Koho Close to Securing Banking Licence
Hey Digital Banking Fanatic!
Toronto-based FinTech firm KOHO Financial is on the verge of a major milestone in its bid to become Canada's 'next great bank,' according to CEO Daniel Eberhard.
KOHO first announced its plans to obtain a banking licence in 2024, later raising $190 million CAD in equity and debt to support the effort. The company requires a Schedule 1 banking licence to operate as a full-fledged bank in Canada.
Like many FinTech firms, Koho has to rely on third-party partnerships with regulated players like Peoples Trust to deliver its financial products until it gets its own licence.
This news came 5 months after Koho became one of the first Canadian FinTechs officially registered as a Payment Service Provider with the Bank of Canada.
“In China, these are called ‘super apps,’” Daniel Eberhard, Koho CEO, said. “We just look at it from the lens of, like, why would we only limit ourselves to offering you financial products?”
Explore the latest digital banking moves below. 👇 Catch you in Monday's edition!
Cheers,
PODCAST RECOMMENDATION
🎤 AI systems do not hallucinate. Humans hallucinate by DashDevs. In episode 146 of FinTech Garden, Igor Tomych speaks with Tony Fish, author of Decision Making In Uncertain Times, who shares insights from over 30 years as a serial entrepreneur and strategic advisor, discussing how AI is transforming decision-making, FinTech, compliance, and data governance. He explores the challenges of AI hallucinations, explainability, and innovation in uncertain times. Watch the full podcast here
AI Systems Do Not Hallucinate. Humans Hallucinate by DashDevs
NEWS
🇨🇦 Koho, close to securing a banking licence, hopes to launch a telco product. CEO Daniel Eberhard also revealed that Koho is exploring expansion beyond banking, including a potential telecom offering, as the FinTech continues to grow its revenue and product ecosystem.
🇵🇹 Bison Bank launches Portugal’s first stablecoin. Designed for fast, secure, and transparent international payments and transfers, this digital asset will be issued in two crypto assets: one referenced to the Euro, designated ‘EUB’, and the other referenced to the US Dollar, designated ‘USB’.
🇬🇧 ANNA Money unveils product expansion as SMEs face rising tax and admin pressures. By combining banking, savings, tax automation, and AI-powered expense management, the company aims to simplify financial operations and strengthen its position in the growing embedded finance market.
🇱🇺 Banking Circle appoints Patrick Green as Chief Compliance Officer as global expansion accelerates. In this role, he will focus on strengthening a unified compliance framework that supports consistent, scalable risk management. This includes further embedding a data-led, risk-based approach, enhancing transparency around risk appetite for both clients and internal teams.
🇺🇸 Brex COO Camilla Matias is stepping down after nearly eight years at the company, during which she helped lead Brex’s expansion across financial services, software, and AI-driven operations. Read more
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.
