Credit card fintech Pliant lands €18m Series A extension led by PayPal Ventures
The Berlin-based fintech now seeks to expand its cards-as-a-service product to markets beyond the EU.
Europe
UK fintech Wagestream bags £17.5m funding to expand its financial benefits offering
The fintech plans to launch a credit-builder card, loans and an AI-powered financial advice coach this year.
Klarna to launch credit card offering in the US “over the next few months”
The US is set to be Klarna Card’s fourth market of entry, following earlier launches in Sweden, Germany and the UK.
Leeds Building Society opts for Mambu core banking system in tech overhaul
The building society is to leverage its Mambu core to build new mortgage and savings products.
BNPL firm Laybuy reportedly on the lookout for new buyer to potentially go private
The New Zealand-based firm is currently listed on the Catalist stock exchange with a value of around $5.4 million.
Danish paytech Flatpay bags €45m in Series B funding
Following the recent fundraise, Flatpay’s valuation has now surpassed €100 million.
UK Finance engages Quant and R3 to support Regulated Liability Network experimentation phase
UK Finance says the experimentation phase of its Regulated Liability Network will run until summer 2024.
Project Nemo launches in the UK to boost disability inclusion in fintech
The initiative aims to arm the fintech sector with the resources and expertise to help build a more inclusive industry.
UK challenger Zopa scores £15.8m pre-tax profit for 2023 as IPO nears
Zopa says revenues climbed 29.7% “despite the challenging macroeconomic environment”.
German fintech start-up Finmid emerges from stealth with €35m in funding
The fintech claims it provides “a much-needed alternative to banks for European SMBs looking for financing support”.
Temenos review brands Hindenburg Research allegations “inaccurate and misleading”
Temenos’ board chair says the review “reinforces the board’s view that Temenos is running a sound business”.
Innovate Finance flies the flag for the UK’s fintech sector in return of global summit
IFGS 2024 is taking place in London this week, with fintech regulation and innovation high on the agenda.
UK government launches open finance taskforce chaired by CFIT
The industry-led taskforce will aim to “unlock the full potential of open finance”.
Avaloq co-CEO Thomas Beck to retire, Martin Greweldinger to become sole CEO
Beck will provide support to Greweldinger in a senior advisory capacity during the transition.
Germany’s Landesbank Baden-Württemberg taps Bitpanda to offer crypto custody services
LBBW will launch a pilot for its crypto custody services in the second half of 2024.
SC Ventures invests in UK ethical challenger Algbra
As part of the deal, Algbra has also partnered with SC Venture’s climate-focused savings platform, Shoal.
Stripe raises $694m through share sale to provide employee liquidity
The company had previously announced the tender offer to provide employee liquidity in February.
Navy Federal Credit Union agrees new seven-year partnership with Backbase
NFCU is “continuing to standardise” with the fintech’s engagement banking platform.
Newcastle Building Society partners Zest for employee benefits tech
The platform is set to strengthen the building society’s talent acquisition efforts.
Pomelo Group names Steve Vickers as new CEO
Vickers succeeds the firm’s co-founder Vincent Choi, who will join Pomelo’s strategic advisory board.
ICYMI fintech funding round-up: Mimo, TransferGo, Smartpay, Adro and more
A handy round-up of the recent funding endeavours of fintech companies across the globe.
EQT to sell data management tech firm Rimes to Five Arrows
The parties say they expect the transaction to close “in the coming months”.
Salt Bank makes digital debut in Romania powered by Starling Bank’s BaaS
The challenger has leveraged Starling’s BaaS platform Engine to power the launch of its digital offering.
Alisa Bank snaps up invoice financing fintech Puro Finance to bolster SME services
Puro Finance is expected to operate as a subsidiary of the bank upon closure of the deal in May.
Spendesk combines procurement with spend management through Okko acquisition
Spendesk claims it is the first solution in Europe to combine both spend management and procurement.
M&S and HSBC UK agree new seven-year partnership to enhance credit and payments offering
The partnership will be focused on “bringing together digital payments and loyalty for M&S customers”.
Santander to launch Openbank in the US this year
Openbank is currently live in Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Argentina.
UK fintech Gresham Technologies to be acquired by STG Partners for £147m
The acquisition is expected to close by the third quarter of 2024.
Revolut to launch operations in Mexico with new banking licence
The UK-based challenger will make its Mexican debut with money transfer services.
Kneip names ABN Amro Investment Solutions exec Elisa Alonso Sanz as new CEO
Sanz will succeed Enrique Sacau, who has served in the position since 2020.
UK’s FullCircl names Georgio Anastasi as new CFO
The CLI platform has gained a new CFO, COO, CRO and VP of product in two months.
UBS and SuMi Trust joint venture to acquire Credit Suisse wealth management business in Japan
The JV will absorb Credit Suisse’s Japanese advisor base and wealth management assets.
ECB names participants for new trials to explore settlement of wholesale transactions in central bank money
The testing will begin on 13 May this year, with the aim to explore several potential use cases.
Nubank partners Wise Platform to power new Global Account offering
The bank says its latest offering will be launched fully “in the coming weeks”.
HSBC to sell Argentinian banking arm to Grupo Financiero Galicia for $550m
The deal is expected to be finalised within the next 12 months.
UK paytech TerraPay handed MPI licence by MAS in fresh push for APAC expansion
TerraPay says it will leverage the licence to “strengthen existing and new partnerships” in the APAC region.
French fintech Linedata acquires AI software developer DreamQuark
Linedata says the purchase will extend its reach to the “critical sectors” of asset management, insurance and credit.
B2B BNPL fintech Hokodo lands €100m debt facility from Viola Credit
Hokodo says the financing will enable it to facilitate over €1.5 billion in B2B transactions over the next two years.
Worldline and Crédit Agricole unveil new merchant payments joint venture CAWL
The joint venture will offer payment acceptance and payment acquisition solutions for merchants in France.
CAB Payments to expand into the EEA after securing European PSP licence
CAB Payments Europe has been granted a PSP licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB).
