# neobank.wiki — full corpus > neobank.wiki is a free, collaborative encyclopedia of neobanks, challenger banks, and digital banking — profiles, history, business models, and more. Generated for AI agents. Canonical index: https://www.neobank.wiki/llms.txt Articles: 124 --- # Airwallex > Airwallex is an Australian-founded business fintech for global accounts, payments and spend management. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/airwallex Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Australia neobanks, Australia fintech, Business neobanks, Payment platforms, Companies founded in 2015 **Airwallex** is an Australian-founded financial technology company offering multi-currency business accounts, international payments, cards and embedded finance APIs. It is frequently grouped with business [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and FX platforms such as [Wise](/wiki/wise).[^awx1] ## History Founded in Melbourne, Airwallex scaled across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America as a business-focused global-payments stack, raising large funding rounds and obtaining licences or partnerships market by market. ## Founders **Jack Zhang** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Airwallex](/wiki/airwallex), the Australian-founded global business-payments platform. After careers spanning banking and multiple side businesses—including a Melbourne café with university friend Max Li—Zhang co-founded Airwallex in 2015 after experiencing painful SWIFT fees importing supplies. He has led the company to multi-billion valuations and global multi-currency accounts, cards and embedded-finance APIs. Co-founders **Lucy Liu**, **Max Li**, **Jacob Dai** and **Ki-lok Wong** joined from Zhang's university and early-operator network. Liu was an early investor and operator; Li shared the café genesis story; Dai and Wong helped build technology and product. Together they scaled Airwallex across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North America as business infrastructure overlapping [Wise](/wiki/wise) and business [neobanks](/wiki/neobank). ## Reception Airwallex is a major Asia-Pacific-origin business payments platform competing with [Wise](/wiki/wise) Business and bank FX desks. Multi-currency accounts, cards and embedded finance APIs place it alongside business [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) for globally trading SMEs. ## Products Business accounts with local details, FX and payouts, expense cards, yield/treasury features in some regions and platform APIs for software companies embedding financial services. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Jack Zhang, Lucy Liu, Max Li, Jacob Dai, Ki-lok Wong - **Headquarters**: Melbourne, Australia - **Focus**: Business global payments ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Airwallex? Airwallex is an Australian-founded business fintech for global accounts, payments and spend management. ### When was Airwallex founded? Airwallex was founded in 2015. ### Where is Airwallex headquartered? Airwallex is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. ### Who founded Airwallex? Airwallex was founded by Jack Zhang, Lucy Liu, Max Li, Jacob Dai, Ki-lok Wong. ### What type of company is Airwallex? Airwallex is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^awx1]: Airwallex provides business financial accounts and payments under local licences and partner arrangements. --- # Alex Johnson > Alex Johnson is the founder of Fintech Takes, a widely read fintech newsletter and podcast; he is active on X as @AlexH_Johnson. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/alex-johnson Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Alex Johnson** is an American fintech writer and analyst, founder of **Fintech Takes**—a twice-weekly newsletter and podcast covering financial services, technology and public policy.[^aj1] On [X](/wiki/x) (**@AlexH_Johnson**) he is one of the most-followed independent commentators on [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), product strategy and industry news, often paired with [Jason Mikula](/wiki/jason-mikula) on Fintech Recap episodes. ## Career Before Fintech Takes, Johnson spent two decades in marketing, strategy and market research roles at firms including **Cornerstone Advisors**, **FICO**, **Mercator Advisory Group** and **Zoot Enterprises**. He left full-time corporate work to write independently and is frequently quoted in trade and mainstream press. ## Fintech Takes Fintech Takes mixes long "takes" (deep dives) with short news briefs, known for analogies and pop-culture framing. The podcast features operator interviews and monthly recaps. The brand is a staple for product and strategy readers tracking U.S. and global digital banking. ## Media and X Johnson appears at conferences such as Money20/20 and American Banker events. His X feed (**@AlexH_Johnson**) amplifies newsletter themes: [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance), primary-account competition, regulation and product teardowns of [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and banks. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech writer / podcaster - **Known for**: Fintech Takes - **X**: @AlexH_Johnson - **Based in**: Montana, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Alex Johnson? Alex Johnson is the founder of Fintech Takes, a widely read fintech newsletter and podcast; he is active on X as @AlexHJohnson. ## References [^aj1]: Alex Johnson is the founder of Fintech Takes, a fintech newsletter and podcast. — https://fintechtakes.com/ --- # Alexandre Prot > Alexandre Prot is co-founder and CEO of Qonto, the Paris-based European business neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/alexandre-prot Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Alexandre Prot** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Qonto](/wiki/qonto). A former McKinsey consultant, he co-founded Qonto in 2016 with Steve Anavi.[^fn1] ## Career Prot led Qonto's expansion across France, Germany, Spain, Italy and other European markets, bundling accounts, cards, expense tracking and bookkeeping integrations for freelancers and SMEs. ## Qonto Alexandre Prot is principally associated with [Qonto](/wiki/qonto). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Qonto CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Qonto - **Founded company**: 2016 - **Associated HQ**: Paris, France ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Alexandre Prot? Alexandre Prot is co-founder and CEO of Qonto, the Paris-based European business neobank. ## References [^fn1]: Alexandre Prot is a founder of Qonto, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/qonto --- # Ali Niknam > Ali Niknam is founder and CEO of Bunq, the Amsterdam-based licensed Dutch neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/ali-niknam Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Ali Niknam** is founder and chief executive officer of [Bunq](/wiki/bunq). He invested personal capital to obtain a Dutch banking licence after founding TransIP and The Datacenter Group.[^fn1] ## Career Born in 1981 in Windsor, Ontario, and raised in the Netherlands, Niknam built bunq from 2012 into an EEA-wide mobile bank with multi-currency accounts, local IBANs and a sustainability-oriented brand. Bunq later acquired Tricount and pursued high-profile AML compliance debates. ## Bunq Ali Niknam is principally associated with [Bunq](/wiki/bunq). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Bunq founder / CEO - **Company**: Bunq - **Founded company**: 2012 - **Associated HQ**: Amsterdam, Netherlands ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Ali Niknam? Ali Niknam is founder and CEO of Bunq, the Amsterdam-based licensed Dutch neobank. ## References [^fn1]: Ali Niknam is a founder of Bunq, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/bunq --- # Ally Bank > Ally Bank is a large U.S. online bank offering deposits, loans and investment products without branches. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/ally-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies **Ally Bank** is an American online bank and the banking subsidiary of **Ally Financial**. It offers high-yield deposits, loans, cards and investing without a retail branch network and is often cited as a bridge between classic online banking and newer [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Chime](/wiki/chime).[^al1] ## History Ally’s banking franchise grew from GMAC’s online bank rebrand after the financial crisis into one of the largest U.S. digital deposit gatherers. It competed on rate and convenience years before the 2010s neobank wave.[^al2] ## Company Ally Financial is a publicly traded company with automotive-finance roots. Ally Bank is a regulated bank subsidiary led by professional banking management rather than startup co-founders. ## Licence Ally Bank is an FDIC-insured U.S. bank with a full charter—licensed online banking, not a partner-bank fintech front end. ## Products Products include savings and money-market accounts, CDs, checking, mortgages, auto loans, credit cards and Ally Invest brokerage. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NYSE: ALLY) - **Headquarters**: United States - **Model**: Licensed online bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Ally Bank? Ally Bank is a large U.S. ### Where is Ally Bank headquartered? Ally Bank is headquartered in United States. ### What type of company is Ally Bank? Ally Bank is described as Licensed online bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^al1]: Ally Bank is the online banking subsidiary of Ally Financial. — https://www.ally.com/ [^al2]: Ally Bank grew into one of the largest U.S. branchless deposit banks. — https://www.ally.com/ --- # Anne Boden > Anne Boden MBE founded Starling Bank and was the first woman to found a British bank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/anne-boden Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Anne Boden** is founder of [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank). A career banker and technologist, she built Starling as a fully licensed UK digital bank and later its Engine BaaS platform.[^fn1] ## Career Born in Swansea in 1960, Boden studied at Swansea University and earned an MBA from Middlesex University. She held leadership roles at Lloyds, Standard Chartered, UBS, ABN AMRO, RBS and Allied Irish Banks (COO) before founding Starling in 2014. She received an MBE in 2018 and stepped down as CEO in 2023. ## Starling Bank Anne Boden is principally associated with [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Starling Bank founder - **Company**: Starling Bank - **Founded company**: 2014 - **Associated HQ**: London, United Kingdom ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Anne Boden? Anne Boden MBE founded Starling Bank and was the first woman to found a British bank. ## References [^fn1]: Anne Boden is a founder of Starling Bank, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/starling-bank --- # Atom Bank > Atom Bank is a UK mobile-only challenger bank focused on savings and business lending. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/atom-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Business neobanks, Companies founded in 2014 **Atom Bank** is a British mobile-only [challenger bank](/wiki/challenger-bank) authorised in the mid-2010s. It emphasises savings products and business lending and was among the UK’s early fully digital licensed banks alongside [Monzo](/wiki/monzo) and [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank).[^at1] ## History Atom received a UK banking licence and launched with a smartphone-only proposition. It built a franchise in fixed-term savings and SME loans rather than chasing current-account brand virality.[^at2] ## Founders Atom Bank was co-founded by **Anthony Thomson** (also associated with Metro Bank) and **Mark Mullen**, positioning Atom as a northern England–based digital challenger. ## Licence Atom holds a full UK banking licence and is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme for eligible deposits. ## Products Products focus on savings accounts and business/residential lending delivered through the Atom mobile app. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2014 - **Headquarters**: Durham, United Kingdom - **Model**: Licensed challenger bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Atom Bank? Atom Bank is a UK mobile-only challenger bank focused on savings and business lending. ### When was Atom Bank founded? Atom Bank was founded in 2014. ### Where is Atom Bank headquartered? Atom Bank is headquartered in Durham, United Kingdom. ### What type of company is Atom Bank? Atom Bank is described as Licensed challenger bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^at1]: Atom Bank is a UK mobile-only licensed challenger bank. — https://www.atombank.co.uk/ [^at2]: Atom emphasises savings and lending products via its mobile app. — https://www.atombank.co.uk/ --- # Avici > Avici is a self-custodial crypto neobank offering cards and virtual accounts while users keep custody of funds. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/avici Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Global fintech, Self-custody finance, Consumer neobanks, Cryptocurrency companies, Companies founded in 2024 **Avici** is a self-custodial, crypto-native [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2024. It combines a non-custodial wallet with Visa cards and virtual USD/EUR accounts for on-ramping, aiming to let users spend onchain balances without handing over custody.[^avici1] ## History Avici launched as an internet-native banking interface on crypto rails, emphasising self-custody software rather than a traditional banking charter. Card issuing and fiat accounts are provided through partners. ## Founders **Sitaram Kakarlamudi** is co-founder of [Avici](/wiki/avici), a self-custodial crypto [neobank](/wiki/neobank) launched in 2024 to turn stablecoins into spendable cards, virtual accounts and credit without giving up custody. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has framed Avici as rebuilding banking from first principles on wallets and stablecoins for people poorly served by legacy rails. **Abhishek Tiwari** and **Varun Lohade** co-founded Avici with Kakarlamudi, helping build the product stack that combines a non-custodial wallet with partner-issued Visa cards and virtual USD/EUR accounts for on-ramping—positioning Avici in the emerging self-custody neobank category. ## Self-custody neobank model Avici combines a non-custodial wallet with partner-issued cards and virtual accounts so users can spend stablecoins without surrendering keys. Card issuing and fiat rails use regulated partners; Avici itself markets software rather than a traditional bank charter. ## Products Self-custodial wallet, Visa credit cards (via partners such as Rain), virtual bank accounts for ACH/SEPA-style on-ramps with conversion to stablecoins, and a roadmap toward onchain credit products. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private / app - **Founded**: 2024 - **Founders**: Sitaram Kakarlamudi, Abhishek Tiwari, Varun Lohade - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Model**: Self-custody crypto neobank - **Card**: Visa (partner-issued) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Avici? Avici is a self-custodial crypto neobank offering cards and virtual accounts while users keep custody of funds. ### When was Avici founded? Avici was founded in 2024. ### Where is Avici headquartered? Avici is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded Avici? Avici was founded by Sitaram Kakarlamudi, Abhishek Tiwari, Varun Lohade. ### What type of company is Avici? Avici is described as Self-custody crypto neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^avici1]: Avici describes itself as self-custodial software; cards and fiat accounts use regulated partners. --- # Bank Jago > Bank Jago is an Indonesian digital bank known for partnerships with Gojek and app-based retail banking. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/bank-jago Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Indonesia neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies **Bank Jago** is an Indonesian [digital bank](/wiki/neobank) that rebuilt a legacy banking licence into a mobile-first retail bank. It is known for deep partnerships with the **Gojek** super-app ecosystem and for targeting digitally native Indonesian consumers and SMEs.[^jg1] ## History Investors transformed Bank Artos into Bank Jago, launching a modern digital banking experience and aligning with Gojek for embedded finance distribution. The bank listed on the Indonesian exchange and became a flagship name in Jakarta’s digital-banking cohort.[^jg2] ## Leadership Bank Jago’s modern era is associated with investor groups and executives who repositioned the charter as a tech-forward bank rather than a greenfield [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founding team. ## Licence Bank Jago holds an Indonesian banking licence and takes deposits. Integration with Gojek illustrates [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance): banking rails inside a ride-hail and payments super-app. ## Products Products include retail deposits, pockets/budgets, cards, credit and business accounts, with Gojek-linked payment and lending experiences. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (IDX) - **Headquarters**: Indonesia - **Model**: Licensed digital bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Bank Jago? Bank Jago is an Indonesian digital bank known for partnerships with Gojek and app-based retail banking. ### Where is Bank Jago headquartered? Bank Jago is headquartered in Indonesia. ### What type of company is Bank Jago? Bank Jago is described as Licensed digital bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^jg1]: Bank Jago is an Indonesian digital bank partnered with Gojek. — https://jago.com/ [^jg2]: Bank Jago was repositioned from Bank Artos into a digital-first bank. — https://jago.com/ --- # Banking as a service > Banking as a service (BaaS) lets non-bank companies embed regulated banking features via licensed partner banks and APIs. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/banking-as-a-service Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking **Banking as a service** (**BaaS**) is a model in which licensed banks provide their regulated infrastructure to non-bank companies through APIs, enabling those companies to embed banking features such as accounts, cards and payments.