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TWO COMPLAINTS AGAINST an online bank for using the word “bullshit” in an advertisement have been upheld by the advertising watchdog.
The Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) received the complaints about the German bank N26 which used the expletive as part of an outdoor advertising campaign.
The text of the ad read: “N26 The first bank you’ll love. The Mobile Bank #nobullshit. Open your free bank account…”
The advertisement was the subject of two complaints, after the complainants considered the reference to “bullshit” to be offensive and unnecessary.
In response, N26 claimed that the addressee of their #nobullshit message was not the consumer of the advertising itself, but rather outdated banking systems.
It said the campaign had been “very well received” by the public, saying it had evidence of this from social media activity from last summer.
However, the bank also said that from now on, its advertisements would adhere to the requirements of the Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications in Ireland.
They said that since last November, it had started a new #26reasons campaign in Ireland instead.
In considering the complaints, the ASAI noted that the campaign in question had ended and that N26 were willing to adhere to the requirements of the ASAI Code.
However, the authority’s complaints committee also noted that under the requirements of the Code, marketing communications should have a responsibility to consumers and society and should not use offensive or provocative copy or images to attract attention.
The committee considered that the impact of words in an advertisement could be influenced by the media used, and did not consider that the use of word “bullshit” was acceptable for out-of-home advertising.
The committee upheld the complaints under sections 3.3 and 3.20 of the Code, but said that because the advertisement was no longer running, no further action was required.
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Job done. I’d never heard of n26 until now. Excellent advertising. Probably their marketing department made the complaints.
@Motherofthree: I’ve been using them for a while now, definitely recommend. Account set up in about 10 minutes. great service, app is far superior to others and no fees!
Probably AIB & BOI that complained
@Motherofthree: Using n26 for almost three years, great bank, no fees, easy to set up, mobile app is amazing, can’t recommend them enough!
@Slava Cickinas: This comment was posted and liked twice the second i posted it, could be a companys bot or mroe likely another company trying to put em into disrepute
@Motherofthree: I’ve been using N26 since Ulster Bank introduced fees. Best mobile Banking app.
I think the people (all 2 of them )that made formal complaints about the use of the word Bull S h*t might need investigating, are they stable?
So two people were insulted by an ad campaign, it had to be investigated , reported and then we have to read and hear about it in the news, that’s the real BULL!
@Melina Roberts: I find it offensive and I wouldn’t want my kids reading/seeing any ads with BS in them
@Melina Roberts: I also am totally offended by the word bullsh#t. I will from now on use it in it’s past tense ” bullshat” as in the bull shat instead of sh#t. In Kerry it could refer to a bull sitting not shitt#ng.
@Stevie Doran: (Y)
@Melina Roberts: It bothers me more that the existing banks guilty of BS aren’t allowed to advertise their products as such. How else are we to tell them apart?
I got a n26 mastercard. Love it no charges. I’d say the 2 complains are from aib, an boi
this entire comments section is fishy
After having two lots of proof of address documents refused at an “Irish” bank I opened an N26 in minutes and had my debit card within a week…. Seriously….They are a no bullshlt bank!
There’s 2 more people who need to go and get a life (or a ride!). Offended by the word bullshit? Seriously??
Should be well more than 2 for complaints to be taken that seriously theyre on the news, this is just advertising for that bank now
@Lisa Rowe: Is that the sound of a penny dropping?
N26 are a German online bank. There are no bank charges for up to 5 ATM visits a month, and no charges on foreign currency purchases e.g. Amazon/eBay. Foreign currency transactions are also converted at the xe.com rate. This is the best bank account I’ve ever had. You can’t get paid your wages into there accounts though, even though European financial services competition law says that you should be able to do this.
@Fin: That s a pity which means you still need your Irish fee paying bank account
@Fin: Depends on the employer. Mine pays my wage into N26 account, even standing orders and DDs work no problem with Irish companies.
@Fin: You absolutely can get your wages paid in to an N26 account. Have had 3-4 employers over the past several years pay them in. That’s your employers talking bullsh*t lol.
@Piotr : Vodafone Ireland are the only company I know of that won’t accept their IBAN to setup a DD.
@Fin: Of course your wages can be paid in. Companies are legally obliged to accept N26 Iban number as its approved by irish banking regulator.
@Ciaran Farrelly:Correct. However you can simply provide N26 MasterCard as a payment method instead of DD
@Piotr : me too… Payroll were a bit flummoxed at the longer iban but got it set up no bother
I think the people (all 2 of them
I think the people (all 2 of them )that made formal complaints about the use of the word Bull S*** might need investigating, are they stable?
So two people were insulted by an ad campaign, it had to be investigated , reported and then we have to read and hear about it in the news, that’s the real BULL!
Never heard of this bank, the advert worked so.
@Bren Guiden: this whole comments section reads like an advert
How much credit are you allowed with the n26 card or is it just a debit card only?
@Negan Lucille: Debit only, but no nasty fees on fx purchases. Since my bank brought in extra charges on non euro credit card transactions I opened an N26 account as a supplementary option given it’s free. It is now attached to my paypal and I pay some GBP trans direct where the source is secure. Saving me a good few euro.
Load of Bullshit.
What’s the difference between this and Revolut?
If it hadn’t been for the fact that I’m already with them, I’d probably be setting up an account there now. :P
You have to watch your P’s and Q’s…….surely they knew something would come of this
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