Close Menu
    • Top Fintech Startups in Switzerland
    • Switzerland Fintech Startup List
    • Virtual Banking
    • Open Banking
    • Online Mortgage
    • Regtech
    • Fintech Events
    • Submit Press Release
    • Submit Startup
    Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) Instagram RSS
    • About Fintech News Network
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Work With Us
    • Newsletter
    • Submit Press Release
    • Submit Startup
    • Impressum
    Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News – FintechNewsCH
    part of Fintech News Network

    Fintech News Network

    Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) Instagram RSS
    Free Newsletter
    • Blockchain
    • Wealthtech
    • Lending
    • Mobile Payments
    • Insurtech
    • PFM
    • AI
    • Funding
    • Various
      1. Germany
      2. London
      3. USA
      4. Austria
      5. Liechtenstein
      6. View All

      BaFin Fines Deutsche Bank €8 Million Over Postbank Migration Issues

      November 13, 2026

      Affirm Acquires Ratepay as Nexi Focuses on Core Activities

      November 10, 2026

      Eurex Clearing to Handle Digital and Traditional Assets Together

      November 4, 2026

      Deutsche Börse Extends Access to DAX 40 Stocks Beyond Xetra Hours

      October 28, 2026

      Griffin Raises US$20M to Add Card and Stablecoin Services

      November 13, 2026

      HSBC UK Launches Stripe-Powered Tap to Pay for Small Businesses

      November 12, 2026

      UBS Job Cuts Hit London as Credit Suisse Integration Enters Final Phase

      November 6, 2026

      Monzo Weighs New Funding at £7.5 Billion Valuation as Buyout Talks Stall

      November 6, 2026

      Anchorage Digital and Visa Add USDPT as a Settlement Option

      November 13, 2026

      Swiss Wealthtech Firm Avaloq Expands Into US Market

      November 11, 2026

      Morgan Stanley Eyes Tokenisation With Vinyl Equity Deal

      November 10, 2026

      Coinbase Secures Final OCC Approval for Its National Trust Company

      November 10, 2026

      Revolut Austria Banking Branch to Launch in 2027 With Local IBANs

      November 5, 2026

      BingX EU Secures MiCA Licence for Crypto Services in Europe

      October 15, 2026

      Bitget Pauses Withdrawals Following US$351.6M Hot Wallet Hack

      September 25, 2026

      Bybit Payments Secures Austria EMI License for European Payment Services

      August 5, 2026

      Swiss and Liechtenstein Banks Resist Core Banking System Overhaul

      November 11, 2026

      Swiss Blockchain Survey 2026: Banks on Stablecoins and Tokenized Funds

      October 20, 2026

      Bank Frick Enables Real-Time Euro Transfers and CHF Payment Receipts

      July 21, 2026

      Celsion Bank Begins Operations, Combining Digital Assets and Traditional Banking

      April 10, 2026

      Top Finfluencers in Switzerland in 2026

      November 10, 2026

      88% of Tech Founders Walk Away with Zero Exit Value

      November 9, 2026

      MUFG Bank Europe Absorbs Securities Arm to Become EU Universal Bank

      November 4, 2026

      Swiss Officials Weigh the Costs of a UBS Relocation Abroad

      October 30, 2026
    • More
      • Fintech Events
      • Top Swiss Fintechs in 2026
      • Swiss Fintech Startup List
      • Accelerators
    Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News – FintechNewsCH

    Fintech News Network

    Home»London»Digital-First Challenger Banks from the UK- The List
    London

    Digital-First Challenger Banks from the UK- The List

    Fintechnews SwitzerlandFintechnews SwitzerlandNovember 30, 20199 Mins Read
    LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Telegram Copy Link Email
    Digital-First Challenger Banks from the UK- The List
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Copy Link Email
    Free Newsletter

    Get the hottest Fintech Switzerland News once a month in your Inbox

    In the UK, digital-first challenger banks have taken the banking industry by storm. In the next year, digital challenger banks will have a combined customer base of 35 million, tripling their customer bases of 13 million people today, according to a research by Accenture.

    But who exactly are the players that are transforming the UK’s banking sector? The following is a comprehensive list of digital-first challenger banks from the UK.

    AlbaCo

    AlbaCo is a new challenger bank based in Glasgow, Scotland, that serves small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is set to launch in 2020.

