Barclays Is Buying One of the UK's Best-Known FinTechs for Kids
Hey Digital Banking Fanatic!
Barclays is making a bet on a customer segment most banks have historically overlooked: kids.
The bank has agreed to acquire GoHenry, the UK financial education app that has helped more than 2 million children learn how to earn, save, spend, and invest. Sources told City AM Barclays paid around £180m as part of the takeover.
This deal doesn't include GoHenry's US business (now Acorns Early) or Pixpay in Europe, and is subject to regulatory approval, expected to close Q4 2026.
What makes GoHenry different is that it meets customers long before most banks ever do.
By the time many young people open their first bank account, they've already spent years learning how to manage money through GoHenry's app, card, savings features, and investing tools.
Barclays is buying the opportunity to connect with customers years before they would traditionally enter the banking system and potentially keep that relationship as they move into adulthood.
And if you're curious how the broader digital banking sector performed recently, keep scrolling for our latest roundup of how digital banking companies performed last week.
Today's remaining Digital Banking headlines are just below. 👇 See you tomorrow!
Cheers,
HOW DIGITAL BANKING PERFORMED LAST WEEK
📈 From rallies to pullbacks, here’s how listed Digital Banking performed last week:
NEWS
🇬🇧 GoHenry to join Barclays to help even more UK kids get smart with money. The company is set to be acquired by Barclays from Acorns, subject to regulatory approval, in a move aimed at expanding financial education for young people in the UK. The deal will support GoHenry’s mission while giving members a pathway to continue their financial journey into adulthood.
🇪🇸 Revolut accelerates its growth in Spain during the first quarter of 2026, increasing customer deposits by 16.3% from year-end levels to €4.64bn. The increase highlights the FinTech’s continued expansion in the market, where it now serves more than six million customers. Continue reading
🇬🇧 Revolut price tag ‘just a stepping stone’ to a trillion, says Fuse boss. Former Revolut CRO Alan Chang believes the FinTech’s current $75bn valuation is only a “stepping stone” toward becoming a $1tn company. Chang said Revolut is the only UK-born firm currently showing the ambition and scale needed to become a global champion.
🇧🇷 Revolut recruits Paulo Guedes to support its expansion in Brazil. The former Brazilian Economy Minister has joined Revolut's newly created advisory board, which will also include Ana Novaes and Luiz Henrique Lobo. Revolut said Guedes will contribute macroeconomic expertise and international relationships as it expands in one of its fastest-growing markets.
🇲🇽 Mercado Pago seeks an investment fund management license in Mexico. If approved, this license would allow wallet balances to be invested and provide access to investment products directly through the app. The company has also applied for a banking license in the country, as it seeks to broaden its product offering and deepen customer engagement.
🇺🇾 BTG Pactual has received approval from Uruguay’s central bank to acquire HSBC Uruguay, completing the regulatory authorization process for the deal. The transaction, valued at about $175m, supports BTG’s international expansion strategy and strengthens its presence across Latin America.
Want your message in front of 100.000+ FinTech fanatics, founders, investors, and operators?
Shoot me a message on LinkedIn or send me an e-mail.