[^baas] BaaS underpins many [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) that do not hold their own banking licence and is a core building block of [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance). Independent analyst [Jason Mikula](/wiki/jason-mikula)—who literally wrote the book on BaaS—is a primary secondary source for programme economics and regulatory risk. ## Overview In a BaaS arrangement, the regulated [partner bank](/wiki/partner-bank) holds deposits and manages compliance while the partner company owns the customer experience. Middleware platforms may sit between fintech and bank. This lowers the barrier to launching financial products but introduces dependency, programme-risk and regulatory scrutiny. ## History BaaS scaled in the 2010s as U.S. and European fintechs sought faster launches than de novo bank charters. Card issuers, core processors and API banks productised deposits and payments. High-profile programme failures—most notably around middleware provider Synapse in the United States—pushed regulators to tighten expectations on sponsor banks and fintech programmes. Coverage by [Jason Mikula](/wiki/jason-mikula) and peers documented how custody, ledger and bank–fintech contracts broke down. ## Models Common patterns include: - **Direct sponsor bank** — fintech contracts with a chartered bank for FBO accounts and cards. - **Middleware BaaS** — a platform abstracts multiple banks behind one API. - **EMI / payments licence** — European [electronic money institutions](/wiki/electronic-money-institution) provide account-like products without full bank lending books. - **Embedded** — non-financial apps consume BaaS to offer wallets or checkout credit ([Klarna](/wiki/klarna), marketplace payouts). Mikula's *Banking as a Service* (Kogan Page, 2024) taxonomises these models (interchange, deposit gathering, loan origination-to-distribute, API-first, own-licence, matchmaking and bank service providers) and compares them across markets. ## Relation to neobanks Front-end [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Chime](/wiki/chime), [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app), [Current](/wiki/current), [Mercury](/wiki/mercury), [Novo](/wiki/novo) and [Up](/wiki/up) rely on BaaS or partner-bank arrangements. Licensed neobanks such as [Monzo](/wiki/monzo), [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank), [Varo](/wiki/varo), [Ally Bank](/wiki/ally-bank) and [WeBank](/wiki/webank) operate their own charters. Some firms migrate from BaaS to a licence over time. ## Further reading - [Jason Mikula](/wiki/jason-mikula), *Banking as a Service: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks of New Banking Business Models* (Kogan Page, 2024) - [List of fintech journalists](/wiki/list-of-fintech-journalists) for ongoing BaaS and programme commentary on X and newsletters ## Frequently asked questions ### What is banking as a service (BaaS)? Banking as a service lets licensed banks expose accounts, cards, payments, and compliance rails through APIs so non-bank companies can embed regulated banking features. Many front-end neobanks rely on BaaS partners to hold deposits while owning the customer experience. ### How does BaaS relate to neobanks? Front-end neobanks such as Chime typically use BaaS or partner-bank arrangements. Licensed neobanks such as Monzo or Starling Bank operate their own charters and do not depend on a third-party bank for core deposit taking. ### Who wrote the book on banking as a service? Jason Mikula authored Banking as a Service: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks of New Banking Business Models (Kogan Page, 2024). He also publishes Fintech Business Weekly and posts on X as @mikulaja. ## References [^baas]: BaaS providers expose regulated banking functions through APIs to non-bank partners. See also Jason Mikula, Banking as a Service (Kogan Page, 2024). — https://www.bis.org/fsi/publ/insights28.pdf --- # Bradley Leimer > Bradley Leimer is a fintech advisor and former digital banking executive; active on X as @leimer. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/bradley-leimer Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Bradley Leimer** is an American fintech advisor and former digital banking executive (including roles at **Uncapped** / earlier banking innovation posts). On [X](/wiki/x) (**@leimer**) he is a veteran commentator on [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), bank–fintech partnerships and product strategy.[^bl1] ## Career Leimer has worked inside banks and startups on digital product and innovation, later advising fintechs and speaking on partnership models that sit next to [partner bank](/wiki/partner-bank) and [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance) debates. ## Media and X **@leimer** is a practitioner-oriented feed—deal commentary, conference threads and sceptical takes on vapourware digital transformation. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Advisor / commentator - **X**: @leimer - **Focus**: Digital banking / fintech partnerships ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Bradley Leimer? Bradley Leimer is a fintech advisor and former digital banking executive; active on X as @leimer. ## References [^bl1]: Bradley Leimer is a fintech advisor and long-time digital banking commentator on X as @leimer. — https://twitter.com/leimer --- # Brett King > Brett King is a banking futurist, author of Bank 2.0/Bank 4.0 and host of Breaking Banks; active on X as @BrettKing. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/brett-king Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Brett King** is an Australian banking futurist, entrepreneur and author of the *Bank 2.0* / *Bank 4.0* book series. He founded the **Moven** digital banking brand and hosts the **Breaking Banks** podcast.[^bk1] On [X](/wiki/x) (**@BrettKing**) he is a long-running public advocate for branchless and mobile-first banking—early narrative fuel for the [neobank](/wiki/neobank) wave. ## Career King's books and keynotes popularised the idea that banking is no longer somewhere you go. Moven pioneered early U.S. mobile banking UX; Breaking Banks remains a conference-circuit podcast for digital finance leaders. ## Media and X **@BrettKing** mixes futurism, payments and AI-in-finance commentary. He sits closer to vision/keynote culture than to programme-level [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) forensics. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Author / futurist / entrepreneur - **Known for**: Bank 4.0; Breaking Banks; Moven - **X**: @BrettKing ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Brett King? Brett King is a banking futurist, author of Bank 2.0/Bank 4.0 and host of Breaking Banks; active on X as @BrettKing. ## References [^bk1]: Brett King authored the Bank 2.0/4.0 series and hosts Breaking Banks. — https://breakingbanks.com/ --- # Brex > Brex is a U.S. financial technology company offering corporate cards and business banking for startups and enterprises. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/brex Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, United States neobanks, Business neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Corporate spend platforms, Companies founded in 2017 **Brex** is an American financial technology company that provides corporate cards, cash accounts and spend management for startups and larger companies. It is a primary business-banking peer to [Mercury](/wiki/mercury) and [Ramp](/wiki/ramp).[^bx1] ## History Brex launched targeting startups that struggled to get corporate cards, underwriting on venture funding and cash rather than personal guarantees. It later expanded into business accounts and spend software, pivoting segments as markets evolved.[^bx2] ## Founders **Henrique Dubugras** and **Pedro Franceschi** co-founded Brex. Brazilian entrepreneurs who previously built a payments company as teenagers, they scaled Brex into a defining U.S. startup finance brand. ## Model Brex is a fintech using partner banks and card networks rather than a full consumer bank charter—business [neobank](/wiki/neobank) / spend-platform economics via [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service). ## Products Products include corporate cards, business cash accounts, expense management, bill pay and rewards tailored to startups and enterprises. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Henrique Dubugras, Pedro Franceschi - **Headquarters**: United States - **Focus**: Business cards / banking ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Brex? Brex is a U.S. ### When was Brex founded? Brex was founded in 2017. ### Where is Brex headquartered? Brex is headquartered in United States. ### Who founded Brex? Brex was founded by Henrique Dubugras, Pedro Franceschi. ### What type of company is Brex? Brex is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^bx1]: Brex provides corporate cards and business banking products for companies. — https://www.brex.com/ [^bx2]: Brex began by underwriting startup corporate cards on venture-backed metrics. — https://www.brex.com/ --- # Brian Armstrong > Brian Armstrong is co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, the publicly listed U.S. cryptocurrency exchange. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/brian-armstrong Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Brian Armstrong** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Coinbase](/wiki/coinbase). A former Airbnb engineer, he co-founded Coinbase to make crypto accessible to mainstream users.[^fn1] ## Career Armstrong scaled Coinbase through retail onboarding, institutional products and the Base L2 ecosystem, positioning the company as a bridge between crypto markets and traditional finance. ## Coinbase Brian Armstrong is principally associated with [Coinbase](/wiki/coinbase). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Coinbase CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Coinbase - **Founded company**: 2012 - **Associated HQ**: United States ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Brian Armstrong? Brian Armstrong is co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, the publicly listed U.S. ## References [^fn1]: Brian Armstrong is a founder of Coinbase, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/coinbase --- # Bunq > Bunq is a Dutch licensed neobank known for multi-currency accounts and green banking positioning. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/bunq Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Netherlands neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2012 **Bunq** is a Dutch [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2012 and headquartered in Amsterdam. It holds a full Dutch banking licence and markets mobile accounts with multi-currency IBAN support and a sustainability-oriented brand.[^bunq1] ## History Founded by Ali Niknam, bunq obtained a banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank and expanded across the European Economic Area. It has positioned itself as a mobile-first alternative to traditional Dutch banks. ## Founders **Ali Niknam** is the founder and chief executive officer of [Bunq](/wiki/bunq), the Amsterdam-based licensed Dutch [neobank](/wiki/neobank). Born in 1981 in Windsor, Ontario, and raised in the Netherlands, Niknam founded web-hosting company TransIP during university (later part of team.blue) and co-founded data-centre business The Datacenter Group before launching bunq in 2012. He invested tens of millions of euros of personal capital to obtain a banking licence from De Nederlandsche Bank and build a mobile-first European bank. Under Niknam, bunq expanded across the EEA with multi-currency accounts, local IBANs, personal and business plans, and a sustainability-oriented brand. The company later acquired Belgian fintech Tricount and pursued high-profile regulatory debates on AI for anti-money-laundering compliance. ## Dutch banking licence Bunq B.V. is a licensed Dutch bank supervised in the Netherlands, passporting services across the EEA. Products emphasise local IBANs in multiple countries, multi-currency accounts and API access—appealing to expats and digitally native customers. ## Reception Bunq markets itself as a values-driven mobile bank and has taken public positions on sustainability and AI in compliance. It reached unicorn status with a large Series A and acquired Tricount; regulatory disputes with De Nederlandsche Bank over AI-based AML screening drew industry attention. ## Products Bunq offers personal and joint accounts, local IBANs in multiple euro-area countries, budgeting "bank accounts" within the app, and business plans. Premium tiers unlock additional features and travel-oriented benefits. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2012 - **Founder**: Ali Niknam - **Headquarters**: Amsterdam, Netherlands - **Licence**: Dutch banking licence ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Bunq? Bunq is a Dutch licensed neobank known for multi-currency accounts and green banking positioning. ### When was Bunq founded? Bunq was founded in 2012. ### Where is Bunq headquartered? Bunq is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. ### Who founded Bunq? Bunq was founded by Ali Niknam. ### What type of company is Bunq? Bunq is described as Dutch banking licence in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^bunq1]: Bunq B.V. is supervised as a licensed bank in the Netherlands. — https://www.bunq.com/en-nl/about --- # C6 Bank > C6 Bank is a Brazilian digital bank offering accounts, cards and investment products via mobile app. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/c6-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Brazil neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2018 **C6 Bank** is a Brazilian [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2018 and based in São Paulo. It offers app-based checking accounts, credit cards and investments as a fully digital alternative to Brazil's incumbent banks.[^c6] ## History C6 Bank was launched by a team of former bankers to compete in Brazil's fast-growing digital banking market alongside [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) and other challengers. It obtained a banking licence from the Central Bank of Brazil. ## Founders **Marcelo Kalim** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank), a licensed Brazilian digital bank based in São Paulo. A longtime executive and significant shareholder at investment bank BTG Pactual—where he served in senior finance roles including CFO—Kalim co-founded C6 in 2018 with other former banking colleagues to compete in Brazil's fast-growing [neobank](/wiki/neobank) market alongside [Nubank](/wiki/nubank). Under Kalim, C6 launched app-based checking, credit cards, investments and business accounts, obtained a Brazilian banking licence, and later sold a major stake to JPMorgan Chase while continuing to scale as a premium-leaning digital bank brand. ## Brazilian banking licence C6 Bank operates as a licensed bank under Central Bank of Brazil supervision, competing in a market reshaped by [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) and open-finance rules. Its product set spans retail accounts, cards, investments and business banking with premium-tier branding. ## Reception C6 is covered as a major Brazilian digital bank challenger. JPMorgan's stake purchase validated the franchise; analysts watch customer growth and credit quality in Brazil's competitive neobank landscape. ## Products The app includes checking accounts, debit and credit cards, CDs and investment products, FX-related features and business accounts. Branding emphasises a black card and premium tiers. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2018 - **Founder**: Marcelo Kalim - **Headquarters**: São Paulo, Brazil - **Licence**: Brazilian banking licence - **Model**: Licensed neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is C6 Bank? C6 Bank is a Brazilian digital bank offering accounts, cards and investment products via mobile app. ### When was C6 Bank founded? C6 Bank was founded in 2018. ### Where is C6 Bank headquartered? C6 Bank is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. ### Who founded C6 Bank? C6 Bank was founded by Marcelo Kalim. ### What type of company is C6 Bank? C6 Bank is described as Licensed neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^c6]: C6 Bank operates as a licensed bank under Brazilian Central Bank supervision. — https://www.c6bank.com.br/ --- # Cameron Conrad > Cameron Conrad is founder and CEO of Torque, the self-custodial Money OS and wallet company. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/cameron-conrad Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Cameron Conrad** is founder and chief executive officer of [Torque](/wiki/torque). Based in Newport Beach, California, he founded Torque in 2023 to unify trade, transfer, lend and borrow with user custody.[^fn1] ## Career Before Torque, Conrad built eCommerce and dropshipping businesses and educational platform dropship.co. Torque targets individuals, businesses and developers via API and states it is not a bank and balances are not FDIC-insured. ## Torque Cameron Conrad is principally associated with [Torque](/wiki/torque). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Torque founder / CEO - **Company**: Torque - **Founded company**: 2023 - **Associated HQ**: Newport Beach, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Cameron Conrad? Cameron Conrad is founder and CEO of Torque, the self-custodial Money OS and wallet company. ## References [^fn1]: Cameron Conrad is a founder of Torque, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/torque --- # Cash App > Cash App is a U.S. mobile payments and banking-adjacent app from Block, Inc., offering P2P transfers, a debit card, investing and Bitcoin. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/cash-app Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, United States neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2013 **Cash App** is an American mobile finance app operated by **Block, Inc.** (formerly Square). It began as a peer-to-peer payment product and expanded into a debit card, direct deposit, stock and Bitcoin investing, tax filing and other banking-adjacent services delivered with partner banks.[^ca1] By user count it is one of the largest consumer finance apps in the United States, often compared with [Chime](/wiki/chime) and [Venmo](/wiki/venmo). ## History Cash App launched in 2013 under Square as "Square Cash," initially focused on simple email- and username-based person-to-person payments. The product was later rebranded Cash App and grew rapidly among younger U.S. consumers. Features such as the Cash Card, customisable "$cashtag" usernames, Bitcoin buying and fractional stock trading turned it into a multi-product finance app inside Block's consumer portfolio alongside Afterpay.[^ca2] ## Company and leadership Cash App is a product of **Block, Inc.