    Bottomline

    Aldermore Bank

    Aldermore Bank was the first challenger bank to be launched in the UK back in 2009. The retail bank focuses on the SME sector and is headquartered in Reading, Berkshire.

    Allica Bank

    Allica Bank, formerly CivilisedBank, was granted a banking license in September 2019 to launch a SME bank. Allica Bank plans to offer business current accounts with deposits, transaction banking, overdrafts, FX, investments, savings and loans. It says it will be the first bank to launch a commercial owner-occupier mortgage for SMEs and a commercial investment product.

    Amaiz

    Headquartered in London, Amaiz is an e-money institution providing solutions for sole traders, small businesses, limited companies and startups. Amaiz launched its first business banking app for UK solopreneurs in June 2019.

    Atom Bank

    Founded in 2014, Atom Bank is a digital bank that provides banking services through a smartphone app. These include fixed-term savings accounts (Fixed Savers), mortgages, as well as business loans currently available through a small panel of brokers.

    BAAB

    BABB (Bank Account Based Blockchain), a London-based startup, is developing a decentralized banking platform leveraging blockchain and biometrics technology. BABB aims to provide peer-to-peer banking services.

    B-North

    Commercial & Northern, trading as B-North, is a fintech startup based in Manchester. B-North has applied for a banking license and plans to open for business in 2020. It will focus on SME lending.

    Bo

    UK lender National Westminster Bank (NatWest) launched cloud-based, digital bank Bo in November 2019. Bo is accessible through a mobile app and comes with a Visa card. It includes features to help users budget, set savings goals and access “great Visa exchange rates” when using their card abroad.

    Bofin

    London-based Bofin provides access to a range of banking-style, e-money and payment services to customers via its mobile app. The actual services are being provided by a variety of regulated e-money issuers, payment initiation service providers, account information service providers and payment service providers.

    Cashplus

    Cashplus, formerly known as Advanced Payment Solutions (APS), is a provider of prepaid MasterCards and current accounts for consumers, small businesses and local government authorities.

    Chetwood Financial

    Chetwood Financial launched in 2016 with a consumer lending product, LiveLend Reward Loan, which amends its lending rates as customers’ credit rating improves. It is looking to launch a savings product before the end of Q1 2019.

    ClearBank

    Founded in 2015, ClearBank was the UK’s first new clearing bank to emerge in more than 250 years. Built from scratch, ClearBank uses cutting-edge technology to transform the clearing and agency banking experience, making transactions as efficient, fast and cost-effective as they can and should be.

    Coconut

    Coconut, formerly Monizo, is a business current account that takes care of customers’ accounting and tax. The platform is designed for freelancers, self-employed people and small business owners, and works through a mobile app.

    Contis

    Founded in 2008, Contis provides end-to-end banking and payments solutions. Contis offers several services including credEcard, a current account for consumers that comes with a Visa debit card, online e-account facilities and a mobile app, Engage, a payments card product for the European credit union market, as well as Canvas, a white-label solution which provides end-to-end accounts, banking and payments capability.

    Countingup

    Countingup is a banking and accounting service for freelancers, small businesses and sole traders. It offers a free business current account that comes with a UK sort code, account number and a contactless MasterCard.

    Dozens

    Dozens, developed by Project Imagine, helps customers save and grow their money by bringing together a current account, savings tools and an investment manager – all in one place.

    Equals

    Equals, formerly FairFX, is a London-based challenger in the financial services sector catering for both business and retail customers. Operating under an e-money license, Equals provides products including international payments, corporate expenses, current accounts, credit facilities, currency cards and travel cash.

    Fiinu

    Fiinu is a banking startup founded in 2017. Fiinu has not launched yet and is in the pre-application phase to obtain necessary licenses UK regulators. The startup aims to change the short term borrowing landscape by offering an innovative solution connected to a customer’s primary bank account via the open banking” directive.

    Fire Financial Services

    Founded in 2008, Fire is a multi-currency digital account for businesses registered in the UK and Ireland. It comes with a mobile app and a MasterCard debit card that is linked to GBP and EUR accounts.

    Galeo Bank

    Galeo is a digital bank designed to provide a free banking service globally and democratize access to financial products and services by leveraging the Bank-as-a-Platform model.

    Griffin

    London-based Griffin is developing a API-fist bank that helps companies of all sizes connect to the banking infrastructure they need. Founded in 2017, Griffin plans to launch in summer 2020.

