Is the UK Back on bunq's Roadmap?

Is the UK Back on bunq's Roadmap?
Is the UK Back on bunq's Roadmap?

Hey Digital Banking Fanatic!

Sources familiar with the matter said bunq is now mulling an official UK licence that would allow it to bring its fully-fledged banking services to the market, reported City AM.

A spokesperson for Bunq said: “We cannot share details of the regulatory process. The UK is of course important to us, as it is a priority market for our users, which is why we operated there under our European banking licence before the UK left the EU.”

Earlier this year, bunq became the latest European FinTech to file for a US banking licence, a sign of where the growth ambitions are pointing. 

Worth noting in contrast: UK banking licence applications hit zero in 2025. 

Nevertheless, Revolut finally secured its own UK licence in March after a years-long wait. 

Speaking of Revolut. Keep reading for our exclusive retrospective on Revolut vs. Monzo in 2025, where I unpack who actually won the battle for your smartphone. 👇

See you on Monday! 

Cheers,

Marcel


INSIGHTS

📊 Battle of the neobanks: Revolut 🆚 Monzo

Here is a comparison of 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘀:

Revolut vs Monzo

NEWS

🇬🇹 Banco Promerica has launched the Ysi Debit Mastercard, a digital-first debit card designed to offer Guatemalan consumers a simpler and more secure payment experience. The card supports contactless payments, digital wallets, real-time account management through the bank’s mobile app, and includes benefits such as cashback, discounts, and enhanced fraud protection features.

🇬🇧 bunq is reportedly preparing to pursue a UK banking licence as it looks to expand its presence in Britain and compete more directly with rivals. The fintech operated in the UK before Brexit under its European banking licence. City AM has reported it is now weighing a UK banking licence.

🇨🇱 Revolut has met with Chile’s financial regulator, the Financial Market Commission, to present its global banking operations and regulatory framework, signaling potential interest in entering the Chilean market. Read more

🇮🇪 Revolut has launched its first major brand campaign in Ireland, featuring Graham Norton as the face of its “Welcome To My Bank” initiative. The campaign underscores two clear trends: the mainstreaming of challenger‑bank branding, and the growing use of high‑profile cultural figures to cut through in a crowded, credibility‑sensitive market.

🇬🇧 Revolut plans to launch five credit cards in the UK as it accelerates its expansion into lending and wealth management following the receipt of its UK banking licence. The FinTech is also exploring personal loans, private banking services for affluent customers, and broader investment offerings.

🇬🇧 Revolut Co-Founder and CTO Vlad Yatsenko to step down from the role and transition to a non-executive director role on the company’s board. He will be succeeded by Donato Lucia, who will take on the newly titled position of Vice President of Technology.

🇧🇷 Nubank now allows negotiating debts from other institutions in the app.  The feature allows customers to track outstanding financial obligations from different institutions. Additionally, Nu Holdings announces a US$1.0 billion share repurchase program. The buyback will be executed over the next 12 months while Nu continues to fully fund its growth initiatives and regulatory capital requirements across Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and the United States.

🇺🇸 Ramp has launched Stack, an AI-native platform designed for accounting firms to automate workflows such as reconciliations, journal entries, schedule updates, and flux analysis. Stack enables firms to deploy AI agents that operate within firm-defined processes while connecting directly to accounting software, banking platforms, and document repositories.

🇬🇧 Tuum names payments veteran Gregor Dobbie as new CEO. With over 30 years of industry experience, Dobbie becomes Tuum's fourth permanent CEO since the company's 2019 launch. Read on


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