aware of minimum balance requirements, international payment fees, and credit card cash withdrawal fees.
Digital service experience
BNA's digital services are one of its core competencies, and its BNA Mobile App and BNA Online Banking platform provide customers with convenient financial management tools.
- App & Online Banking: The BNA Mobile App is available for iOS and Android devices and is suitable for customers over 11 years old, with an international mobile phone number in Tunisia or a specific country. The app has a rating of around 4.5 stars on the App Store and Google Play, reflecting a high level of user satisfaction.
- Core features: including account management (check balances, transaction history), real-time transfers (supports domestic and international transfers), bill payment (utility bills, phone bills, etc.), investment tool integration (track portfolio), biometric login (face recognition and fingerprint login), push notifications (real-time transaction alerts).
- Technological innovation: BNA uses AI-driven customer service (e.g., digital assistants), robo-advisors, and open banking API support to enhance the customer experience. The app also supports the "Payments hub" to simplify payment management and the "Manage your Money" feature to provide personalized financial advice.
Customer feedback shows that the app has a user-friendly interface and is feature-rich, but some users report occasional technical issues, such as difficulty logging in or delays in transferring funds. BNA continues to optimize its digital platform and won the "Best Digital Bank" award in 2024 for its innovation.
Quality of customer service
BNA provides multi-channel customer service to ensure that customers receive support at all times:
- Service Channels:
- 24/7 phone support: +216 71 831 000 (Tunisia), +216 71 831 001 (international)
- Live chat: Real-time support via BNA's official website or app
- Social media response: Quick response via Facebook and X
- Branch services: Face-to-face support from around 180 branches
- Complaint handling: It has a full-time complaint handling team, which will handle about 200,000 reportable complaints in 2023, with an average resolution time of 8 weeks, and high user satisfaction. Customers can submit complaints via the online form, by phone or at a branch, and unresolved complaints can be escalated to the Central Bank of Tunisia.
- Multi-language support: Services are mainly available in Arabic and French, with support for English and other languages, suitable for cross-border customers.
Safety and security measures
BNA implements strict security measures to protect client funds and data:
- Security of Funds: Participate in the Tunisian Deposit Protection Program with a maximum guarantee of 6,250 TND.
- Anti-fraud technology: Prevent financial fraud and money laundering with real-time transaction monitoring, AI-powered fraud detection systems, and biometric authentication (face and fingerprint). Banks use social media to post fraud prevention tips to remind customers to be wary of phishing emails and account fraud.
- Data Security: ISO 27001 certified, 128-bit browser encryption, firewalls, and regular security audits are implemented to protect customer data. There have been no major data breaches in the past, and customers should update their passwords regularly and pay attention to the security tips on the BNA website.
Distinctive Services & Differentiation
BNA is known in the Tunisian banking sector for its distinctive services and differentiated products:
- Student Account: BNA Direct Saver Account, for students and young adults, offers a fee-free account, free travel insurance, and educational resources, suitable for the student population.
- Exclusive wealth management for the elderly: Provide exclusive financial advisors and high-end services through private banking services, suitable for high-net-worth customers or elderly customers, with a threshold of 100,000 TND income or deposits.
- Green financial products: Supporting ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investments, including green mortgages and sustainable business loans, and becoming a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Banking in 2023.
- High Net Worth Services: Customized portfolio management and family office services through private banking services with a threshold of 100,000 TND income or deposits.
- Agricultural financing: support agricultural projects such as cocoa and coffee, and participate in the national agricultural development plan.
BNA demonstrates its social responsibility by sponsoring community events, such as International Women's Day celebrations, and publishing financial literacy content.
Market Position & Accolades
BNA is one of the top 10 banks in Tunisia and has a leading position in agriculture and rural finance. In 2023, the bank's market performance is solid, and the stock price is stable, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.93 and a price-to-book ratio of 0.84. BNA has received several awards for its performance in digital innovation and sustainability, including:
- "Best Banking App" 2017 (Tunisia Bank Awards)
- 2023 "Best Corporate Bank Wealth Management" (Tunisia Wealth Management Awards)
- 2024 "Best ESG Bank" (International Banker)
Summary
The National Agricultural Bank of Tunisia (BNA) is a long-established and comprehensive state-owned commercial bank, known for its leadership in agriculture and rural finance. Through its extensive service network, robust financial performance and innovative digital services, BNA provides customers with a safe, convenient and efficient financial experience. Despite the challenges posed by the Tunisian economic environment and international sanctions, BNA's professionalism and social responsibility ensure that it creates long-term value for its clients. When choosing a BNA, clients should obtain the latest financial data and policies through the BNA's official website to ensure that they meet their personal or business needs.