Being in the C-suite is a high-pressure job with long hours, board responsibilities, and intense scrutiny. But what is it like to be a top executive when you’re off the clock?
Fortune’s series, The Good Life, shows how up-and-coming leaders spend their time and money outside of work.
Today, we meet Bianca Zwart, the 33-year-old chief strategy officer of Bunq, one of Europe’s fastest-growing digital banks.
Zwart’s story began with the simple decision to study Spanish at university.
“Not because it would lead to a specific job or boost my CV,” she tells Fortune. “I just wanted to do something I genuinely enjoyed. In a world focused on clear career paths and practical choices, it felt like a refreshing thing to do.”
Perhaps surprisingly, the experience led her to working at a bank straight after graduation—they needed multilingual staff. But the stint in the summer of 2015 opened her eyes to the reality of the industry: You’re making money out of other people’s money, so clients without large accounts are treated as “irrelevant” and those with money to their name are hounded.
After randomly hearing about Bunq, a more modern, user-first digital bank in a stand-up, the millennial searched for jobs there straight after the meeting and handed her notice in just weeks later.
That bold leap in 2016 took her from a frontline support job at a 30-person startup to the youngest chief strategy officer in European banking history.
Her ascent was swift and unorthodox: She went from team lead to head of PR to launching two of her own ventures, before boomering to Bunq in 2022 after “successful” exits.
Alongside founder Ali Niknam, Zwart has helped scale Bunq from an Amsterdam startup into Europe’s second-largest neobank, with over 700 employees and 17 million users on the continent. Over 20,000 people apply to work at the company every month. And Zwart’s role puts her at the center of this growth—with U.S. expansion next on her to-do list.
“Now, we’re scaling fast, aiming to build the first truly global neobank for people who live and work beyond borders,” the young exec says. And she’s herself become an example of living beyond borders, splitting her time between Rome and Amsterdam.
But wherever she is in the world, her routine stays consistent: She wakes up “ridiculously early” to work out, refuses to wear a watch (“I don’t need a ticking symbol of urgency strapped to my wrist”) and unwinds by learning new languages. She can already speak 5.
Zwart tries to take proper time off from it all, but admits it often results in just answering emails “from better-looking places.” But she thinks it’s part of the parcel of having a high-flying job.
“And honestly, I like it,” she adds. “For me, it’s less about switching off and more about switching perspective.”
The finances
Fortune: What’s been the best investment you’ve ever bought?
My Oura ring, which I quite randomly bought in NYC last year. I’m super disciplined, I love sports, and I’m always go-go-go—so having something that literally tells me to calm the **** down has been a game-changer. I’m still too stubborn to always listen, but I do take recovery more seriously now, and it’s made me smarter about how I train and rest.
And the worst?
An ab wheel for my home gym. Used it once, fell flat on my face. Pretty sure it was designed as a prank. Tiny wheel, no support, all the pressure on your lower back and none on your actual abs. Definitely not invented by someone who’s ever had abs… or empathy.
“Now, we’re scaling fast, aiming to build the first truly global neobank for people who live and work beyond borders.”Bianca Zwart, chief strategy officer of Bunq
What are your living arrangements like: Swanky apartment in the city or suburban sprawling?
I split my time between Amsterdam and Rome (plus whatever city I end up in for work). I thought I wanted more space, so I moved a bit further out of the city (it’s still just a 20-minute bike ride from the office). Turns out, I miss the noise. So I’m now looking to move back into the city of Amsterdam.
How do you commute to work?
Like a real Dutchie, I’m married to my bike. Rain or shine, we’re in this together.
Do you carry a wallet?
I get around just fine with my phone. Otherwise, it’s my Bunq metal card. The best part? With every €100 you spend, you help to plant a tree!
Do you invest in shares?
Yes, through multiple platforms, amongst which are Bunq stocks!
What personal finance advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
Compound interest is your friend. Start that business sooner rather than later.
What’s the one subscription you can’t live without?
