Atom Bank taps investors for cash as it targets IPO February 25, 2021 Digital challenger Atom Bank is looking to raise £40m from existing investors as it targets an IPO in the next few years. The neobank Atom is confident it will move to profitability from its mortgage and business lending “within a year”. The optimism contrasts with its fintech peers which have faced difficulties since the outbreak [...]
Rio Ferdinand invests in ‘Spotify of overseas payments’ app Sokin February 25, 2021 Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand is dipping his toe into the fintech world investing in a new overseas payments app launching this summer. He spoke to City PM about why the partnership with Sokin is in large part because of his experiences through childhood and what he’s learned about investment. The ‘Spotify of payments’ Sokin, [...]
Transferwise rebrands to Wise ahead of London listing February 22, 2021 A decade after its launch Transferwise has rebranded to Wise ahead of its long-awaited IPO. The fintech, which was most recently valued by private investors at $5bn, has come a long way since its launch in 2011 when it initially offered money transfers. It says the new moniker reflects its growth. “Today our name catches [...]
UK to unveil new visa scheme for fintech workers February 21, 2021 Rishi Sunak will reportedly unveil a new UK visa scheme to help London’s fintech firms attract more global talent in the wake of Brexit. The new visa fast track scheme will give priority access to professionals in the tech industry to live and work in the UK as a part of the country’s new post-Brexit [...]
“Some challengers don’t want to make a profit” says Cashplus boss February 19, 2021 With plans to raise external investment and a new chairman in tow, challenger bank Cashplus is going full steam ahead just weeks after securing its full banking licence. Earlier this month the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) granted Cashplus a full banking license. Like its digital peers, Cashplus offers current accounts for UK SMEs, currently serving [...]
UK businesses eye fintech sector to help drive profitability February 18, 2021 A growing number of UK businesses are looking to the burgeoning fintech sector to help boost profits post-Brexit. Britain’s payments startups have seen renewed interest during the pandemic as consumers and businesses pivot online. A third of senior managers surveyed by cybersecurity firm ESET are prioritising improved efficiency and may opt to implement fintech solutions [...]
Exclusive: Brewin Dolphin’s CEO on Brexit, pandemic market sentiment and why ESG is not so clear-cut February 18, 2021 As the City comes to terms with a new post-Brexit reality and slowly looks towards a post-pandemic recovery, City A.M sits down with the CEO of one of the Square Mile’s best-known investment managers, Robin Beer of Brewin Dolphin. Beer, who joined the firm in 2008, initially managed the Nottingham office and was regional director [...]
Big tech must do more on financial fraud, Starling boss says February 11, 2021 The chief executive of Starling Bank, Anne Boden has accused social media platforms of supporting financial fraudsters. “A vast number of people in the world at present are being scammed… some of that scamming is being supported by big tech because they’re hosting these scams,” Anne Boden said. “The world is moving faster and [...]
Tickr: We don’t want to be a socks and sandals, preachy investment platform February 10, 2021 Everyone has something to say about ESG or “impact” investing these days. It has become the go-to buzzword for corporate firms and investment platforms. But unlike platforms that have added socially responsible features, London-based Tickr launched with a sole purpose of “impact investing”. Founded in 2018, Tickr aims to demystify sustainable investing and only offers [...]
Year of the unicorn: 24 companies have surpassed $1bn valuation this year already February 5, 2021 There has been somewhat of a stampede of companies reaching unicorn status since the start of the year following a strong year for the tech sector. Some 24 companies have already reached $1bn valuation since the start of the year with a particularly strong showing from e-commerce and fintech companies, according to research by Tipalti. [...]