    Lintel Bank

    Lintel Bank is a startup building a digital bank targeting migrant workers and students in the UK. It will offer paid-for current accounts, money transfers, personal and SME loans, and mortgages. Lintel is currently in the pre-application stage of regulatory approval.

    LQID Bank

    LQID Bank is a new challenger bank based in London currently undergoing regulatory authorization. LQID Bank will be providing a full-service bank that will use smart technologies to help customers build wealth.

    Mettle

    Launched in November 2018 by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and its subsidiary NatWest, Mettle is a standalone SME digital entity offering a business current account with a sort code, account number and payment card; instant invoicing; and the option to add receipts to transactions and track expenses from a phone. Mettle is not a bank, but operates as an agent under an e-money license held by PrePay Solutions (PPS).

    MoneeMint

    London-based MoneeMint, formerly Ummah Finance, is building “the UK and Europe’s first completely digital ethical bank.” MoneeMint has yet to launch . It will initially offer prepaid products and services.

    Monese

    Founded in 2013, Monese launched in September 2015 as the first 100% mobile account in the UK. The company offers current accounts and money transfer services as an alternative to traditional banks. Users open and manage their Monese current account on the company’s mobile app.

    Monzo

    Monzo is a fully licensed mobile-first bank. The company offers a current account with a contactless debit card and a mobile banking app. The mobile app’s standout features include intelligent notifications, instant balance updates and financial management.

    OakNorth

    OakNorth is a UK challenger bank for SMEs. The bank, which gained regulatory approval in early 2015, provides business and property loans.

    Omega Bank

    Omega is a new digital bank designed to provide a free banking service globally and democratize access to financial products and services by leveraging the Bank-as-a-Platform model. Omega, which has yet to launch, will provide free multi-currency current accounts with debit cards, free and instant money transfers, low-rate credit cards, and more.

    Pockit

    Pockit is an online current account which customers can use to take full control of their spending. Customers sign up online in just 2 minutes and have access to a unique account number and sort code. The Pockit account also comes with a MasterCard.

    Prepaid Financial Services (PFS)

    Prepaid Financial Services (PFS) is a payments technology and e-money specialist providing a range of banking products including consumer and prepaid cards, current accounts, mobile payments, switching, and merchant services.

    Recognise

    Recognise Financial Services, a subsidiary of the City of London Group, is a new challenger bank targeting the “vital but underserved” SME lending market. The company plans to apply for its banking license in December 2019 and expects to open for business in 2020. It intends to partner with leading fintech platforms to create a market leading SME service using the best in technology.

    Redwood Bank

    Redwood Bank is a business bank launched in 2017 that uses cutting edge technology solutions to serve SMEs. Redwood Bank offers secured SME mortgages for business owners, as well as for experienced commercial and residential property investors.

    Revolut

    Launched in 2015, Revolut is a challenger bank that offers services including a prepaid debit card (MasterCard or Visa), fee free currency exchange, commission free stock trading, cryptocurrency exchange and peer-to-peer payments. The Revolut mobile app supports spending and ATM withdrawals in more than 100 currencies and sending in 20 currencies directly from the app.

    Starling Bank

    Headquartered in London, Starling Bank is a licensed, mobile-only challenger bank offering four types of account: personal, business, joint and euro. The bank also provides the Starling Marketplace which offers customers in-app access to a curated selection of third party financial services, as well as business-to-business (B2B) banking and payments services.

    Tandem Bank

    Founded in 2015, Tandem Bank is a British bank focused on banking through mobile apps. Tandem offers a range of banking products  including credit cards, a MasterCard, savings solutions, and a flexible account powered by smart Autosavings rules.

    Thinkmoney

    Thinkmoney is a digital banking services provider that primarily offers current accounts for a fixed monthly fee with no overdraft or transaction charges. Thinkmoney’s online system offers a budgeting service that sees customers money split into two accounts, one for spending and one for bills.

    Tide

    Tide is a UK fintech company that provides mobile-first financial services for SMEs. Tide enables businesses to set up a current account and get instant access to various financial services including automated bookkeeping and integrated invoicing.

    U Account

    Founded in 2012, U Account started off as a prepaid card business, operating under the name Ffrees Family Finance Ltd, before evolving in 2016 into a current account aimed at helping its users to improve their financial wellbeing, offering direct debit payments, budgeting tools and more.

