# Experience & Timeline: Redeeming Optimize/IMGA and Closing Bison Bank **URL:** \ **Category:** Portugal Golden Visa\ **Tags:** banking, golden-visa, imga\ **Created:** [June 26, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/experience-timeline-redeeming-optimize-imga-and-closing-bison-bank/77925 "2026-06-26T18:14:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rsade](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@rsade](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/rsade)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/experience-timeline-redeeming-optimize-imga-and-closing-bison-bank/77925/1 "2026-06-26T18:14:22Z")
I recently withdrew my PGV application and wanted to share my timeline for liquidating my investments and closing my accounts. After waiting a few months for my investments to pass the one-year mark, I contacted my lawyer to get points of contact for [Optimize](https://nomadgate.com/go/optimize-fund?source=forum) and [Bison](https://nomadgate.com/go/bison-bank?source=forum). I never heard back, typical I guess! I ended up searching through my old emails and found my original contact, Nuno. He was very responsive and connected me directly with an account manager. The process was very smooth. Here is how the timelines broke down: [IMGA](https://nomadgate.com/go/imga-portugal-fund?source=forum) Redemption: The entire process took about 1 week after finalizing the form. [Optimize](https://nomadgate.com/go/optimize-fund?source=forum) Redemption: You can start this process online. The funds were transferred to my [Bison Bank](https://nomadgate.com/go/bison-bank?source=forum) account after 5 business days. Transferring Funds ([Bison](https://nomadgate.com/go/bison-bank?source=forum) to [Wise](https://nomadgate.com/go/wise)): Took only 1 business day after confirmation through customer support. Closing [Bison](https://nomadgate.com/go/bison-bank?source=forum) Account: A straightforward and easy process via [Bison](https://nomadgate.com/go/bison-bank?source=forum) secure chat. Final Thoughts: Goodbye PGV! While the exit logistics were surprisingly painless, the program itself was deeply disappointing. Between the constant delays and the broken promises regarding timelines, it just wasn’t worth the headache anymore. Happy to close this chapter and walk away. I hope the rest of you have better luck with the program. Wishing you all the best! ---
**Author:** ![kay](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@kay](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/kay)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 12:36am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/experience-timeline-redeeming-optimize-imga-and-closing-bison-bank/77925/2 "2026-06-27T00:36:20Z")
This was unsatisfyingly anticlimactic and suspiciously free of obligatory Portuguese style bureaucratic problems (lawyer ghost, while standard, isn’t enough on its own to count). I’m kidding of course. Glad to hear it went pretty smooth and wish you all the best wherever your journey takes you! ---
**Author:** ![gampaberlin](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/ee7513/32.png) [@gampaberlin](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/gampaberlin)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/experience-timeline-redeeming-optimize-imga-and-closing-bison-bank/77925/3 "2026-06-27T23:08:00Z")
Congratulations, I know a handful of people who have done the same and are better for it. I have someone in my network who got so pissed off that he sold all of his additional investments in Portugal as well. We are considering doing the same at this point, not even because of the PGV delays and issues, but the atmosphere in the country is slightly different than it once was. Maybe it’s just been with time or things are changing, but there’s an unease in the air, its subtle and I don’t know if other people are noticing it but either way once you notice it there’s no un-noticing it. ---
**Author:** ![RidleyQLero](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@RidleyQLero](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/RidleyQLero)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 12:26am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/experience-timeline-redeeming-optimize-imga-and-closing-bison-bank/77925/4 "2026-06-28T00:26:43Z")
What about all the B.S. we heard about Portuguese culture and natural rights and great heritage?? Where are all those scoundrels who used this to hoodwink unsuspecting victims into their fraud? They certainly aren’t piping up now!! ---
**Author:** ![alexquebec54](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/5fc32e/32.png) [@alexquebec54](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/alexquebec54)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/experience-timeline-redeeming-optimize-imga-and-closing-bison-bank/77925/5 "2026-06-28T17:52:51Z")
lol I am so confused why you ask your layer to do this? I am even more lost why you are asking a former employee to help? Finally, I am perplexed why couldn’t you contact [Optimize](https://nomadgate.com/go/optimize-fund?source=forum) directly via your online account for via their public contact information 😄 I am dying to know more. What happened?! ---
**Author:** ![rsade](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@rsade](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/rsade)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2026, 11:47am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/experience-timeline-redeeming-optimize-imga-and-closing-bison-bank/77925/6 "2026-06-29T11:47:31Z")
I had a great relationship with my lawyer until I decided to withdraw my application. I even helped him with some of his clients in the US. But things changed and he disappeared! Anyway… You’ll get a better response by finding your account manager at [Bison Bank](https://nomadgate.com/go/bison-bank?source=forum). I tried contacting the [Optimize](https://nomadgate.com/go/optimize-fund?source=forum) point of contact on my online account, but I didn’t hear back. The easiest way is to request the redemption online. Hope this helps..