PrivatKonto Aktiv

Frankfurter Sparkasse PrivatKonto Aktiv at a Glance

The PrivatKonto Aktiv is Frankfurter Sparkasse's upgraded current account for customers who want a credit card and digital extras alongside standard payment services. The bonus, target-group and overdraft-interest fields in the product database were not populated at the time of this research; the figures below therefore come from the savings bank's current offer page.

Account Maintenance Fee

The PrivatKonto Aktiv costs EUR 2.90 a month. No condition under which this fee is waived is listed on the offer page - unlike many direct banks, there is no way here to earn free account maintenance through, say, a minimum monthly deposit.

Free Credit Card in Year One

Instead of a classic cash bonus, Frankfurter Sparkasse offers a complimentary credit card (Mastercard or Visa Standard) in the first year with the PrivatKonto Aktiv. This is not a cash payout but a fee waiver: from the second year onward, the regular annual fee applies.

Cards and Their Costs

• Debit card (Sparkassen-Card): EUR 5 a year
• Standard credit card: free in year one, then EUR 36 a year
• Gold credit card: EUR 84 a year

ATM Fees

Within Germany, withdrawals are free at the roughly 20,000 Sparkasse ATMs; other ATMs charge EUR 0.45 per withdrawal. The offer page gives no information on fees for ATMs abroad.

App Features

The Sparkasse app lets you set up transfers and standing orders, check balances and pay bills by photo. Contactless payment is available via Apple Pay, and a built-in "Finanzplaner" automatically categorises transactions.

Who Is the PrivatKonto Aktiv For?

This account suits anyone who values a local Sparkasse relationship with a dense on-the-ground ATM network and is willing to pay fixed, predictable annual fees for account and cards rather than meeting a condition such as a minimum monthly deposit. Anyone wanting a credit card anyway benefits from the free first year.

Opening an Account

The account can be opened online via Frankfurter Sparkasse's website or at one of its local branches.

Pros and Cons

Verdict

The PrivatKonto Aktiv is a solid, though not free, current account with a dense local ATM network and a credit-card extra that is free in year one. Anyone who does not mind paying for the account and values a local Sparkasse presence gets a solid all-round package here - anyone looking to save should keep an eye on the card fees kicking in from year two.