**, co-founded by **Jack Dorsey** and **Jim McKelvey**. Dorsey, also a co-founder of Twitter (now [X](/wiki/x)), has positioned Block around an "economic empowerment" thesis spanning seller payments (Square) and consumer money movement (Cash App). Cash App's product organisation has been led by successive consumer-product executives within Block rather than a standalone neobank founding team. ## Partner-bank model Cash App is not itself a chartered bank. Balances and card programmes are provided through partner banks that supply FDIC insurance where applicable—the same front-end pattern used by many U.S. [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and payment apps. Block owns the brand, app and customer relationship while regulated partners hold deposits and issue cards under [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) arrangements. ## Products Core products include P2P payments via $cashtags, the Cash Card debit card, direct deposit and early paycheck access, savings-like balances, stock and ETF investing, Bitcoin trading and withdrawals, and adjacent services such as tax filing. Availability and regulatory packaging vary by U.S. state and product line. ## Reception Cash App is frequently ranked among the top U.S. digital finance apps by active users and payment volume. Supporters highlight accessibility for underbanked and younger customers; critics have raised concerns about fraud, account freezes and the risks of mixing payments with speculative Bitcoin trading inside a consumer money app. ## Infobox - **Type**: Product of Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) - **Industry**: Financial technology - **Launched**: 2013 - **Parent**: Block, Inc. - **Headquarters**: United States - **Model**: Partner-bank payments app ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Cash App? Cash App is a U.S. ### Where is Cash App headquartered? Cash App is headquartered in United States. ### What type of company is Cash App? Cash App is described as Partner-bank payments app in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^ca1]: Cash App is Block's consumer finance app offering payments, card, investing and Bitcoin services. — https://cash.app/ [^ca2]: Square Cash was rebranded Cash App as the product expanded beyond P2P payments. — https://investors.block.xyz/ --- # Challenger bank > A challenger bank is a newer bank that competes with incumbent retail banks, often with digital distribution; the term overlaps with neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/challenger-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking A **challenger bank** is a relatively new bank that competes with long-established retail and commercial banks for customers, typically by offering simpler products, lower fees or better digital experiences.[^cb1] In the United Kingdom the label became common after the 2008 financial crisis as regulators licensed new entrants. The term overlaps with [neobank](/wiki/neobank) but is broader: some challengers operate light branch networks or were spun from incumbents, while "neobank" usually emphasises branchless, mobile-first delivery. ## Definition "Challenger bank" is primarily a market and media term rather than a single legal category. It usually implies a newer authorised bank challenging incumbents on price, service or technology. Related labels include digital bank, internet-only bank and [neobank](/wiki/neobank). In the U.S., comparable products are often described as online banks or fintechs using [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) rather than "challengers." ## UK wave The UK produced a well-known challenger cohort in the 2010s, including [Monzo](/wiki/monzo), [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank), [Atom Bank](/wiki/atom-bank) and [Zopa Bank](/wiki/zopa-bank), alongside [Revolut](/wiki/revolut) (which began as an [electronic money institution](/wiki/electronic-money-institution) before securing a banking licence). Policy goals included more competition after the crisis and the rise of specialised bank licences. Some earlier "challengers" such as Metro Bank kept branches; later entrants were mostly app-first. ## Versus neobanks All mobile-first [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) can be described as challengers, but not every challenger is a pure neobank. Distinctions that matter on this wiki: - **Licensed challenger / neobank** — holds its own deposit-taking licence (e.g. Monzo, Starling, [Varo](/wiki/varo), [WeBank](/wiki/webank)). - **Partner-bank / front-end neobank** — owns the app and brand while a chartered [partner bank](/wiki/partner-bank) holds deposits (e.g. [Chime](/wiki/chime), [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app)). - **Payments / wallet platforms** — may dominate digital finance by users without being banks ([PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe), [GCash](/wiki/gcash), [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago)). ## Global usage Outside the UK, journalists still say "challenger bank" for digital entrants, but local vocabulary differs: internet bank in China and Korea, digital bank in Singapore and the Philippines, neobanco in parts of Latin America. Scale leaders by users are often Asian licensed internet banks and payments super-apps rather than European app challengers. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a challenger bank? A challenger bank is a newer bank that competes with incumbent retail banks, usually with simpler products or stronger digital experiences. The UK popularised the term after 2008; it overlaps with neobank but can include banks that are not strictly branchless. ### Is a challenger bank the same as a neobank? Not exactly. Neobank usually means branchless and mobile-first. Challenger bank is a broader competition label: every neobank can be called a challenger, but some challengers keep light branches or different licence paths. Partner-bank fintechs are often grouped with neobanks even when they are not banks themselves. ## References [^cb1]: Challenger bank is a common UK industry term for newer banks competing with incumbents. — https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/ --- # Chime > Chime is an American financial technology company that provides fee-free mobile banking services through partner banks. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/chime Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2013 **Chime** is an American [financial technology](/wiki/neobank) company founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. It provides fee-free mobile banking services in partnership with chartered banks rather than operating as a licensed bank itself.[^chime1] Chime is one of the largest [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) in the United States by customer count. ## History Chime was founded in 2013 by Chris Britt and Ryan King, and publicly launched in 2014. Its early growth was driven by a fee-free current account and an emphasis on serving customers underserved by traditional banks. The company popularised the "get paid early" feature, crediting direct-deposit wages up to two days ahead of schedule.[^chime2] ## Founders **[Chris Britt](/wiki/chris-britt)** is the co-founder and chief executive officer of [Chime](/wiki/chime), one of the largest U.S. [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) by customer count. Raised in Mount Vernon, New York, Britt graduated from Tulane University with a degree in history and an economics minor before beginning his career at Accenture and later working in product and general-management roles at Visa and prepaid-card company Green Dot. Those experiences shaped his view that fee-heavy retail banking left millions of working Americans poorly served. In 2013 he co-founded Chime in San Francisco to deliver fee-free mobile checking, early direct deposit and credit-building tools through partner banks—helping popularise features now common across American digital banking. **[Ryan King](/wiki/ryan-king)** is co-founder and chief technology officer of Chime. As the company's technology lead from the beginning, King built the mobile-first account experience and the systems behind Chime's signature early-payday credit, automated savings round-ups and fraud controls. Together, Britt and King scaled Chime from a prepaid-card startup into one of the most valuable U.S. consumer fintechs, emphasising transparency and accessibility over branch networks. ## Partner-bank model Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank: customer deposits are held at partner banks that provide FDIC insurance. Chime owns the brand, app and customer relationship—the classic U.S. front-end [neobank](/wiki/neobank) structure also used by peers such as [Current](/wiki/current). ## Products Chime offers a spending account with a debit card, an optional savings account with automated round-ups, a secured credit-builder card, and short-term overdraft coverage marketed as SpotMe. Deposits are held by partner banks, which provide federal deposit insurance. ## Reception Chime's growth made it one of the most valuable US fintech startups. Commentators have credited its fee transparency while noting the risks of account freezes flagged by automated fraud systems. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Industry**: Financial technology - **Founded**: 2013 - **Founders**: Chris Britt, Ryan King - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Model**: Partner-bank neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Chime? Chime is an American financial technology company that provides fee-free mobile banking services through partner banks. ### When was Chime founded? Chime was founded in 2013. ### Where is Chime headquartered? Chime is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded Chime? Chime was founded by Chris Britt, Ryan King. ### What type of company is Chime? Chime is described as Partner-bank neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^chime1]: Chime partners with chartered banks that hold customer deposits and provide deposit insurance. — https://www.chime.com/policy/partner-banks/ [^chime2]: The "get paid early" feature credits direct deposits when the payment file is received. — https://www.chime.com/get-paid-early/ --- # Chris Britt > Chris Britt is co-founder and CEO of Chime, one of the largest U.S. neobanks by customers. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/chris-britt Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Chris Britt** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Chime](/wiki/chime). Raised in Mount Vernon, New York, he co-founded Chime in 2013 to deliver fee-free mobile banking through partner banks.[^fn1] ## Career Britt graduated from Tulane University (history; economics minor), worked at Accenture, then held product and general-management roles at Visa and prepaid-card company Green Dot. Those experiences shaped his view that fee-heavy retail banking underserved working Americans. With [Ryan King](/wiki/ryan-king) he launched Chime in San Francisco around fee-free checking, early direct deposit and credit-building tools—features that became common across American digital banking. ## Chime Chris Britt is principally associated with [Chime](/wiki/chime). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Chime CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Chime - **Founded company**: 2013 - **Associated HQ**: San Francisco, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Chris Britt? Chris Britt is co-founder and CEO of Chime, one of the largest U.S. ## References [^fn1]: Chris Britt is a founder of Chime, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/chime --- # Chris Skinner > Chris Skinner is a British fintech author and commentator, founder of The Finanser blog, active on X as @chris_skinner. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/chris-skinner Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Chris Skinner** is a British author, speaker and independent commentator on digital banking and financial innovation. He founded **The Finanser** blog and has written multiple books on the future of banking; on [X](/wiki/x) he posts as **@chris_skinner**.[^cs1] He is one of the longest-running public voices on [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), [open banking](/wiki/open-banking) and bank transformation. ## Career Skinner has advised large banks and fintechs on digital strategy for decades and is a frequent conference keynote speaker. His writing bridges incumbent banking and startup [challenger](/wiki/challenger-bank) narratives. ## Media and X The Finanser and Skinner's books (including titles in the *Digital Bank* lineage) are widely cited. His X presence (**@chris_skinner**) remains a high-follower feed for digital finance commentary. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Author / commentator - **Known for**: The Finanser; Digital Bank books - **X**: @chris_skinner ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Chris Skinner? Chris Skinner is a British fintech author and commentator, founder of The Finanser blog, active on X as @chrisskinner. ## References [^cs1]: Chris Skinner founded The Finanser and writes on digital banking transformation. — https://thefinanser.com/ --- # Coinbase > Coinbase is an American cryptocurrency exchange and custody platform with consumer and institutional products. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/coinbase Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Cryptocurrency companies, Public companies, Companies founded in 2012 **Coinbase** is an American cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2012. It operates consumer trading, custody and onchain products and is frequently compared with [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) that add crypto features, though its core licence set is exchange and custody rather than a full retail bank.[^cb1] ## History Coinbase launched as an easy on-ramp to bitcoin and grew into one of the largest US-listed crypto platforms. It expanded into staking, NFT tooling, Base (an L2 network) and institutional custody. ## Founders **Brian Armstrong** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Coinbase](/wiki/coinbase). A former Airbnb engineer and entrepreneur, Armstrong co-founded Coinbase in 2012 to make buying and storing bitcoin as simple as online banking. He has led Coinbase through its growth into a major U.S.-listed crypto exchange (NASDAQ: COIN), institutional custody, staking products and the Base Layer-2 network. **Fred Ehrsam** is co-founder of Coinbase. A former Goldman Sachs foreign-exchange trader, Ehrsam partnered with Armstrong on Coinbase's early product and market strategy before later co-founding crypto venture firm Paradigm. Their combination of engineering and markets expertise helped establish Coinbase as a mainstream on-ramp to digital assets. ## Reception Coinbase is the most visible U.S.-listed crypto exchange and a primary fiat on-ramp. Debit and spending experiments overlap [neobank](/wiki/neobank) features, but regulation, listings and custody remain its core public narrative. ## Products Consumer apps for spot trading and wallets, Coinbase Prime for institutions, custody, and developer tooling. Debit and spending products have appeared in partnership with card networks and banks in selected markets. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NASDAQ: COIN) - **Founded**: 2012 - **Founders**: Brian Armstrong, Fred Ehrsam - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Focus**: Crypto exchange / custody ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Coinbase? Coinbase is an American cryptocurrency exchange and custody platform with consumer and institutional products. ### When was Coinbase founded? Coinbase was founded in 2012. ### Where is Coinbase headquartered? Coinbase is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded Coinbase? Coinbase was founded by Brian Armstrong, Fred Ehrsam. ### What type of company is Coinbase? Coinbase is described as Public (NASDAQ: COIN) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^cb1]: Coinbase Global, Inc. is a publicly traded cryptocurrency exchange and custody provider. --- # Colin Walsh > Colin Walsh founded Varo and steered it to one of the first U.S. consumer fintech national bank charters. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/colin-walsh Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Colin Walsh** is founder of [Varo](/wiki/varo). A career consumer banker, he founded Varo in San Francisco in 2015 around financial inclusion and fee-light mobile banking.[^fn1] ## Career Walsh led Varo through the OCC national-bank charter process so the company could take deposits directly rather than remain indefinitely on a [partner-bank](/wiki/partner-bank) model. Products include mobile checking, high-yield savings and small-dollar advances. ## Varo Colin Walsh is principally associated with [Varo](/wiki/varo). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Varo founder - **Company**: Varo - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: San Francisco, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Colin Walsh? Colin Walsh founded Varo and steered it to one of the first U.S. ## References [^fn1]: Colin Walsh is a founder of Varo, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/varo --- # Cristina Junqueira > Cristina Junqueira is co-founder of Nubank and a prominent Latin American fintech executive. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/cristina-junqueira Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Cristina Junqueira** is co-founder of [Nubank](/wiki/nubank). A Brazilian engineer formerly at Itaú Unibanco, she helped design Nubank's mass-market consumer product and growth model.[^fn1] ## Career Junqueira partnered with [David Vélez](/wiki/david-velez) and Edward Wible to scale Nubank from a credit card into one of the world's largest digital banks, and has been a public voice for Latin American fintech. ## Nubank Cristina Junqueira is principally associated with [Nubank](/wiki/nubank). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Nubank co-founder - **Company**: Nubank - **Founded company**: 2013 - **Associated HQ**: São Paulo, Brazil ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Cristina Junqueira? Cristina Junqueira is co-founder of Nubank and a prominent Latin American fintech executive. ## References [^fn1]: Cristina Junqueira is a founder of Nubank, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/nubank --- # Current > Current is an American neobank offering mobile banking, early payday and teen accounts through partner banks. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/current Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Current** is an American [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2015 and based in New York City. It provides mobile checking and savings accounts, debit cards and family/teen banking through partner banks rather than its own charter.[^current1] ## History Current launched with a focus on fee-transparent mobile banking and later emphasised early direct-deposit payday and household accounts that let parents supervise teens' spending. Growth has been concentrated among younger US consumers. ## Founders **Stuart Sopp** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Current](/wiki/current), the New York-based American [neobank](/wiki/neobank). A former Wall Street trader with experience across multiple global institutions, Sopp co-founded Current in 2015 to rebuild mobile banking for consumers he believed traditional banks underserved—especially younger households. He has emphasised owning core banking technology rather than renting every layer of the stack. **Trevor Marshall** is co-founder and chief technology officer. Marshall partnered with Sopp to design Current's product and infrastructure, including early work on proprietary core systems used for spending accounts, early payday, rewards and family/teen banking supervised by parents. ## Business model Current operates as a partner-bank [neobank](/wiki/neobank): it owns the consumer app and brand while chartered banks hold deposits and provide FDIC insurance. Revenue typically comes from interchange, premium features and credit-adjacent products. The company has invested in proprietary core technology to differentiate from peers that outsource more of the stack. ## Reception Current competes with [Chime](/wiki/chime) and [Varo](/wiki/varo) for younger U.S. customers seeking early payday, low fees and family accounts. Press coverage emphasises Gen Z adoption and the build-vs-buy debate in neobank infrastructure. ## Products Products include a spending account with debit card, savings goals, overdraft advances, rewards and multi-account family setups. Deposits are held at partner banks with federal deposit insurance. