Hong Kong’s first virtual bank opens its digital doors
Za Bank launches with incumbent-challenging interest rate.
Challenger Bank
UK challengers Revolut and Monzo combat claims they are going bust
Revolut dubs the claims “fake news”, and Monzo says it is “here to stay”.
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 20 March 2020
FinTech Futures’ weekly news round-up.
Square lands conditional banking licence from FDIC
The bank will be based in Utah.
Neobank for America’s middle-class One lands $17m Series A
The 40-person challenger has opened early access to its private beta.
US challenger Cogni to create lifestyle hub, starting with banking
The challenger wants to be the ultimate “operating system” for lifestyle.
Daon to provide biometric authentication for digital bank Tonik
Tonik was founded as Southeast Asia’s first digital-only bank.
UK challenger ikigai to launch flat-fee investment account
“I think the pain points are quite similar across different income levels,” says co-founder.
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 13 March 2020
FinTech Futures’ weekly news round-up.
SME challenger bank NorthOne raises $21m Series A
New York-based challenger plans to splash the cash on customer acquisition.
Credit Sesame launches new digital bank account Sesame Cash
A banking offering will engage customers beyond just improving credit.
Rizq launches in UK as Sharia-compliant challenger bank
Rizq plans to benchmark itself as close as possible to existing challengers.
San Fran money manager Empower Finance lands $20m Series A
“There’s growing demand in the market for financial knowledge to be more practical,” says CEO.
Standard Chartered unveils new Hong Kong challenger bank Mox
The bank’s card will be numberless to prevent fraud.
Family finance app Jassby raises $5m, anticipates $20m round later this year
CEO says rounds will drive fintech closer towards 1 million users within a year.
Tandem lands funding, tipped to buy “green” lender
The bank is set to announce “the acquisition of an established ‘green’ lending business”.
Challenger bank Copper latest to tap America’s teens
Copper is yet to reveal its launch date but has opened a waiting list to teens.
Banking Technology March 2020 issue out now
Keep calm and carry on: Where does COVID-19 leave the Chinese fintech market?
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 06 March 2020
FinTech Futures’ weekly news round-up.
US challenger Branch partners Cardtronics to offer fee-free ATM service
Minneapolis-based Branch expands fee-free network.
Dzing challenger bank launches beta in UK
It has been in the works since October 2018.
Starling Bank looks to Irish banking licence for European expansion
The challenger bank has been aiming for an Irish licence since last year.
ATB Financial’s digital bank Brightside launches in Canada
The neobank is focused on “making saving easy”.
How AWSM Bank plans to turn teenage financial literacy into a reality
The neobank is “very close” to its Q2 launch this year.
Canadian challenger Neo Financial plans 2020 launch
Neo plans a credit card and rewards-based savings.
Belgian challenger Aion hires CIO, preps flagship branch
Subscription-only bank continues development after 2019 launch.
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 28 February 2020
FinTech Futures’ weekly news round-up.
Monese set to make 30 employees into millionaires
This is expected after its next fundraise which will value the neobank at £1bn.
bunq CEO: “It’s a marathon not a sprint, we run our own race”
“I like to think of myself as a simple entrepreneur,” says Niknam.
UK fintech B-Social raises £7.8m ahead of ‘Kroo’ rebrand
The fintech has “significantly progressed” with its pre-application for a UK bank licence
Canada’s RBC to create US digital bank for “super-affluent” consumers
It will arrive in the US later in 2020 or early next year.
Revolut bags $500m from TCV to drive daily account usage
The challenger wants to “accelerate daily usage of accounts”.
JP Morgan plans launch of digital consumer bank in UK
The US bank has been in discussions with UK financial regulators.
US gets new challenger Level Bank by Zero creators
CEO Bryce Galen says the new venture has “the highest APY-deposit account in the US”.
Aussie challenger Hay launched by UK’s Shawbrook Bank ex-employees
The challenger is headquartered in New South Wales with offices in London and Belfast.
Pakistani challenger Sadapay preps 2020 launch
New mobile wallet will target Pakistan’s underbanked and freelancer market.
Metro Bank hires new director of technology and engineering
Sailesh Panchal joins the challenger from Orwell Group.
Video: Top fintech stories this week – 14 February 2020
FinTech Future’s weekly news round-up.
Moven and STC Pay plan challenger bank in Saudi Arabia
Moven founder announces new bank on social media.
FinovateEurope: Key takeaways
Sharon Kimathi and Ruby Hinchliffe explore the event’s top five themes.