Todoist. There’s so much going on every day, and it keeps it all out of my head. It’s basically my second brain. It’s worth every single cent.
Where’s your go-to wristwatch from?
I don’t actually wear a watch. Even without notifications, it still adds noise. It’s this constant reminder of how late you are, how fast the day is going. My brain already runs on deadlines—I don’t need a ticking symbol of urgency strapped to my wrist.
The necessities
How do you get your daily coffee fix?
I’ve got an Italian Moka at home. It’s a bit of calm and beauty at the start of the day, especially when everything else is already moving incredibly fast.
I love the Italian way of drinking coffee: a quick espresso at the bar, standing, no nonsense—pay 1 euro and you’re out. When I’m in Rome, I fully adapt to that. But when I’m in Amsterdam, I switch to a more “Northern-European” style: longer coffees, more milk-based, and usually something to-go.
What about eating on the go?
I probably love eating while continuing to work a bit too much. I’m a sucker for efficiency, so in Amsterdam I often eat on the go—grab something at the station and keep moving. In Rome, I slow down, sit down, and actually enjoy the meal.
In Rome, there’s this spot called Sano, più o meno (“healthy, more or less”). It’s a family-run place that makes fresh sandwiches, salads, and warm meals daily. The vibe is exactly what I need: more or less healthy, no pressure, good food. In Amsterdam, for a proper sit-down, my favourite is Zoldering.
Where do you buy groceries?
Albert Heijn, the store Dutchies love most. Or I order from Crisp, especially when I’m in between trips. Lately it’s been more like: one meal at home, then back to the airport.
That said, my favourite place to do groceries is actually in NYC when I’m there for Bunq. Brooklyn Fare is a dream—800 types of snacks I’ve never seen before, colour-coded shelves, everything perfectly arranged.
How often in a week do you dine out versus cook at home?
I eat out quite a bit—usually at least twice a week—but I also love cooking healthy stuff when I can. In Rome, it’s more common to go out for dinner during the week to catch up with friends or family, so I’ve definitely picked up that habit. It’s about the food, of course —but even more about being in the moment.
What would be a typical work outfit for you?
When I’m not speaking on stage: jeans, loafers, oversized shirts. We’re a real tech company—people wear whatever makes them feel comfortable.
The treats
How do you unwind from the top job?
Sports keep me sane. I’ve done them at a high level: Synchronized swimming, kickboxing, and now I run marathons. I usually work out in the morning (and get up ridiculously early), so after work I can actually hang out with friends and my dog, Nacho. I recently rekindled my love for Pilates, like half the planet apparently.
I also love learning new languages (I speak five, although to be honest, they start to blur after four—I just go with whatever language shows up in my brain mid-sentence). And I love reading, even if I wish I had more time for it. Right now, I’m in the middle of “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara – just a light, uplifting read… kidding. But it’s beautiful.
How do you treat yourself when you get a promotion?
I usually end up with a new challenge to tackle. That’s my version of a reward, something new to learn, build, or figure out. It keeps things interesting and keeps me moving forward
Take us on holiday with you, what’s next on your vacation list?
The Dolomites, Italy. Hiking during the day, spa in the evening. I’ve never been, so I’m really looking forward to it. After that, I’m off to Curaçao for a wedding. One of the perks of having lots of international friends: I get to turn their weddings into little adventures.
I’m all about exploring new places—there’s still so much out there I haven’t seen. No holiday home (yet); I like the freedom of staying on the move. I travel a lot for work too, so I’ll often bring a friend along and turn it into a mini adventure. Work during the day, explore the city at night—it’s a pretty good setup.
How many days annual leave do you take a year?
I do try to take proper time off, but in reality, I often just answer emails from better-looking places. It comes with the job (and honestly, I like it). I find that a change of scenery gives me fresh ideas and helps me stay focused. I’m not great at sitting still anyway. For me, it’s less about switching off and more about switching perspective.
Fortune wants to hear from leaders on what their “Good Life” looks like. Get in touch: [email protected]