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Stuart Sopp, Trevor Marshall - **Headquarters**: New York, U.S. - **Model**: Partner-bank neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Current? Current is an American neobank offering mobile banking, early payday and teen accounts through partner banks. ### When was Current founded? Current was founded in 2015. ### Where is Current headquartered? Current is headquartered in New York, U.S.. ### Who founded Current? Current was founded by Stuart Sopp, Trevor Marshall. ### What type of company is Current? Current is described as Partner-bank neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^current1]: Current is a financial technology company; banking services are provided by partner banks. — https://current.com/ --- # David Vélez > David Vélez is co-founder and CEO of Nubank (Nu Holdings), one of the world's largest digital banks by customers. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/david-velez Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **David Vélez** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Nubank](/wiki/nubank). A Colombian entrepreneur and former Sequoia Capital investor, he co-founded Nubank in São Paulo in 2013.[^fn1] ## Career Vélez moved to Brazil after seeing how concentrated, high-fee banking limited access across Latin America. With [Cristina Junqueira](/wiki/cristina-junqueira) and Edward Wible he launched a no-fee purple credit card managed by app, later expanding into NuConta, lending and a multi-country NYSE-listed franchise. ## Nubank David Vélez is principally associated with [Nubank](/wiki/nubank). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Nubank CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Nubank - **Founded company**: 2013 - **Associated HQ**: São Paulo, Brazil ## Frequently asked questions ### What is David Vélez? David Vélez is co-founder and CEO of Nubank (Nu Holdings), one of the world's largest digital banks by customers. ## References [^fn1]: David Vélez is a founder of Nubank, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/nubank --- # Defidotapp > Defidotapp is a mobile DeFi trading and portfolio app with wallet import and multichain features. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/defidotapp Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Global fintech, Self-custody finance, Cryptocurrency companies **Defidotapp** (DeFi Dot App) is a mobile application for DeFi trading and portfolio management. It emphasises wallet import, multichain balances and an exchange-like interface while remaining in the self-custody crypto stack alongside peers such as [Infinex](/wiki/infinex).[^dda1] ## History Defidotapp entered a crowded field of mobile DeFi front ends competing on speed, wallet UX and trading feature depth rather than on banking licences. ## Founders **Dan Greer** is founder and chief executive officer of [Defidotapp](/wiki/defidotapp) (DeFi App), a mobile DeFi trading and portfolio super-app. A serial entrepreneur and Y Combinator alumnus with prior experience at Shopify and earlier crypto trading products, Greer launched DeFi App to deliver an exchange-like experience—swaps, perps, portfolio tools—while users retain self-custody. Greer's product thesis emphasises chain abstraction, passkeys/biometrics and removing gas and bridge friction so decentralised finance can feel as approachable as a centralised brokerage. The project has raised venture funding (including Mechanism Capital) and competes with other self-custody interfaces such as [Infinex](/wiki/infinex). ## Reception Defidotapp markets a Robinhood-like DeFi interface with chain abstraction and self-custody. It competes with [Infinex](/wiki/infinex) and other wallet super-apps for traders who want CEX-like UX onchain. ## Products Portfolio tracking, wallet import/connect, swaps and trading workflows across supported networks. Users retain custody through connected wallets. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2024 - **Founder**: Dan Greer - **Type**: App / protocol front end - **Headquarters**: Canada - **Model**: Self-custody DeFi app - **Focus**: Trade / portfolio ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Defidotapp? Defidotapp is a mobile DeFi trading and portfolio app with wallet import and multichain features. ### When was Defidotapp founded? Defidotapp was founded in 2024. ### Where is Defidotapp headquartered? Defidotapp is headquartered in Canada. ### Who founded Defidotapp? Defidotapp was founded by Dan Greer. ### What type of company is Defidotapp? Defidotapp is described as Self-custody DeFi app in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^dda1]: Defidotapp is a crypto application layer; it is not a licensed bank. --- # Duena Blomstrom > Duena Blomstrom is a banking culture and digital transformation author (Emotional Banking); active on X covering bank UX and change. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/duena-blomstrom Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Duena Blomstrom** is a banking culture author, speaker and entrepreneur known for *Emotional Banking* and commentary on why digital transformation fails when people and incentives are ignored.[^db1] On [X](/wiki/x) she is a pointed voice on bank UX, [challenger](/wiki/challenger-bank) competition and organisational change. ## Career Blomstrom has worked across banking technology and advisory, arguing that emotional and cultural factors—not only apps—decide whether incumbents can respond to [neobanks](/wiki/neobank). ## Media and X Her writing and X presence complement [Leda Glyptis](/wiki/leda-glyptis) on transformation culture and contrast with pure product-news or [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) regulatory feeds. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Author / speaker - **Known for**: Emotional Banking - **Focus**: Bank culture / UX / transformation ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Duena Blomstrom? Duena Blomstrom is a banking culture and digital transformation author (Emotional Banking); active on X covering bank UX and change. ## References [^db1]: Duena Blomstrom authored Emotional Banking and speaks on banking culture and digital change. — https://www.duenablomstrom.com/ --- # Electronic money institution > An electronic money institution (EMI) is a regulated firm that issues electronic money and payment accounts without a full bank charter. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/electronic-money-institution Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking An **electronic money institution** (**EMI**) is a firm authorised to issue electronic money and operate payment accounts under specialised payments regulation rather than a full deposit-taking bank licence.[^emi1] In the UK and EU, many early [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and fintechs—including [Wise](/wiki/wise) and early [Revolut](/wiki/revolut)—operated as EMIs before or instead of becoming banks. ## Overview EMIs hold customer funds as electronic money, typically safeguarded (segregated) rather than used for balance-sheet lending like a bank. They can offer IBANs/payment accounts, cards and FX, but face limits on deposit-like products and credit compared with licensed banks. ## Versus banks and partner banks A licensed [neobank](/wiki/neobank) such as [Monzo](/wiki/monzo) takes deposits and can lend. An EMI issues e-money. A [partner-bank](/wiki/partner-bank) fintech may own the app while a bank or EMI sits underneath. Customers often experience these models similarly inside a mobile app. ## Examples [Wise](/wiki/wise) is a canonical multi-currency EMI-style business. [Qonto](/wiki/qonto) and other European business finance apps have used e-money or specialised licences. Some firms upgrade from EMI to bank status over time ([Revolut](/wiki/revolut)). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Electronic money institution? An electronic money institution (EMI) is a regulated firm that issues electronic money and payment accounts without a full bank charter. ## References [^emi1]: Electronic money institutions are authorised under EU/UK e-money and payments rules to issue electronic money. — https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/electronic-money-payment-institutions --- # Elon Musk > Elon Musk acquired Twitter, rebranded it to X, and launched X Money; he earlier founded X.com, which merged into PayPal. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/elon-musk Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Elon Musk** is the owner of [X](/wiki/x) (formerly Twitter) and the executive driving its shift from a social network into an "everything app" with **X Money**—in-app payments, balances and a debit card. His fintech story on this wiki is a straight line: he founded **X.com** in the late 1990s, that company merged into [PayPal](/wiki/paypal), he later bought Twitter, renamed it X, and introduced X Money as the money layer of the brand.[^fn1] ## X.com and PayPal Musk founded **X.com**, an online finance company, which merged with Confinity to form PayPal. That puts him in the early PayPal founding group alongside [Max Levchin](/wiki/max-levchin) and others—the so-called PayPal Mafia. The X.com name and domain later became symbolic when he reclaimed them for the Twitter rebrand. ## Twitter takeover and rebrand to X In 2022 Musk acquired Twitter, took it private, and rebranded the product to **X**. Original Twitter co-founders include [Jack Dorsey](/wiki/jack-dorsey), Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evan Williams; Musk is not an original Twitter founder, but became the controlling owner after the buyout. He framed X as an everything app combining social, messaging, commerce and financial services—reviving the payments ambition associated with the original X.com. ## X Money **X Money** is the concrete fintech outcome of that strategy: a banking-adjacent product inside the X app. After beta access, it rolled out in 2026 to U.S. Premium subscribers with P2P transfers, deposit balances (advertised high APY for eligible tiers), early direct deposit, cash back, and an X Visa debit card. Funds are delivered through partner-bank / licence arrangements rather than X holding a classic national bank charter—comparable in structure to other U.S. front-end [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and payment apps such as [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app). See [X](/wiki/x) for product and licensing detail. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Entrepreneur / X owner - **Known for**: X / X Money; X.com → PayPal - **Company**: X (X Corp) - **Twitter acquisition**: 2022 - **X Money rollout**: 2026 (U.S. Premium) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Elon Musk? Elon Musk acquired Twitter, rebranded it to X, and launched X Money; he earlier founded X.com, which merged into PayPal. ## References [^fn1]: Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, rebranded it to X, and launched X Money as an in-app finance product; he earlier founded X.com, which merged into PayPal. — https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/28/elon-musks-x-money-app-is-rolling-out-in-the-u-s/ --- # Embedded finance > Embedded finance is the distribution of financial products inside non-financial apps and platforms via APIs and partners. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/embedded-finance Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking **Embedded finance** is the practice of offering financial products—payments, accounts, cards, lending or insurance—inside a non-bank product experience such as a marketplace, ride-hail app or SaaS tool.[^ef1] It overlaps with [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) on the supply side and with [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) when the host brand owns the customer relationship. ## Overview Instead of sending users to a bank, platforms embed checkout lending ([Klarna](/wiki/klarna)), wallets ([Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago)), or bank accounts ([Bank Jago](/wiki/bank-jago) inside Gojek). Technology providers and licensed banks supply the regulated rails; the platform supplies distribution. ## Examples Examples include [Stripe](/wiki/stripe) treasury/payments for software platforms, marketplace wallets such as [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago), telecom mobile money such as [M-Pesa](/wiki/m-pesa), and corporate-card embeds from [Brex](/wiki/brex) or [Ramp](/wiki/ramp) inside spend workflows. ## Relation to neobanks Many front-end [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) are embedded-finance companies whose "platform" is their own app. Others are pure embeds with no standalone bank brand. Both rely on licences, [partner banks](/wiki/partner-bank) or [electronic money](/wiki/electronic-money-institution) permissions. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Embedded finance? Embedded finance is the distribution of financial products inside non-financial apps and platforms via APIs and partners. ## References [^ef1]: Embedded finance distributes regulated financial products inside non-bank customer journeys. — https://www.bis.org/fsi/publ/insights28.pdf --- # EQ Bank > EQ Bank is a Canadian digital bank brand of Equitable Bank offering high-interest deposits and everyday banking. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/eq-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Canada neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies **EQ Bank** is the digital banking brand of **Equitable Bank**, a Canadian schedule I bank. It offers high-interest savings, payments and related products through an online/mobile experience without a branch network for EQ-branded retail customers.[^eq1] ## History Equitable Bank launched the EQ Bank brand to gather retail deposits digitally, competing on rate and simplicity in Canada’s concentrated banking market.[^eq2] ## Company EQ Bank is a brand of Equitable Bank, a publicly traded Canadian bank with professional management—not a venture [neobank](/wiki/neobank) startup. ## Licence Deposits are held at Equitable Bank, a licensed Canadian bank with CDIC protection on eligible deposits. ## Products Products include savings accounts, GICs, everyday banking features, international transfers and notice accounts marketed through the EQ Bank digital channels. ## Infobox - **Type**: Brand of Equitable Bank (TSX) - **Headquarters**: Toronto, Canada - **Model**: Licensed digital bank brand ## Frequently asked questions ### What is EQ Bank? EQ Bank is a Canadian digital bank brand of Equitable Bank offering high-interest deposits and everyday banking. ### Where is EQ Bank headquartered? EQ Bank is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. ### What type of company is EQ Bank? EQ Bank is described as Licensed digital bank brand in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^eq1]: EQ Bank is Equitable Bank's digital banking brand. — https://www.eqbank.ca/ [^eq2]: EQ Bank competes in Canada on digital deposits and rates. — https://www.equitablebank.ca/ --- # Eric Glyman > Eric Glyman is co-founder and CEO of Ramp, the U.S. corporate spend and card platform. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/eric-glyman Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Eric Glyman** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Ramp](/wiki/ramp). He co-founded Ramp in 2019 with Karim Atiyeh to automate business spend and savings.[^fn1] ## Career Glyman scaled Ramp as a corporate-card and expense competitor to [Brex](/wiki/brex), emphasising software that finds savings rather than only rewards points. ## Ramp Eric Glyman is principally associated with [Ramp](/wiki/ramp). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Ramp CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Ramp - **Founded company**: 2019 - **Associated HQ**: United States ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Eric Glyman? Eric Glyman is co-founder and CEO of Ramp, the U.S. ## References [^fn1]: Eric Glyman is a founder of Ramp, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/ramp --- # GCash > GCash is a Philippine mobile wallet and digital finance app operated by Mynt, and one of Southeast Asia's largest fintech platforms by users. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/gcash Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Philippines neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Companies founded in 2004 **GCash** is a Philippine mobile wallet and digital financial services app operated by **Mynt** (Globe Fintech Innovations), a joint venture historically involving Globe Telecom, Ayala and Ant Group. It provides payments, remittances, credit, savings and investments to tens of millions of users and is one of Southeast Asia's largest consumer fintech platforms.[^gc1] ## History GCash began as a Globe Telecom mobile-money service and was later scaled under Mynt as a full consumer finance super-app. Partnership capital from Ayala and Ant Group (Alipay) supported product expansion and technology. Growth tracked the Philippines' shift from cash to QR and e-wallet payments, making GCash a default money app for many Filipinos.[^gc2] ## Ownership and leadership GCash is owned through **Mynt**, not a classic venture-backed [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founding trio. Strategic shareholders have included Globe Telecom, Ayala Corporation and Ant Group. Professional management teams drawn from telecom, banking and fintech run day-to-day operations; public narrative emphasises financial inclusion and the Alipay-inspired wallet playbook adapted for the Philippines. ## Model and licences GCash operates primarily as an e-money issuer and financial-services platform under Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas rules, partnering with banks and lenders for deposit, credit and investment products. The model resembles other Southeast Asian wallets ([Maya](/wiki/list-of-neobanks), GoPay, GrabPay) more than a UK-style licensed challenger bank, though Mynt has pursued broader digital-banking capabilities over time. ## Products The app supports cash-in/cash-out, P2P transfers, QR payments, bills and remittances, GCredit and other lending products, savings and investment distributions, and merchant acceptance. International remittance corridors are strategically important for overseas Filipino workers. ## Reception GCash is frequently listed among the world's largest digital finance apps by user count and is the headline Southeast Asian name missing from Western-centric [neobank](/wiki/neobank) lists. It competes fiercely with Maya and bank-owned wallets; regulators watch e-money float, lending practices and consumer protection as wallet balances become everyday transactional accounts. