
Revolut Applies for US Banking Charter in Global Push
UK fintech giant Revolut has filed applications with the OCC and FDIC for a US national bank charter, committing $500 million to the American market as it targets 100 million customers globally.
Senior Fintech Reporter
Priya Sharma covers neobanks and challenger banks across Europe and the United States, with a particular focus on licensing, growth strategy, and cross-border expansion.

UK fintech giant Revolut has filed applications with the OCC and FDIC for a US national bank charter, committing $500 million to the American market as it targets 100 million customers globally.

Monzo, Revolut, and Starling are all developing AI-powered financial advice tools, aiming to democratise wealth management for millions of everyday customers.

The Financial Conduct Authority has introduced stricter marketing rules for digital banks following a 40 per cent rise in consumer complaints about misleading savings and investment promotions.

Banking-as-a-Service startup Griffin has received its full UK banking licence from the PRA and FCA, becoming the first developer-focused BaaS provider to achieve authorisation.

Starling Bank has appointed advisers to explore a dual-track IPO process on both the London Stock Exchange and NYSE, reigniting debate over whether the UK can retain its most valuable fintech companies.

Zopa has crossed £5 billion in customer deposits, cementing its position as one of the UK's fastest-growing digital banks with a savings-first approach.

Revolut and Monzo are pioneering agentic AI systems that can autonomously manage bill payments, negotiate better deals, and rebalance savings on behalf of customers. The technology marks a shift from reactive chatbots to proactive financial agents.

JPMorgan's Chase UK has crossed the 2 million customer mark, but mounting losses have sparked debate about the long-term viability of the American banking giant's UK digital venture.

Facial recognition and behavioural biometrics are becoming standard security features as UK challenger banks report a twofold increase in biometric login adoption over the past year.

Starling Bank is pushing ahead with its European expansion plans, opening a Dublin office and applying for an Irish banking licence to serve customers across the EU.

Monzo has reached a landmark 10 million customer milestone while reporting its first full-year profit, marking a turning point for the UK's largest digital-only bank.