    Viola Money

    Viola Money is a startup providing financial products. These include Viola Black, a personal account and accompanying prepaid card, Viola Corporate, a full digital bank account that allows customers to control all facets of their companies’ finances, and Viola Insure, an insurance business.

    Zopa

    Zopa, known as the world’s first peer-to-peer (P2P) lender, launched its bank arm in 2018. The company plans to offer savings accounts and credit cards among other products. Zopa’s new bank will sit alongside its existing business, creating the “world’s first hybrid peer-to-peer and digital bank offering.”

    Sponsored ReportThe Payments Intelligence GapRead
    challenger banks digital banks UK
    Share. Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Telegram Copy Link Email

    Author

    fintech switzerland
    Fintechnews Switzerland
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)

    Related Posts

    Griffin Raises US$20M to Add Card and Stablecoin Services

    November 13, 2026

    HSBC UK Launches Stripe-Powered Tap to Pay for Small Businesses

    November 12, 2026

    UBS Job Cuts Hit London as Credit Suisse Integration Enters Final Phase

    November 6, 2026

    Monzo Weighs New Funding at £7.5 Billion Valuation as Buyout Talks Stall

    November 6, 2026

    Sequoia Closes London Office as Part of Wider Changes

    November 5, 2026

    Canada’s CIBC Taps Thought Machine for Retail Banking Overhaul

    October 30, 2026

    CTO Craft Con: Fintech Brings Tech Leaders to London This November

    October 29, 2026

    Stripe Pay Launches Instant Business Transfers in US and UK

    October 29, 2026
    AI Sponsored

    81% of Financial Firms Use AI. Only 14% Call It Transformational

    October 21, 2026
    Fintech Newsletter
    Subscribe to the most important Fintech Switzerland News
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • X / Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram
    Swiss Fintech Startup Directory

    Swiss Fintech Startup Directory

    Top Swiss Fintech Startups

    Top Fintech Startups in Switzerland for 2026

    Upcoming Fintech Events
    Country
    AI & Big Data Expo Global 2027
    February 3, 2027
    -
    February 4, 2027
    United Kingdom
    -
    London
    Digital Finance Summit 2026
    December 3, 2026
    Belgium
    -
    Brussels
    Digital Society 2026
    November 25, 2026
    Germany
    -
    Frankfurt am Main
    EURO FINANCE Tech Day 2026
    November 18, 2026
    Germany
    -
    Frankfurt
    European Digital Finance Conference 2026
    November 19, 2026
    Netherlands
    -
    Amsterdam
    Promote Event View More
    Whitepapers & E-Books
    The Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking & Payments
    The Future of Competitive Advantage in Banking & Payments
    Bottomline
    American Newsletter

    Fintech News America

    Australia Fintech Map

    Australia Fintech Map

    Philippines Fintech Report

    SINGAPORE FINTECH REPORT

    Singapore Fintech Map 2025

    Indonesia Fintech Report

    Indonesia Fintech Map 2025 banner

    UAE Fintech Report

    UAE Fintech Report 2024

    Free Business Accounts

    Navigation
    • About Fintech News Network
    • FNN Media Kit
    • Work With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Fintech Switzerland Newsletter
    • Submit Press Release
    • Submit Fintech Startup
    • Datenschutzerklärung / Impressum
    Other Fintech News Network Publications
    Fintech News Switzerland
    Fintech News Singapore
    Fintech News Malaysia
    Fintech News Hong Kong
    Fintech News Philippines
    Fintech News Network Indonesia
    Fintech News Network Australia
    Fintech News Baltic
    Fintech News Nordics
    Fintech News America
    Fintech News UAE
    Fintech News Africa
    Get Informed

    Subscribe to Updates

    Subscribe to the most important Fintech Switzerland News

    Facebook LinkedIn X (Twitter) Instagram RSS
    • About Fintech News Network
    • FNN Media Kit
    • Work With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Fintech Switzerland Newsletter
    • Submit Press Release
    • Submit Fintech Startup
    • Datenschutzerklärung / Impressum
    © 2015 - 2026 Copyright CK Finanzpro GmbH. All Rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Fintech Schweiz Digital Finance News - FintechNewsCH
    Manage Consent

    Your Privacy Matters to Us

    To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

    Functional Always active
    The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
    Preferences
    The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
    Statistics
    The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
    Marketing
    The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
    • Manage options
    • Manage services
    • Manage {vendor_count} vendors
    • Read more about these purposes
    View preferences
    • {title}
    • {title}
    • {title}