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private (Mynt) - **Industry**: Mobile wallet / fintech - **Launched**: 2004 (scaled as super-app later) - **Operator**: Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations) - **Headquarters**: Philippines - **Focus**: Wallet, payments, credit ## Frequently asked questions ### What is GCash? GCash is a Philippine mobile wallet and digital finance app operated by Mynt, and one of Southeast Asia's largest fintech platforms by users. ### Where is GCash headquartered? GCash is headquartered in Philippines. ### What type of company is GCash? GCash is described as Private (Mynt) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^gc1]: GCash is Mynt's flagship Philippine mobile wallet and digital finance app. — https://www.gcash.com/ [^gc2]: Mynt has been backed by Globe, Ayala and Ant Group to scale GCash. — https://www.globe.com.ph/ --- # George Bevis > George Bevis founded Tide, the UK business neobank for freelancers and SMEs. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/george-bevis Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **George Bevis** is founder of [Tide](/wiki/tide). A former product leader at Zopa, Barclaycard, RBS and Capital One, he launched Tide in 2015.[^fn1] ## Career Bevis built Tide as a mobile-first business current account and expense platform on a partner-bank / e-money model. Oliver Prill later became CEO to scale UK SME share and international footprints. ## Tide George Bevis is principally associated with [Tide](/wiki/tide). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Tide founder - **Company**: Tide - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: London, United Kingdom ## Frequently asked questions ### What is George Bevis? George Bevis founded Tide, the UK business neobank for freelancers and SMEs. ## References [^fn1]: George Bevis is a founder of Tide, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/tide --- # Henrique Dubugras > Henrique Dubugras is co-founder of Brex, the U.S. corporate-card and business-banking fintech. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/henrique-dubugras Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Henrique Dubugras** is co-founder of [Brex](/wiki/brex). A Brazilian entrepreneur, he co-founded Brex with Pedro Franceschi to underwrite startup corporate cards on venture metrics.[^fn1] ## Career Dubugras and Franceschi previously built a payments company as teenagers. Brex became a defining U.S. startup finance brand alongside [Mercury](/wiki/mercury) and [Ramp](/wiki/ramp). ## Brex Henrique Dubugras is principally associated with [Brex](/wiki/brex). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Brex co-founder - **Company**: Brex - **Founded company**: 2017 - **Associated HQ**: United States ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Henrique Dubugras? Henrique Dubugras is co-founder of Brex, the U.S. ## References [^fn1]: Henrique Dubugras is a founder of Brex, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/brex --- # Immad Akhund > Immad Akhund is co-founder and CEO of Mercury, the U.S. startup-focused business neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/immad-akhund Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Immad Akhund** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Mercury](/wiki/mercury). A serial entrepreneur from Pakistan/UK, he co-founded Mercury in 2017 after experiencing slow startup banking at prior companies.[^fn1] ## Career Akhund previously worked with Max Tagher and Jason Zhang at Heyzap. Mercury launched to give venture-backed startups fast onboarding, multi-user permissions, wires and treasury via [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) partner banks—becoming a default brand for U.S. technology companies. ## Mercury Immad Akhund is principally associated with [Mercury](/wiki/mercury). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Mercury CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Mercury - **Founded company**: 2017 - **Associated HQ**: San Francisco, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Immad Akhund? Immad Akhund is co-founder and CEO of Mercury, the U.S. ## References [^fn1]: Immad Akhund is a founder of Mercury, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/mercury --- # Infinex > Infinex is a self-custodial DeFi super-app wallet with passkeys, multichain trading and perps. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/infinex Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Global fintech, Self-custody finance, Cryptocurrency companies, Super-app neobanks **Infinex** is a self-custodial crypto "super-app" wallet designed to feel closer to a centralised exchange while users keep keys. It uses passkeys, gas abstraction and aggregated swaps, bridges and perpetuals across many chains.[^inx1] ## History Infinex emerged from teams connected to the Synthetix ecosystem with a thesis that UX fragmentation—not missing protocols—blocks mainstream onchain finance. It competes with other wallet super-apps such as [Defidotapp](/wiki/defidotapp). ## Founders **Kain Warwick** is the founder of [Infinex](/wiki/infinex), a self-custodial DeFi super-app, and previously founded Synthetix, one of decentralised finance's foundational protocols. An Australian entrepreneur, Warwick launched Synthetix in 2017 (evolving from earlier projects) to enable onchain synthetic assets and later popularised yield-farming mechanics associated with "DeFi Summer." With Infinex (founded 2023), Warwick's thesis is that UX fragmentation—not missing protocols—blocks mainstream onchain finance. Infinex aims to replace centralised exchanges as users' primary crypto interface via passkeys, gas abstraction, aggregated swaps/bridges and perpetuals while keeping self-custody—competing in the wallet super-app category alongside products such as [Defidotapp](/wiki/defidotapp). ## Reception Infinex attracts attention as Kain Warwick's UX-focused follow-on to Synthetix—betting that passkeys and aggregation can make DeFi feel like a centralised exchange while preserving self-custody. ## Products Passkey accounts, multichain portfolio, Swidge (swap/bridge aggregation), perpetuals integrations, earn vaults and browser-extension access to dapps. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2023 - **Founder**: Kain Warwick - **Type**: Protocol / app - **Headquarters**: Cayman Islands - **Model**: Self-custody DeFi super-app - **Focus**: Wallet, trade, earn ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Infinex? Infinex is a self-custodial DeFi super-app wallet with passkeys, multichain trading and perps. ### When was Infinex founded? Infinex was founded in 2023. ### Where is Infinex headquartered? Infinex is headquartered in Cayman Islands. ### Who founded Infinex? Infinex was founded by Kain Warwick. ### What type of company is Infinex? Infinex is described as Self-custody DeFi super-app in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^inx1]: Infinex is a non-custodial application layer; it is not a licensed bank. --- # Ingrid Lunden > Ingrid Lunden is a TechCrunch editor and reporter covering fintech, startups and European tech; active on X as @ingridlunden. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/ingrid-lunden Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Ingrid Lunden** is a journalist and editor at **TechCrunch**, covering startups, fintech and European technology.[^il1] On [X](/wiki/x) (**@ingridlunden**) she is a primary beat reporter for funding, M&A and product news affecting [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), payments companies and global fintech. ## Career Lunden has reported for TechCrunch for many years, with a focus on international startups and financial technology. Her stories are often the first public write-ups of funding rounds and regulatory moments that later appear in industry newsletters. ## Media and X **@ingridlunden** and TechCrunch pieces sit on the news side of the ecosystem—complementing analytical newsletters such as [Fintech Takes](/wiki/alex-johnson) and [Fintech Business Weekly](/wiki/jason-mikula). ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Journalist / editor - **Outlet**: TechCrunch - **X**: @ingridlunden ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Ingrid Lunden? Ingrid Lunden is a TechCrunch editor and reporter covering fintech, startups and European tech; active on X as @ingridlunden. ## References [^il1]: Ingrid Lunden covers fintech and startups for TechCrunch. — https://techcrunch.com/author/ingrid-lunden/ --- # Inter > Inter is a Brazilian digital bank and financial services company offering retail banking, investing and credit. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/inter Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Brazil neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 1994 **Inter** (Banco Inter) is a Brazilian [digital bank](/wiki/neobank) and financial-services company headquartered in Belo Horizonte. It offers checking and payments, credit cards, lending, investments and insurance through a mobile-first platform and is one of Brazil’s largest publicly listed digital banks alongside [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) and [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank).[^i1] ## History Inter originated as a traditional mid-market bank that reinvented itself as a digital bank in the mid-2010s, listing shares and expanding into a multi-product finance app. Growth tracked Brazil’s rapid shift to PIX instant payments and fee-sensitive retail banking.[^i2] ## Leadership Inter is associated with the **Ribeiro** family and professional banking management that drove the digital transformation. Public reporting emphasises the listed company (Inter & Co) and its Brazilian banking licence rather than a Silicon Valley–style founding myth. ## Licence Inter operates as a licensed Brazilian bank, taking deposits and issuing credit on its own balance sheet—unlike partner-bank [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) common in the United States. ## Products Products include free digital checking, debit and credit cards, personal and SME credit, brokerage and fund investing, insurance distribution and shopping marketplace features wrapped into the Inter app. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NASDAQ: INTR) - **Founded**: 1994 (digital pivot mid-2010s) - **Headquarters**: Belo Horizonte, Brazil - **Model**: Licensed digital bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Inter? Inter is a Brazilian digital bank and financial services company offering retail banking, investing and credit. ### When was Inter founded? Inter was founded in 1994 (digital pivot mid-2010s). ### Where is Inter headquartered? Inter is headquartered in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. ### What type of company is Inter? Inter is described as Licensed digital bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^i1]: Inter is a Brazilian digital bank listed via Inter & Co. — https://inter.co/ [^i2]: Inter expanded from banking into a multi-product digital finance platform. — https://investors.inter.co/ --- # Jack Dorsey > Jack Dorsey co-founded Block, Inc. (Cash App / Square) and Twitter (now X). Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/jack-dorsey Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Jack Dorsey** is co-founder of Block (parent of Cash App) and co-founder of Twitter/X of [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app). Through Block he positioned Cash App as a leading U.S. consumer finance app alongside seller payments (Square).[^fn1] ## Career Dorsey co-founded Twitter (now [X](/wiki/x)) with Noah Glass, Biz Stone and Evan Williams, and co-founded Square/Block with Jim McKelvey. Cash App grew from Square Cash into P2P payments, debit card, investing and Bitcoin products delivered with [partner banks](/wiki/partner-bank). In 2022 [Elon Musk](/wiki/elon-musk) acquired Twitter and rebranded it to X. ## Cash App Jack Dorsey is principally associated with [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Block / Cash App; Twitter co-founder - **Company**: Cash App - **Founded company**: 2009 (Square); 2013 (Cash App) - **Associated HQ**: United States ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Jack Dorsey? Jack Dorsey co-founded Block, Inc. ## References [^fn1]: Jack Dorsey is a founder of Cash App, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/cash-app --- # Jason Mikula > Jason Mikula is a fintech analyst and the author of Banking as a Service; he publishes Fintech Business Weekly and is active on X as @mikulaja. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/jason-mikula Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech, Banking as a service **Jason Mikula** is an American fintech analyst, advisor and author based in Amsterdam. He publishes the newsletter **Fintech Business Weekly**, hosts the Fintech Business Podcast, and is widely known on [X](/wiki/x) as **@mikulaja**—including for the bio line that he "literally wrote the book on BaaS."[^jm1] That book, *Banking as a Service: Opportunities, Challenges, and Risks of New Banking Business Models* (Kogan Page, 2024), is a standard reference on [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) business models and regulation. ## Career Before independent media and advisory work, Mikula spent more than a decade building consumer finance businesses, including roles at **Enova**, **LendUp** and **Goldman Sachs** (Marcus). He later advised banks, fintechs, technology vendors, investors and regulators, and invested in early-stage companies. He also served as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and studied at the University of Chicago. ## Banking as a Service (book) Mikula's 2024 book *Banking as a Service* (Kogan Page) maps BaaS origins, operating models (interchange, deposit gathering, API-first, own-licence, matchmaking and others), stakeholder economics and regulatory risk across markets. Case material covers programmes and firms such as Unit, Synapse, Railsr, Solaris, [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) and [Airwallex](/wiki/airwallex). Industry commentary often cites him as the go-to independent voice on sponsor-bank and middleware failures—including coverage of the Synapse collapse—matching his on-X self-description that he literally wrote the book on BaaS. ## Media and X **Fintech Business Weekly** is a paid/free newsletter analysing banking, fintech and crypto without "fear or favor." The **Fintech Business Podcast** includes recurring **Fintech Recap** episodes with [Alex Johnson](/wiki/alex-johnson). On X (**@mikulaja**), Mikula posts regulatory filings, programme post-mortems and dry commentary aimed at operators and policymakers. ## Focus topics Primary beats include [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service), [partner banks](/wiki/partner-bank), [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance), consumer lending compliance, deposit programmes and the boundary between [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and fintech front ends. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech analyst / author - **Known for**: Fintech Business Weekly; BaaS book - **X**: @mikulaja - **Based in**: Amsterdam, Netherlands - **Notable work**: Banking as a Service (2024) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Jason Mikula? Jason Mikula is a fintech analyst and the author of Banking as a Service; he publishes Fintech Business Weekly and is active on X as @mikulaja. ## References [^jm1]: Jason Mikula publishes Fintech Business Weekly and wrote Banking as a Service (Kogan Page, 2024). — https://fintechbusinessweekly.substack.com/about --- # Jim Marous > Jim Marous is a digital banking publisher and speaker, co-publisher of The Financial Brand and host of Banking Transformed; active on X as @jimmarous. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/jim-marous Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Jim Marous** is an American digital banking publisher, speaker and influencer. He is co-publisher of **The Financial Brand**, owner of the **Digital Banking Report**, and host of the **Banking Transformed** podcast.[^jm2] On [X](/wiki/x) (**@jimmarous**) he is among the most-followed voices on retail banking innovation, [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and digital transformation. ## Career Marous built a media franchise aimed at bank executives covering fintech partnerships, customer experience and digital delivery. The Financial Brand and Digital Banking Report are staples of U.S. banking conference and board-level reading lists. ## Media and X **@jimmarous** amplifies product launches, research and conference themes. His feed skews practitioner and incumbent-bank audiences more than investigative [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) programme coverage. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Publisher / podcaster - **Known for**: The Financial Brand; Banking Transformed - **X**: @jimmarous ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Jim Marous? Jim Marous is a digital banking publisher and speaker, co-publisher of The Financial Brand and host of Banking Transformed; active on X as @jimmarous. ## References [^jm2]: Jim Marous co-publishes The Financial Brand and hosts Banking Transformed. — https://thefinancialbrand.com/ --- # Jitendra Gupta > Jitendra Gupta is founder and CEO of Jupiter, the Indian consumer neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/jitendra-gupta Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Jitendra Gupta** is founder and chief executive officer of [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter). A chartered accountant and former ICICI banker, he built Jupiter after prior payments ventures.[^fn1] ## Career Gupta positioned Jupiter as a mobile-first savings and payments experience for urban Indians via partner-bank arrangements, competing in India's crowded digital finance market alongside [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe) and [Paytm](/wiki/paytm). ## Jupiter Jitendra Gupta is principally associated with [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Jupiter founder / CEO - **Company**: Jupiter - **Founded company**: 2019 - **Associated HQ**: Mumbai, India ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Jitendra Gupta? Jitendra Gupta is founder and CEO of Jupiter, the Indian consumer neobank. ## References [^fn1]: Jitendra Gupta is a founder of Jupiter, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/jupiter --- # John Collison > John Collison is co-founder and president of Stripe. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/john-collison Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **John Collison** is co-founder and president of [Stripe](/wiki/stripe). He co-founded Stripe with his brother [Patrick Collison](/wiki/patrick-collison) and is a leading public voice for internet economic infrastructure.[^fn1] ## Career John Collison has helped set Stripe's product and culture as the company scaled global payments, financial services for platforms and developer tools adjacent to banking rails. ## Stripe John Collison is principally associated with [Stripe](/wiki/stripe). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Stripe president / co-founder - **Company**: Stripe - **Founded company**: 2010 - **Associated HQ**: San Francisco, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is John Collison? John Collison is co-founder and president of Stripe. ## References [^fn1]: John Collison is a founder of Stripe, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/stripe --- # Jupiter > Jupiter is an Indian neobank offering salary accounts, savings and investments through partner banks. