Starling Talks IPO Momentum… but the Real Growth Story Is Still Unfolding
Hey Digital Banking Fanatic!
Starling Bank is very much IPO-bound. Just not yet.
The numbers help explain the confidence. 4.6 million customers. Half a million business accounts. Strong customer satisfaction.
And a valuation that’s reportedly moved from £2.5bn in 2022 toward the £4bn range.
CEO Raman Bhatia says the bank is on track for a “mega IPO”, describing Starling as a coiled spring sitting in the foothills of opportunity in the UK. Timing, though, matters.
This isn’t the year.
For now, the focus is execution. Building culture. Scaling profitably. And making sure the story is ready when markets are.
Meanwhile, Starling’s Software Arm Eyes the US 🇺🇸
Starling’s ambitions aren’t just about banking.
Its software division, Engine, is pushing into the US, targeting mid-tier banks weighed down by outdated core systems.
The pitch is straightforward. Asset-light. Outside the regulatory perimeter. High-margin fee income. Much easier to scale globally than a consumer bank. Management believes Engine can hit £100m in ARR, with the US seen as the biggest opportunity. A first American client could land as early as next year.
Different path. Same theme. Starling is building optionality well before ringing the bell.
What else is quietly taking shape across Digital Banking sector today? Scroll down 👇 I'll be back here in your inbox tomorrow.
Cheers,
Stay Updated on the Go! Join my new Telegram channel for daily Digital Banking updates and real-time breaking news. Stay informed and explore the Future of Banking—subscribe now!
NEWS
🇺🇸 Starling targets US expansion by selling software to other banks. The London-based FinTech has called in advisers from Deloitte and PwC to find US clients for its Engine software, which allows lenders to design and build their own digital banking capabilities.
🇬🇧 Raman Bhatia, Chief Executive of Starling Bank, highlights strong customer satisfaction and in-person collaboration as central to the digital lender’s culture, pointing to high Trustpilot ratings and a push to bring staff back into the office.
🇺🇸 Varo Bank announces growth investment led by Coliseum Capital Management. The all-digital, nationally chartered US bank also added former Executives Alice Milligan and Kevin Watters to its board. Varo uses technology-driven banking and lending products to expand access to credit and reported $547 million in lending volume in 2025.
🇺🇸 BitGo becomes the first public, federally chartered digital asset infrastructure company. BitGo’s federal charter enables the company to provide regulated custody, wallet infrastructure, settlement, and related digital asset services to clients across all 50 U.S. states under a single national regulatory framework.
🇩🇪 N26 strengthens its supervisory board with exan perienced banker, Stefan Ermisch. With Ermisch joining the supervisory board, N26 marks a new stage in its development. The bank aims to be perceived not just as an innovative startup, but as an established player in the European banking sector.
🇸🇬 Revolut plans to triple its Singapore workforce within three years. Revolut said Singapore will serve as its base to develop and scale products and services for Asian markets, as the company evaluates expansion into additional countries across the region. Additionally, Revolut surpasses Banca Transilvania in terms of the number of customers. The official figure sent by Revolut is 4.9 million Revolut card users, while Banca Transilvania announced that it has 4.6 million card users in BT Pay.
🇮🇪 Revolut lobbied the Irish government to exclude it from legislation requiring certain banks to ensure access to cash, arguing that such obligations could harm innovation and competition. In a letter to the Department of Finance, the UK FinTech warned against being classified as a “designated entity” under the Access to Cash Bill.
🇧🇷 Santander launches a free digital account for minors under 18 with Pix and a card. The new account is already integrated into the bank's app, offers basic banking services, Pix, debit card, savings, and is completely free. The account is controlled by the minor's parents and/or legal guardians through the Santander app.
🇧🇷 Pix will now be tracked across all banks to prevent fraud. According to the Central Bank, MED 2.0 allows tracking the flow of funds and sharing information with the financial institutions involved. This allows you to freeze funds in intermediary accounts and return the money within 11 days of filing a dispute.
🇺🇸 Bybit’s neobank plans test crypto exchanges’ push into banking. Bybit’s push to offer neobank-style services is testing how far crypto exchanges can expand into TradFi, highlighting regulatory hurdles and a growing reliance on licensed banking partners. Bybit is partnering with Pave Bank.
🇳🇬 Kuda targets hybrid banking under new national licence. According to the bank, the national licence is about regulatory alignment and operational flexibility rather than a shift away from its digital-first model, so it will continue to lead with digital banking services.
🇺🇸 Immigrant-focused banking app Seis to close down. In a statement posted to LinkedIn, CEO and co-founder Trevor McKendrick wrote: “I have a sad announcement to make today: Seis is shutting down.” Read more
🇺🇸 SoFi hits billion-dollar milestone. The results, released on January 30, 2026, showcased a powerhouse performance across its lending and financial services segments, driven by record-breaking loan volumes and a surge in new member acquisitions.
🇬🇧 Incard closes £10M Series A to expand its financial platform. Incard plans to focus on geographic expansion, continue investing in its app store, automation, and AI capabilities, and grow its engineering, compliance, and product development teams.
🇦🇪 Du Pay and Deem Finance partner to launch Flexi Cash Loan. Flexi Cash Loan is a new digital cash lending product designed to provide customers with fast, convenient access to short-term credit directly within the du Pay wallet. Keep reading
🇧🇷 Juspay accelerates its expansion with one year in Brazil and over US$50 million in cash. According to Shakthidhar Bhaskar, Expansion Director at Juspay, the new capital injection will help the company maintain the investment plan announced when it arrived in the country.
Want your message in front of 100.000+ Digital Banking fanatics, founders, investors, and operators?
Shoot me a message on LinkedIn or send me an e-mail.
