Noelse

About Noelse

Context and History of Noelse: From Telecommunications to Payment Services Noelse neobank is a major French fintech player whose history dates back to 1997. Founded by Philip Fournier and Eric Durand-Gasselin under the name Afone, the company first built its reputation in the telecommunications sector before pivoting to financial services. Noelse's headquarters are located in Angers, France, and the company now operates exclusively in electronic payment and digital banking services. For any questions, it is possible to contact Noelse by phone via the channels indicated in the application, as the neobank favors a digitized and efficient contact approach. The adventure begins in 1997 when Philip Fournier and Eric Durand-Gasselin create Afone with a focus on enterprise telecommunications. Two years later, in 1999, the company obtains its telecoms service operator license, enabling it to expand rapidly in the French market. In 2001, Afone is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange, marking an important milestone in the group's growth. This stock market listing allows the company to raise funds to finance its diversification and expansion. The shift toward card payments comes in 2004, with the acquisition of the company Carte et Services, renamed Afone Monetics. This strategic acquisition lays the foundations for what would become Noelse Pay. The following year, in 2005, the group further diversified its activities by launching a remote surveillance offering through the acquisition of Blokos. In 2007, Afone entered the mobile telephony market as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) through its subsidiary Afone Participations, distributing its offers in E.Leclerc stores under the Réglo Mobile brand. The year 2011 marks a decisive turning point: Afone launches its electronic payment activity by obtaining payment institution status accredited by the ACPR (Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution). The subsidiary Afone Paiement was created on this occasion. In 2013, the group launched ComNpay, a secure online payment solution for merchants. In 2016, the Afone group's consolidated revenue reached 50.64 million euros, confirming the company's solidity. The group's transformation accelerated from 2018 onwards. Afone sold its remote surveillance business Afone Sécurité to the Norwegian group Sector Alarm. In January 2020, the Afone stock was delisted from Euronext following a public tender offer. On May 18, 2021, Altice France announced the acquisition of the subsidiary Afone Participations, representing nearly 270 employees and 40 million euros in annual revenue. Philip Fournier retained the electronic payment business, which included approximately 180 employees, and unveiled a new online banking brand called Noelse. In February 2022, Afone Paiement officially became Noelse Pay. The parent company is now Noelse SA, domiciled in Luxembourg, while Noelse France SAS manages daily operations from Angers. Ownership remains family-held: the Fournier family holds approximately 63.9% of shares and the Durand-Gasselin family approximately 17.7%, guaranteeing long-term strategic stability. The Noelse phone is not a standard public number: contact is primarily made via the Noelse application or by email at support@noelse.com. Noelse entered the consumer market in June 2021, before completing its range with an offering dedicated to professionals. The stated ambition is to position itself halfway between online banking and traditional banking, offering a solution that is both mobile and human. The neobank aims to be transparent, fair, and responsible, with a strong promise: zero hidden fees. This philosophy is reflected in the brand's slogan, which presents itself as "the banking alternative that gives power back to its customers." The market targeted by Noelse is primarily individuals and professionals in France, with a particular emphasis on self-employed workers, micro-entrepreneurs, and small businesses. The company also targets people excluded from the traditional banking system, as Noelse account opening is accessible even to those with banking bans and people in over-indebtedness situations. This is a strong social positioning that differentiates Noelse from many competitors.