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/jupiter Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, India neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2019 **Jupiter** is an Indian [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2019 and based in Mumbai. It offers mobile salary accounts, savings and investment features in partnership with licensed Indian banks.[^jup1] ## History Jupiter launched amid a wave of Indian fintechs building on UPI payments rails and partner-bank deposits. It targeted salaried urban customers with app-native budgeting and rewards. ## Founders **Jitendra Gupta** is the founder and chief executive officer of [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter), the Mumbai-based Indian [neobank](/wiki/neobank). A chartered accountant and fintech veteran, Gupta spent seven years at ICICI Bank before co-founding payments company Citrus Pay in 2010. After Naspers-owned PayU acquired Citrus Pay for about $130 million in 2016—one of India's landmark fintech exits—he served as managing director of PayU India's consumer business and helped build LazyPay. In 2019 Gupta founded Jupiter to create a mobile-first banking experience for Indian millennials via partner banks on UPI rails—offering salary accounts, savings pots, debit cards and investing features co-created with users and backed by leading venture investors. ## Partner-bank model in India Indian regulations generally require [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) to partner with scheduled commercial banks for deposits. Jupiter follows that model while building a millennial-focused app on UPI rails—salary accounts, pots, debit cards and investing—rather than seeking a full bank licence of its own. ## Reception Jupiter benefits from founder Jitendra Gupta's Citrus Pay/PayU track record. Coverage emphasises co-created product culture and competition with other Indian digital banking apps and incumbent super-apps. ## Products The app includes savings accounts, debit cards, pots/goals, mutual-fund investing and salary-account features. Banking is delivered via partner banks under Indian regulations. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founder**: Jitendra Gupta - **Headquarters**: Mumbai, India - **Model**: Partner-bank neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Jupiter? Jupiter is an Indian neobank offering salary accounts, savings and investments through partner banks. ### When was Jupiter founded? Jupiter was founded in 2019. ### Where is Jupiter headquartered? Jupiter is headquartered in Mumbai, India. ### Who founded Jupiter? Jupiter was founded by Jitendra Gupta. ### What type of company is Jupiter? Jupiter is described as Partner-bank neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^jup1]: Indian neobanks typically partner with scheduled commercial banks for deposit accounts. — https://jupiter.money/ --- # KakaoBank > KakaoBank is a South Korean internet-only bank affiliated with the Kakao ecosystem. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/kakaobank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, South Korea neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2016 **KakaoBank** is a South Korean licensed internet-only [neobank](/wiki/neobank) launched in 2017. Affiliated with the Kakao messaging and commerce ecosystem, it became one of the country's largest digital banks by customers and later listed publicly.[^kakao1] ## History KakaoBank opened as one of South Korea's first specialised internet banks, leveraging KakaoTalk distribution to acquire customers rapidly. It listed on the Korea Exchange in 2021. ## Founders [KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank) was established in 2016 as a consortium-backed internet-only bank rather than a classic dual-founder startup. Major founding shareholders included **Kakao Corp** (the KakaoTalk messaging giant) and **Korea Investment Holdings**, combining distribution reach with financial-industry sponsorship under South Korea's specialised internet-bank regime. Early leadership featured co-CEOs **Lee Yong-woo** (이용우), drawn from the Korea Investment side with a capital-markets background, and **Yun Ho-young** (윤호영), from Kakao's mobile-bank task force with experience bridging ICT and financial services. Yun later continued as chief executive as KakaoBank used KakaoTalk acquisition channels to become one of Korea's largest digital banks and list on the Korea Exchange in 2021. ## Internet-only bank KakaoBank is a specialised internet-only bank under South Korean regulation, distinct from branch-based incumbents. Affiliation with Kakao's messaging ecosystem enabled rapid customer acquisition; the company listed on the Korea Exchange in 2021. ## Reception KakaoBank is one of Asia's most prominent digital banks by customers and market capitalisation. Observers credit KakaoTalk distribution while watching competition from other Korean internet banks and platform fintechs. ## Products Products include deposit accounts, transfers, loans, debit cards and securities-related offerings delivered through a mobile app integrated with Kakao services. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (KRX) - **Founded**: 2016 (service 2017) - **Founding partners**: Kakao, Korea Investment Holdings - **Headquarters**: Seongnam, South Korea - **Licence**: Korean internet bank - **Model**: Licensed neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is KakaoBank? KakaoBank is a South Korean internet-only bank affiliated with the Kakao ecosystem. ### When was KakaoBank founded? KakaoBank was founded in 2016 (service 2017). ### Where is KakaoBank headquartered? KakaoBank is headquartered in Seongnam, South Korea. ### What type of company is KakaoBank? KakaoBank is described as Licensed neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^kakao1]: KakaoBank Corp. is a licensed internet-only bank in South Korea and a publicly listed company. — https://www.kakaobank.com/ --- # Klar > Klar is a Mexican neobank offering credit cards and digital accounts aimed at underbanked consumers. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/klar Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Mexico neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2019 **Klar** is a Mexican [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2019 and headquartered in Mexico City. It offers digital credit cards and accounts designed for consumers who have historically faced high fees or limited access at traditional banks.[^klar1] ## History Klar launched in Mexico's competitive fintech market, focusing first on credit products delivered through a mobile app. It operates with partner-bank and regulated-entity structures typical of Mexican neobanks. ## Founders [Klar](/wiki/klar) was co-founded by **Stefan Möller**, **Daniel Autrique** and **Gianluigi Davassi** to democratise credit and digital accounts in Mexico. **Stefan Möller** is co-founder and chief executive officer. With experience at Bain & Company and Nova Founders Capital, plus earlier entrepreneurial ventures in Mexico and Germany, Möller has led Klar's mission to expand credit access beyond the small share of Mexicans approved by traditional banks—building a mobile-first alternative often compared to U.S. [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Chime](/wiki/chime). **Daniel Autrique**, co-founder and CFO, is a Stanford-educated Mexican economist who previously worked in investment banking and private equity. **Gianluigi Davassi**, co-founder and early CTO, previously helped build German neobank [N26](/wiki/n26) and led Klar's technology organisation across Mexico and Berlin engineering teams. ## Mexican market Klar targets Mexican consumers with limited credit-card access, using mobile underwriting and digital accounts. It operates through Mexican regulatory and partner-bank structures typical of the country's fintech sector, with engineering presence spanning Mexico and Europe. ## Reception Klar is often compared to U.S. [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Chime](/wiki/chime) for fee-transparent digital credit. Funding rounds and founder-led positioning have made it a visible player alongside other Mexican consumer fintechs. ## Products Products include credit cards, digital accounts and related lending features managed entirely through the app, targeting younger and underbanked segments. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Stefan Möller, Daniel Autrique, Gianluigi Davassi - **Headquarters**: Mexico City, Mexico - **Model**: Partner-bank neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Klar? Klar is a Mexican neobank offering credit cards and digital accounts aimed at underbanked consumers. ### When was Klar founded? Klar was founded in 2019. ### Where is Klar headquartered? Klar is headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico. ### Who founded Klar? Klar was founded by Stefan Möller, Daniel Autrique, Gianluigi Davassi. ### What type of company is Klar? Klar is described as Partner-bank neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^klar1]: Klar provides financial products in Mexico through regulated partnerships and local licences as applicable. — https://www.klar.mx/ --- # Klarna > Klarna is a Swedish buy-now-pay-later and financial services company expanding into banking-like products. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/klarna Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Sweden neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2005 **Klarna** is a Swedish financial technology company best known for buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) checkout. It has expanded into shopping apps, cards and deposit products in selected markets, positioning as a consumer finance platform adjacent to [neobanks](/wiki/neobank).[^kl1] ## History Klarna was founded in Stockholm in 2005 and became a global BNPL leader through retailer integrations. It later pursued banking licences and consumer-app engagement beyond checkout lending.[^kl2] ## Founders **Sebastian Siemiatkowski**, **Niklas Adalberth** and **Victor Jacobsson** co-founded Klarna. Siemiatkowski has been the long-time chief executive and public face of the company. ## Licences Klarna holds banking and credit licences in Europe that enable deposits and lending in certain jurisdictions, while BNPL remains the commercial core in many markets. ## Products Products include pay-later and instalments at checkout, the Klarna shopping app, cards and savings/deposit offerings where regulated. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2005 - **Founders**: Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Niklas Adalberth, Victor Jacobsson - **Headquarters**: Stockholm, Sweden - **Focus**: BNPL / consumer finance ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Klarna? Klarna is a Swedish buy-now-pay-later and financial services company expanding into banking-like products. ### When was Klarna founded? Klarna was founded in 2005. ### Where is Klarna headquartered? Klarna is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. ### Who founded Klarna? Klarna was founded by Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Niklas Adalberth, Victor Jacobsson. ### What type of company is Klarna? Klarna is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^kl1]: Klarna is a Swedish BNPL and consumer finance company. — https://www.klarna.com/ [^kl2]: Klarna expanded from checkout lending into a broader consumer finance app. — https://www.klarna.com/ --- # Kristo Käärmann > Kristo Käärmann is co-founder and CEO of Wise (formerly TransferWise). Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/kristo-kaarmann Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Kristo Käärmann** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Wise](/wiki/wise). An Estonian entrepreneur and former Deloitte consultant, he co-founded TransferWise after personal frustration with bank FX fees.[^fn1] ## Career With Taavet Hinrikus, Käärmann built Wise into a public multi-currency account and remittance company operating under EMI-style licences—often compared with [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) for its consumer money app while remaining payments-first. ## Wise Kristo Käärmann is principally associated with [Wise](/wiki/wise). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Wise CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Wise - **Founded company**: 2011 - **Associated HQ**: London, United Kingdom ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Kristo Käärmann? Kristo Käärmann is co-founder and CEO of Wise (formerly TransferWise). ## References [^fn1]: Kristo Käärmann is a founder of Wise, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/wise --- # Leda Glyptis > Leda Glyptis is a banking transformation author and speaker (Bankers Like Us); active on X as @ledaglyptis. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/leda-glyptis Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Leda Glyptis** is a banking transformation leader, author and speaker—often describing herself as a "recovering banker." She has held senior roles including at **10x Banking**, writes widely on change management and [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance), and posts on [X](/wiki/x) as **@ledaglyptis**.[^lg1] ## Career Glyptis's career spans banking innovation and fintech platforms. Her books *Bankers Like Us* and *Banking on Change* / related titles (including *Beyond Resilience* themes in her public writing) address why digital transformation fails inside incumbents—and what [challenger](/wiki/challenger-bank) competition forces. ## Media and X Regular columns and keynotes plus **@ledaglyptis** make her a leading voice on culture and delivery in digital banking, complementary to product-news feeds and [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) regulatory analysis. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Author / banking transformation leader - **Known for**: Bankers Like Us; #LedaWrites - **X**: @ledaglyptis ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Leda Glyptis? Leda Glyptis is a banking transformation author and speaker (Bankers Like Us); active on X as @ledaglyptis. ## References [^lg1]: Leda Glyptis writes and speaks on banking transformation and is active as @ledaglyptis. — https://twitter.com/ledaglyptis --- # Lee Seung-gun > Lee Seung-gun founded Viva Republica / Toss, South Korea's leading fintech super-app and Toss Bank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/lee-seung-gun Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Lee Seung-gun** is founder of [Toss](/wiki/toss). He expanded Toss from P2P transfers into banking, investing and insurance.[^fn1] ## Career Lee built Toss into a defining Korean consumer fintech brand and secured an internet-bank licence for Toss Bank—positioning it as a peer to [KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank). ## Toss Lee Seung-gun is principally associated with [Toss](/wiki/toss). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Toss / Viva Republica founder - **Company**: Toss - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: Seoul, South Korea ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Lee Seung-gun? Lee Seung-gun founded Viva Republica / Toss, South Korea's leading fintech super-app and Toss Bank. ## References [^fn1]: Lee Seung-gun is a founder of Toss, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/toss --- # List of fintech founders > A catalogue of notable neobank and fintech founders covered as standalone people pages on neobank.wiki. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/list-of-fintech-founders Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders, Lists This page lists founders of [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), payments companies and adjacent fintech platforms who have dedicated articles on neobank.wiki—parallel to the [List of fintech journalists](/wiki/list-of-fintech-journalists). Company products and licences remain on each company page; founder pages cover career and company association.[^lf1] ## Consumer neobanks - [Chris Britt](/wiki/chris-britt) / [Ryan King](/wiki/ryan-king) — [Chime](/wiki/chime) - [Nikolay Storonsky](/wiki/nikolay-storonsky) / [Vlad Yatsenko](/wiki/vlad-yatsenko) — [Revolut](/wiki/revolut) - [Tom Blomfield](/wiki/tom-blomfield) — [Monzo](/wiki/monzo) - [Anne Boden](/wiki/anne-boden) — [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) - [David Vélez](/wiki/david-velez) / [Cristina Junqueira](/wiki/cristina-junqueira) — [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) - [Valentin Stalf](/wiki/valentin-stalf) — [N26](/wiki/n26) - [Colin Walsh](/wiki/colin-walsh) — [Varo](/wiki/varo) - [Stuart Sopp](/wiki/stuart-sopp) — [Current](/wiki/current) - [Mike Cagney](/wiki/mike-cagney) — [SoFi](/wiki/sofi) - [Ali Niknam](/wiki/ali-niknam) — [Bunq](/wiki/bunq) - [Marcelo Kalim](/wiki/marcelo-kalim) — [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank) - [Jitendra Gupta](/wiki/jitendra-gupta) — [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter) - [Stefan Möller](/wiki/stefan-moller) — [Klar](/wiki/klar) - [Lee Seung-gun](/wiki/lee-seung-gun) — [Toss](/wiki/toss) - [Pierpaolo Barbieri](/wiki/pierpaolo-barbieri) — [Ualá](/wiki/uala) ## Business banking & payments - [Immad Akhund](/wiki/immad-akhund) — [Mercury](/wiki/mercury) - [George Bevis](/wiki/george-bevis) — [Tide](/wiki/tide) - [Alexandre Prot](/wiki/alexandre-prot) — [Qonto](/wiki/qonto) - [Henrique Dubugras](/wiki/henrique-dubugras) — [Brex](/wiki/brex) - [Eric Glyman](/wiki/eric-glyman) — [Ramp](/wiki/ramp) - [Patrick Collison](/wiki/patrick-collison) / [John Collison](/wiki/john-collison) — [Stripe](/wiki/stripe) - [Kristo Käärmann](/wiki/kristo-kaarmann) — [Wise](/wiki/wise) - [Sameer Nigam](/wiki/sameer-nigam) — [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe) - [Vijay Shekhar Sharma](/wiki/vijay-shekhar-sharma) — [Paytm](/wiki/paytm) - [Jack Dorsey](/wiki/jack-dorsey) — [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app) / Block - [Max Levchin](/wiki/max-levchin) — [PayPal](/wiki/paypal) - [Sebastian Siemiatkowski](/wiki/sebastian-siemiatkowski) — [Klarna](/wiki/klarna) ## Brokerage, crypto & self-custody - [Elon Musk](/wiki/elon-musk) — acquired Twitter → [X](/wiki/x); launched **X Money**; earlier X.com / [PayPal](/wiki/paypal) - [Jack Dorsey](/wiki/jack-dorsey) — [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app) / Block; Twitter co-founder - [Vladimir Tenev](/wiki/vladimir-tenev) — [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood) - [Brian Armstrong](/wiki/brian-armstrong) — [Coinbase](/wiki/coinbase) - [Cameron Conrad](/wiki/cameron-conrad) — [Torque](/wiki/torque) ## Related - Company catalogue: [List of neobanks](/wiki/list-of-neobanks) - Media voices: [List of fintech journalists](/wiki/list-of-fintech-journalists) ## Frequently asked questions ### Which fintech founders does neobank.wiki cover? Standalone founder pages include leaders such as Anne Boden (Starling), Nikolay Storonsky (Revolut), Tom Blomfield (Monzo), David Vélez and Cristina Junqueira (Nubank), Chris Britt and Ryan King (Chime), Patrick and John Collison (Stripe), Immad Akhund (Mercury), and others listed on List of fintech founders. ## References [^lf1]: Founder pages are seeded from company Founders sections and public career facts; coverage prioritises primary founders of major wiki entries. --- # List of fintech journalists > A catalogue of notable fintech, BaaS and neobank journalists, newsletter writers and X commentators covered on neobank.wiki. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/list-of-fintech-journalists Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech, Lists This page lists independent journalists, newsletter writers and [X](/wiki/x) commentators who shape public understanding of [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service), [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance) and adjacent fintech. Coverage emphasises English-language voices frequently cited by operators and policymakers—not a complete global media directory.[^lj1] ## BaaS, banking programmes & neobanks - [Jason Mikula](/wiki/jason-mikula) (**@mikulaja**) — Fintech Business Weekly; author of *Banking as a Service* ("literally wrote the book on BaaS") - [Alex Johnson](/wiki/alex-johnson) (**@AlexH_Johnson**) — Fintech Takes newsletter & podcast - [Ron Shevlin](/wiki/ron-shevlin) (**@rshevlin**) — Fintech Snark Tank / Cornerstone Advisors - [Ingrid Lunden](/wiki/ingrid-lunden) (**@ingridlunden**) — TechCrunch fintech / startups ## Digital banking & transformation - [Jim Marous](/wiki/jim-marous) (**@jimmarous**) — The Financial Brand; Banking Transformed - [Chris Skinner](/wiki/chris-skinner) (**@chris_skinner**) — The Finanser; *Digital Bank* author - [Brett King](/wiki/brett-king) (**@BrettKing**) — *Bank 4.0*; Breaking Banks - [Leda Glyptis](/wiki/leda-glyptis) (**@ledaglyptis**) — *Bankers Like Us* - [Duena Blomstrom](/wiki/duena-blomstrom) — *Emotional Banking* - [Bradley Leimer](/wiki/bradley-leimer) (**@leimer**) — digital banking advisor ## Newsletters & investing commentary - [Simon Taylor](/wiki/simon-taylor) — Fintech Brainfood - [Nik Milanovic](/wiki/nik-milanovic) (**@nikmilanovic**) — This Week in Fintech - [Theodora Lau](/wiki/theodora-lau) (**@psb_dc**) — Unconventional Ventures; One Vision ## How to use this list These voices are primary sources for industry narrative, not substitutes for regulatory filings or company disclosures. For product encyclopaedia entries see [List of neobanks](/wiki/list-of-neobanks). For the BaaS concept hub see [Banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service). ## Frequently asked questions ### Which fintech journalists cover neobanks and BaaS? Widely followed independent voices include Jason Mikula (Fintech Business Weekly; BaaS book), Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes), Jim Marous (The Financial Brand), Ingrid Lunden (TechCrunch), Brett King (Bank 4.0), Chris Skinner (The Finanser), Simon Taylor (Fintech Brainfood), Nik Milanovic (This Week in Fintech), Theodora Lau, Leda Glyptis, Duena Blomstrom, Bradley Leimer, and Ron Shevlin (Fintech Snark Tank). ## References [^lj1]: List curated for neobank.wiki; X handles verified against public profiles as of 2026. --- # List of neobanks > A catalogue of neobanks and related fintech platforms covered on neobank.wiki, organised by country and product type. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/list-of-neobanks Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking, Lists This page lists [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and related financial platforms covered on neobank.wiki.[^scope] Classic deposit neobanks are grouped by home-market country; payment, brokerage, crypto and self-custody products appear under **Related platforms**. ## How to read this list - **Licensed** — the company holds (or operates under) its own banking charter or equivalent deposit-taking licence. - **Partner-bank** — deposits sit with a chartered partner; the brand owns the customer experience (often via [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service)). - **Consumer / business / super-app** — primary customer focus; super-apps bundle banking with investing, insurance or commerce. - **Related platforms** — payments, brokerages, exchanges and self-custody apps included for ecosystem context (not all are banks). ## United States - [Ally Bank](/wiki/ally-bank) — licensed online bank - [Brex](/wiki/brex) — partner-bank, business cards / banking - [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app) — partner-bank, consumer payments - [Chime](/wiki/chime) — partner-bank, consumer - [Current](/wiki/current) — partner-bank, consumer - [Mercury](/wiki/mercury) — partner-bank, business - [Novo](/wiki/novo) — partner-bank, business - [Remitly](/wiki/remitly) — remittances - [Slash](/wiki/slash) — partner-bank, business - [SoFi](/wiki/sofi) — licensed, consumer / super-app - [Varo](/wiki/varo) — licensed, consumer - [Venmo](/wiki/venmo) — P2P payments (PayPal) - [X](/wiki/x) — social → **X Money** (partner-bank payments) ## United Kingdom - [Atom Bank](/wiki/atom-bank) — licensed, savings / lending - [Monzo](/wiki/monzo) — licensed, consumer - [Nala](/wiki/nala) — remittance / multi-currency - [Revolut](/wiki/revolut) — licensed, super-app - [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) — licensed, consumer / business - [Tide](/wiki/tide) — partner-bank, business - [Wise](/wiki/wise) — multi-currency account / EMI - [Zopa Bank](/wiki/zopa-bank) — licensed, consumer lending / deposits ## Germany - [N26](/wiki/n26) — licensed, consumer - [Trade Republic](/wiki/trade-republic) — neo-broker / investing ## Netherlands - [Bunq](/wiki/bunq) — licensed, consumer ## France - [Qonto](/wiki/qonto) — licensed / e-money, business ## Sweden - [Klarna](/wiki/klarna) — BNPL / consumer finance ## Brazil - [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank) — licensed, consumer - [Inter](/wiki/inter) — licensed, digital bank - [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago) — wallet / payments / credit (Mercado Libre) - [Neon](/wiki/neon) — licensed, consumer - [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) — licensed, super-app ## Mexico - [Klar](/wiki/klar) — partner-bank, consumer - [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago) — wallet / payments / credit - [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) also operates in Mexico - [Ualá](/wiki/uala) — also operates in Mexico ## Argentina - [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago) — wallet / payments / credit - [Ualá](/wiki/uala) — cards / accounts ## China - [WeBank](/wiki/webank) — licensed internet bank (Tencent-backed) ## India - [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter) — partner-bank, consumer - [Paytm](/wiki/paytm) — payments / payments bank - [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe) — UPI payments / financial services ## Japan - [Rakuten Bank](/wiki/rakuten-bank) — licensed internet bank ## Philippines - [GCash](/wiki/gcash) — mobile wallet / digital finance (Mynt) - [Maya](/wiki/maya) — digital bank / wallet ## Indonesia - [Bank Jago](/wiki/bank-jago) — licensed digital bank (Gojek ecosystem) ## Singapore - [Trust Bank](/wiki/trust-bank) — licensed digital bank (Standard Chartered × Sea) ## South Korea - [KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank) — licensed, consumer - [Toss](/wiki/toss) — super-app / Toss Bank ## Turkey - [Papara](/wiki/papara) — wallet / cards ## Canada - [EQ Bank](/wiki/eq-bank) — licensed digital bank brand - [Wealthsimple](/wiki/wealthsimple) — investing / cash ## South Africa - [TymeBank](/wiki/tymebank) — licensed digital bank ## Nigeria - [OPay](/wiki/opay) — payments / agent banking ## Kenya - [M-Pesa](/wiki/m-pesa) — mobile money (Safaricom) ## Australia - [Airwallex](/wiki/airwallex) — business global payments - [Up](/wiki/up) — partner-bank, consumer ## Concepts - [Banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) - [Challenger bank](/wiki/challenger-bank) - [Electronic money institution](/wiki/electronic-money-institution) - [Embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance) - [Neobank](/wiki/neobank) - [Open banking](/wiki/open-banking) - [Partner bank](/wiki/partner-bank) ## Fintech journalists & commentators See [List of fintech journalists](/wiki/list-of-fintech-journalists) — including [Jason Mikula](/wiki/jason-mikula) (**@mikulaja**), [Alex Johnson](/wiki/alex-johnson), [Jim Marous](/wiki/jim-marous), [Ingrid Lunden](/wiki/ingrid-lunden), [Brett King](/wiki/brett-king), [Chris Skinner](/wiki/chris-skinner), [Simon Taylor](/wiki/simon-taylor), [Theodora Lau](/wiki/theodora-lau) and others. ## Fintech founders See [List of fintech founders](/wiki/list-of-fintech-founders) — including [Anne Boden](/wiki/anne-boden) ([Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank)), [Nikolay Storonsky](/wiki/nikolay-storonsky) ([Revolut](/wiki/revolut)), [Tom Blomfield](/wiki/tom-blomfield) ([Monzo](/wiki/monzo)), [David Vélez](/wiki/david-velez) ([Nubank](/wiki/nubank)), [Chris Britt](/wiki/chris-britt) ([Chime](/wiki/chime)), [Patrick Collison](/wiki/patrick-collison) ([Stripe](/wiki/stripe)) and others. ## Related — payments & spend - [Airwallex](/wiki/airwallex) - [Brex](/wiki/brex) - [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app) - [GCash](/wiki/gcash) - [Klarna](/wiki/klarna) - [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago) - [OPay](/wiki/opay) - [Payoneer](/wiki/payoneer) - [PayPal](/wiki/paypal) - [Paytm](/wiki/paytm) - [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe) - [Ramp](/wiki/ramp) - [Remitly](/wiki/remitly) - [Stripe](/wiki/stripe) - [Venmo](/wiki/venmo) - [Wise](/wiki/wise) - [X](/wiki/x) ## Related — brokerages - [Public](/wiki/public) - [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood) - [Trade Republic](/wiki/trade-republic) - [Wealthsimple](/wiki/wealthsimple) ## Related — crypto & self-custody - [Avici](/wiki/avici) — self-custody crypto neobank - [Coinbase](/wiki/coinbase) - [Defidotapp](/wiki/defidotapp) - [Infinex](/wiki/infinex) - [OKX](/wiki/okx) - [Torque](/wiki/torque) - [World](/wiki/world) ## Related — marketplaces - [Whop](/wiki/whop) ## Frequently asked questions ### How many neobanks are there? There is no single global registry. Industry trackers typically list hundreds of digital and challenger banks worldwide, with concentration in the UK, EU, US, Latin America, and parts of Asia. neobank.wiki catalogues notable licensed and partner-bank neobanks by market. ### Which countries have the most neobanks? The United Kingdom and European Union saw early growth after PSD2 and specialised bank licences. The United States has large partner-bank neobanks and payment apps. China, India, Southeast Asia, and Latin America account for most global users via internet banks and payments super-apps such as WeBank, PhonePe, GCash, Nubank, and Mercado Pago. ## References [^scope]: Coverage includes classic neobanks plus adjacent platforms (payments, brokerages, crypto, mobile money). Not every entry is a licensed bank. --- # M-Pesa > M-Pesa is a pioneering mobile-money service launched in Kenya that transformed payments and remittances across parts of Africa. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/m-pesa Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Kenya neobanks, Payment platforms, Remittance platforms, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2007 **M-Pesa** is a mobile-money platform launched in Kenya in 2007 by **Safaricom** (in partnership with Vodafone). It lets users deposit, send and withdraw money via mobile phones and agent networks and is widely regarded as the foundational mobile-money system that reshaped African digital finance.[^mp1] ## History M-Pesa launched in 2007 and rapidly became essential infrastructure for Kenyan payments and person-to-person transfers. Variants and related services expanded to other African and international markets. Academic and development literature often cites M-Pesa as proof that mobile money can leapfrog card-and-branch banking.[^mp2] ## Origins M-Pesa was developed within Safaricom / Vodafone teams exploring remittances and prepaid airtime mechanisms. It is a product of a telecom-led financial inclusion strategy rather than a venture [neobank](/wiki/neobank). ## Model M-Pesa is mobile money: e-value stored and transferred under telecom and payments regulation, redeemed via agents. It predates and differs from app-first deposit [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), but functionally substitutes for retail banking payments for millions of users. ## Products Core services include cash-in/cash-out, P2P transfers, merchant payments, bill pay, savings and credit products (e.g. M-Shwari partnerships) and international remittances depending on market. ## Infobox - **Launched**: 2007 - **Operator**: Safaricom / Vodafone partners - **Origin**: Kenya - **Type**: Mobile money ## Frequently asked questions ### What is M-Pesa? M-Pesa is a pioneering mobile-money service launched in Kenya that transformed payments and remittances across parts of Africa. ### What type of company is M-Pesa? M-Pesa is described as Mobile money in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^mp1]: M-Pesa is Safaricom's mobile-money service launched in Kenya in 2007. — https://www.safaricom.co.ke/personal/m-pesa [^mp2]: M-Pesa is widely studied as a landmark mobile-money deployment. — https://www.gsma.com/mobilemoneymetrics/ --- # Marcelo Kalim > Marcelo Kalim is co-founder and CEO of C6 Bank, a licensed Brazilian digital bank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/marcelo-kalim Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Marcelo Kalim** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank). A former BTG Pactual executive, he co-founded C6 in 2018 to compete with [Nubank](/wiki/nubank).[^fn1] ## Career Kalim scaled C6's app-based checking, cards, investments and business accounts. The bank later sold a major stake to JPMorgan Chase while continuing as a premium-leaning Brazilian digital bank brand. ## C6 Bank Marcelo Kalim is principally associated with [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: C6 Bank CEO / co-founder - **Company**: C6 Bank - **Founded company**: 2018 - **Associated HQ**: São Paulo, Brazil ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Marcelo Kalim? Marcelo Kalim is co-founder and CEO of C6 Bank, a licensed Brazilian digital bank. ## References [^fn1]: Marcelo Kalim is a founder of C6 Bank, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/c6-bank --- # Max Levchin > Max Levchin is a co-founder of PayPal and a central figure in the PayPal Mafia narrative. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/max-levchin Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Max Levchin** is co-founder of [PayPal](/wiki/paypal). He led early engineering and fraud systems at Confinity/PayPal before the eBay era.[^fn1] ## Career Levchin's work on risk and product helped PayPal scale person-to-person and merchant payments. He later founded other companies (including Affirm) while remaining associated with the founding PayPal story that shaped Silicon Valley fintech. ## PayPal Max Levchin is principally associated with [PayPal](/wiki/paypal). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: PayPal co-founder - **Company**: PayPal - **Founded company**: 1998–2000 era - **Associated HQ**: United States ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Max Levchin? Max Levchin is a co-founder of PayPal and a central figure in the PayPal Mafia narrative. ## References [^fn1]: Max Levchin is a founder of PayPal, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/paypal --- # Maya > Maya is a Philippine digital bank and wallet (formerly PayMaya) competing with GCash in consumer fintech. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/maya Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Philippines neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks **Maya** (formerly **PayMaya**) is a Philippine digital finance platform and bank offering wallets, payments, cards and deposit products. It is the principal domestic rival to [GCash](/wiki/gcash) and one of Southeast Asia’s major consumer fintech brands.[^my1] ## History PayMaya grew as a wallet and card issuer before rebranding to Maya and securing a digital-bank licence in the Philippines’ digital-bank wave. The rebrand positioned Maya as a full financial platform rather than payments-only.[^my2] ## Company Maya is operated by Maya Bank / Voyager Innovations-related entities historically linked to PLDT and Smart. Leadership teams from telecom and fintech scaled the brand against GCash’s Mynt-backed franchise. ## Digital bank licence Maya holds a Philippine digital banking licence, enabling deposit taking beyond pure e-money wallet services—narrowing the gap with traditional banks while remaining app-first. ## Products Products include e-wallets, savings accounts, credit, cards, merchant payments and crypto-related features in selected periods, packaged in the Maya app. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Formerly**: PayMaya - **Headquarters**: Philippines - **Model**: Digital bank / wallet ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Maya? Maya is a Philippine digital bank and wallet (formerly PayMaya) competing with GCash in consumer fintech. ### Where is Maya headquartered? Maya is headquartered in Philippines. ### What type of company is Maya? Maya is described as Digital bank / wallet in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^my1]: Maya is a Philippine digital bank and wallet platform, formerly PayMaya. — https://www.maya.ph/ [^my2]: Maya secured a digital bank licence as part of the Philippine digital-bank programme. — https://www.bsp.gov.ph/ --- # Mercado Pago > Mercado Pago is Mercado Libre's Latin American digital payments, wallet and credit platform, one of the region's largest fintechs by users. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/mercado-pago Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Brazil neobanks, Mexico neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 1999 **Mercado Pago** is the financial-technology arm of **Mercado Libre**, the Latin American e-commerce company founded by Marcos Galperin. It provides digital wallets, QR and online payments, credit, savings-like yields and merchant acquiring across markets including Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and others.[^mp1] By disclosed users it ranks among the world's largest digital finance platforms and is a primary peer to [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) in the Latin American money story. ## History Mercado Pago began as Mercado Libre's checkout and escrow layer to build trust in online marketplace transactions. As Latin American e-commerce scaled, Mercado Pago expanded into a standalone wallet and point-of-sale network, then into consumer credit, merchant lending and interest-bearing balances. It became central to Mercado Libre's strategy of combining commerce and finance in one ecosystem.[^mp2] ## Company and leadership **Marcos Galperin** founded Mercado Libre in 1999 and remains the public face of the group that owns Mercado Pago. The payments business is run as a major segment within Mercado Libre rather than as an independent [neobank](/wiki/neobank) startup. Leadership spans Mercado Libre's country teams and dedicated fintech executives responsible for wallet, credit and acquiring products. ## Model and licences Mercado Pago operates under local payments, e-money and lending licences that vary by country. In some markets it partners with banks or holds specialised financial licences; it is not a single pan-Latin banking charter. The commercial wedge is Mercado Libre's marketplace and offline QR acceptance network—embedded finance rather than a pure mobile-bank launch. ## Products Products include consumer wallets, P2P transfers, QR code payments, online checkout, debit and credit cards in selected markets, merchant acquiring and point-of-sale devices, working-capital loans for sellers, and consumer credit lines. Yield and investment-like products have been used to deepen wallet engagement. ## Reception Mercado Pago is widely cited as proof that Latin American "neobank" scale is not limited to pure digital banks: commerce-attached wallets can reach hundreds of millions of users. Competitors include [Nubank](/wiki/nubank), PicPay, local banks' wallets and global players such as [PayPal](/wiki/paypal). Regulatory scrutiny of fintech credit and deposit-like products has increased as the platform's financial segment grew. ## Infobox - **Type**: Segment of Mercado Libre (NASDAQ: MELI) - **Industry**: Payments / fintech - **Parent founded**: 1999 - **Founder (group)**: Marcos Galperin - **Headquarters**: Latin America (Mercado Libre group) - **Focus**: Wallet, payments, credit ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Mercado Pago? Mercado Pago is Mercado Libre's Latin American digital payments, wallet and credit platform, one of the region's largest fintechs by users. ### Where is Mercado Pago headquartered? Mercado Pago is headquartered in Latin America (Mercado Libre group). ### What type of company is Mercado Pago? Mercado Pago is described as Segment of Mercado Libre (NASDAQ: MELI) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^mp1]: Mercado Pago is Mercado Libre's fintech platform for payments, wallet and credit across Latin America. — https://www.mercadopago.com/ [^mp2]: Mercado Libre reports Mercado Pago as a major fintech segment alongside its marketplace. — https://investor.mercadolibre.com/ --- # Mercury > Mercury is an American business neobank providing startup banking, cards and treasury through partner banks. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/mercury Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Business neobanks, Companies founded in 2017 **Mercury** is an American business-focused [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2017. It provides checking accounts, debit and credit cards, and treasury products aimed at startups and technology companies, with deposits held at partner banks.[^merc1] ## History Mercury launched to serve venture-backed startups that struggled with traditional bank onboarding. It grew by integrating with accounting tools and offering faster account opening for incorporated US companies. ## Founders [Mercury](/wiki/mercury) was founded in 2017 by **Immad Akhund**, **Max Tagher** and **Jason Zhang**, who had previously worked together at Y Combinator-backed mobile-ad company Heyzap (acquired by Fyber). **Immad Akhund** is co-founder and chief executive officer. Born in Pakistan and raised partly in the UK, Akhund is a serial entrepreneur who experienced slow startup banking firsthand while running earlier companies. After years of waiting for someone else to fix founder banking, he launched Mercury to give venture-backed startups fast onboarding, multi-user permissions, wires and treasury—initially via partner banks under a [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) model. **Max Tagher** (engineering; formerly Heyzap's lead engineer) and **Jason Zhang** (business development) co-founded Mercury with Akhund, helping build the product and go-to-market motion that made Mercury a default banking brand for U.S. technology companies. ## Startup banking model Mercury serves startups and technology companies with fast KYC, multi-user permissions, wires/ACH, cards and treasury—delivered through partner banks under [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) arrangements. It became a default operating account for many venture-backed companies that struggled with traditional bank onboarding. ## Reception Mercury is widely praised in founder communities for UX and support, and has raised large late-stage rounds. Like other BaaS-dependent brands, it faces industry-wide scrutiny of partner-bank risk and evolving U.S. regulatory expectations for fintech–bank partnerships. ## Products Core products include business checking, multi-user permissions, expense cards, wires and ACH, and cash-management / treasury options. Banking services are provided by partner banks under [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) arrangements. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founders**: Immad Akhund, Max Tagher, Jason Zhang - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Focus**: Startups / SMB - **Model**: Partner-bank neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Mercury? Mercury is an American business neobank providing startup banking, cards and treasury through partner banks. ### When was Mercury founded? Mercury was founded in 2017. ### Where is Mercury headquartered? Mercury is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded Mercury? Mercury was founded by Immad Akhund, Max Tagher, Jason Zhang. ### What type of company is Mercury? Mercury is described as Partner-bank neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^merc1]: Mercury is a fintech company; deposits are held at partner banks. — https://mercury.com/about --- # Mike Cagney > Mike Cagney co-founded SoFi and led it from student-loan refinancing into a diversified consumer fintech. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/mike-cagney Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Mike Cagney** is co-founder and early chief executive of [SoFi](/wiki/sofi). He founded Social Finance at Stanford GSB with classmates in 2011 and left the company in 2018.[^fn1] ## Career Under Cagney, SoFi expanded from alumni-network lending into personal loans, mortgages and investing. Later leadership under Anthony Noto completed a U.S. national bank charter in 2022 (NASDAQ: SOFI). ## SoFi Mike Cagney is principally associated with [SoFi](/wiki/sofi). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: SoFi co-founder / early CEO - **Company**: SoFi - **Founded company**: 2011 - **Associated HQ**: United States ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Mike Cagney? Mike Cagney co-founded SoFi and led it from student-loan refinancing into a diversified consumer fintech. ## References [^fn1]: Mike Cagney is a founder of SoFi, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/sofi --- # Monzo > Monzo is a British licensed neobank known for its coral-coloured card and app-based current accounts. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/monzo Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Monzo** is a British [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2015. It holds a full UK banking licence and is known for its distinctive coral card, real-time spending notifications, and community-driven product development.[^monzo1] ## History Founded in 2015 as Mondo, the company rebranded to Monzo in 2016 after a trademark dispute. It initially operated a prepaid card before obtaining a UK banking licence and migrating customers to full current accounts. ## Founders [Monzo](/wiki/monzo) was founded in 2015 (originally as Mondo) by **[Tom Blomfield](/wiki/tom-blomfield)**, **Jonas Huckestein**, **Jason Bates**, **Paul Rippon** and **Gary Dolman**—a team that left early roles at [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) to build a community-driven UK [neobank](/wiki/neobank). **[Tom Blomfield](/wiki/tom-blomfield)** is the best-known co-founder and early chief executive of Monzo. An Oxford-educated entrepreneur who previously co-founded payments company GoCardless (Y Combinator), Blomfield briefly served as COO at Starling before founding Mondo/Monzo. He became the public face of Monzo's coral card, crowdfunding rounds and transparent product culture, later receiving an OBE for services to fintech competition. Blomfield stepped down as CEO in 2020, left the company in 2021, and later joined Y Combinator as a partner. **Jonas Huckestein** (CTO), **Jason Bates** (product and customer experience), **Paul Rippon** (banking, risk and regulation) and **Gary Dolman** (finance) co-founded Monzo with Blomfield, supplying the engineering depth and banking expertise required to obtain a full UK banking licence and migrate customers from prepaid cards to FSCS-protected current accounts. ## UK banking licence Monzo Bank Ltd holds a full UK banking licence with Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection. After launching as a prepaid card under the Mondo name, it migrated customers to licensed current accounts—the path that defined mid-2010s UK [neobank](/wiki/neobank) regulation. ## Products Monzo offers current accounts, savings "Pots", budgeting tools, shared tabs, overdrafts, loans and paid subscription tiers. It is frequently cited for its transparency and design. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Tom Blomfield, Jonas Huckestein, Jason Bates, Paul Rippon, Gary Dolman - **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom - **Licence**: UK banking licence - **Model**: Licensed neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Monzo? Monzo is a British licensed neobank known for its coral-coloured card and app-based current accounts. ### When was Monzo founded? Monzo was founded in 2015. ### Where is Monzo headquartered? Monzo is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ### Who founded Monzo? Monzo was founded by Tom Blomfield, Jonas Huckestein, Jason Bates, Paul Rippon, Gary Dolman. ### What type of company is Monzo? Monzo is described as Licensed neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^monzo1]: Monzo holds a full UK banking licence and is a member of the FSCS deposit-protection scheme. — https://monzo.com/about/ --- # N26 > N26 is a German licensed neobank offering mobile-first current accounts across Europe. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/n26 Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Germany neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2013 **N26** is a German [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2013 and headquartered in Berlin. It holds a full German banking licence and offers mobile-first current accounts across the European Economic Area.[^n26] ## History Founded in 2013 by Valentin Stalf and Maximilian Tayenthal, N26 launched its banking product in 2015. It expanded across Europe and briefly operated in the United States and the United Kingdom before withdrawing from both markets to focus on the euro area. ## Founders **Valentin Stalf** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [N26](/wiki/n26), the Berlin-based licensed [neobank](/wiki/neobank). An Austrian entrepreneur, Stalf co-founded N26 in 2013 to deliver a smartphone-only current account backed by a full German banking licence rather than a prepaid workaround. He led expansion across the European Economic Area and the company's subsequent focus on the eurozone after withdrawals from the United States and United Kingdom. **Maximilian Tayenthal** is co-founder and long-time chief financial officer of N26. Also Austrian, Tayenthal partnered with Stalf on strategy, fundraising and financial operations as N26 grew into one of Europe's best-known mobile banks, known for Mastercard debit accounts, Spaces savings and premium subscription tiers. ## Licence and regulation N26 AG holds a full German banking licence supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank, allowing it to take deposits and passport services across the European Economic Area. That licensed model differentiates N26 from partner-bank [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Chime](/wiki/chime). After withdrawing from the United States and United Kingdom, the company concentrated compliance and product effort on euro-area markets. ## Reception N26 was an early European smartphone-bank success story and raised large venture rounds at multi-billion valuations. Commentators have praised its clean app UX while noting customer-support and AML-compliance challenges during rapid growth—issues that contributed to a sharper focus on core European markets. ## Products N26 provides current accounts with Mastercard debit cards, spaces for saving, budgeting insights and premium subscription tiers. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2013 - **Founders**: Valentin Stalf, Maximilian Tayenthal - **Headquarters**: Berlin, Germany - **Licence**: German banking licence ## Frequently asked questions ### What is N26? N26 is a German licensed neobank offering mobile-first current accounts across Europe. ### When was N26 founded? N26 was founded in 2013. ### Where is N26 headquartered? N26 is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. ### Who founded N26? N26 was founded by Valentin Stalf, Maximilian Tayenthal. ### What type of company is N26? N26 is described as German banking licence in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^n26]: N26 holds a German banking licence supervised by BaFin and the Deutsche Bundesbank. — https://n26.com/en-eu/about-n26 --- # Nala > Nala is a cross-border payments and multi-currency account fintech focused on corridors into Africa and beyond. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/nala Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom fintech, United Kingdom neobanks, Payment platforms, Remittance platforms, Consumer neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks **Nala** (branded NALA) is a financial technology company offering international transfers and multi-currency accounts from the UK, US and EU to dozens of countries, with a strong focus on African corridors. Its B2B rail, Rafiki, exposes payouts and collections via API.[^nala1] ## History Nala grew as a remittance-first consumer app and later productised its payment infrastructure for other businesses. Partner banks and e-money institutions hold funds depending on market. ## Founders **Benjamin Fernandes** is the founder and chief executive officer of [Nala](/wiki/nala) (NALA), a cross-border payments and multi-currency fintech focused on corridors into Africa and other emerging markets. A Tanzanian entrepreneur with degrees including a Harvard background and a Stanford MBA, Fernandes is a Y Combinator alumnus who has spoken publicly about applying to YC multiple times before breaking through. Fernandes built Nala from a consumer remittance app into a broader payments infrastructure company—including B2B rails under the Rafiki brand—for businesses sending into emerging markets, with growing use of stablecoin settlement. Backed by investors such as Accel and DST Global, he positions Nala as payments infrastructure for "the next billion" users underserved by correspondent banking. ## Reception Nala is recognised for African remittance corridors and emerging-market payout infrastructure (including Rafiki APIs). Stablecoin settlement and multi-jurisdiction licensing are central to its growth story. ## Products Consumer send/hold/convert accounts, fast payouts to banks and mobile money, and Rafiki APIs for global businesses paying into emerging markets, including stablecoin settlement options. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founder**: Benjamin Fernandes - **Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom - **Focus**: Remittance / multi-currency - **Corridors**: UK, US, EU → Africa & Asia - **Model**: Partner-bank / payments fintech ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Nala? Nala is a cross-border payments and multi-currency account fintech focused on corridors into Africa and beyond. ### When was Nala founded? Nala was founded in 2019. ### Where is Nala headquartered? Nala is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ### Who founded Nala? Nala was founded by Benjamin Fernandes. ### What type of company is Nala? Nala is described as Partner-bank / payments fintech in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^nala1]: Nala provides money-transfer and account services with licensed partners by jurisdiction; it is not itself a full-service retail bank in all markets. --- # Neobank > A neobank is a type of direct bank that operates exclusively online without traditional physical branch networks. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/neobank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking A **neobank** (also known as an *online-only bank*, *internet-only bank*, or *digital bank*) is a type of [direct bank](/wiki/challenger-bank) that operates exclusively online, without traditional physical branch networks. Neobanks deliver banking services through mobile apps and web platforms, typically partnering with licensed institutions or holding their own banking licences.[^origin] The term gained prominence in the mid-2010s as smartphone-first startups such as [Monzo](/wiki/monzo), [Revolut](/wiki/revolut) and [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) began attracting millions of customers. By user count, the largest digital banks and finance apps are often Asian platforms such as [WeBank](/wiki/webank), [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe) and [GCash](/wiki/gcash). For a country-by-country catalogue, see [List of neobanks](/wiki/list-of-neobanks). ## History The concept of branchless banking predates smartphones, but the modern neobank emerged after the [2008 financial crisis](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) eroded trust in incumbent banks and mobile connectivity became ubiquitous. Early movers launched between 2013 and 2015, using slick app design and transparent fees to differentiate themselves.[^history] Regulatory changes accelerated the trend. In Europe, the revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) mandated open banking, letting startups build on top of existing bank rails. In China, licensed internet banks such as [WeBank](/wiki/webank) scaled through super-app distribution. In Brazil, [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) and [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago) helped redefine digital finance for Latin America. Parallel waves followed in India ([PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe), [Paytm](/wiki/paytm), [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter)), Southeast Asia ([GCash](/wiki/gcash)), South Korea, Australia and Mexico. ## Business model Neobanks generally fall into two categories: - **Licensed neobanks** hold their own banking licence and can take deposits directly (e.g. [Monzo](/wiki/monzo), [N26](/wiki/n26), [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank), [Varo](/wiki/varo), [KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank)). - **Front-end / partner-bank neobanks** partner with a chartered bank that holds deposits while the neobank owns the customer relationship (e.g. [Chime](/wiki/chime), [Current](/wiki/current), [Mercury](/wiki/mercury), [Up](/wiki/up)). Revenue typically comes from interchange fees on card transactions, subscription tiers, lending, interest margin, and foreign-exchange spreads. Some firms, notably [Revolut](/wiki/revolut) and [Nubank](/wiki/nubank), package banking into a broader [super-app](/wiki/list-of-neobanks) spanning investing, insurance and commerce. ## By country Neobank markets developed unevenly. The United Kingdom produced early licensed [challengers](/wiki/challenger-bank) ([Monzo](/wiki/monzo), [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank), [Revolut](/wiki/revolut), [Atom Bank](/wiki/atom-bank)). The United States favoured partner-bank models ([Chime](/wiki/chime), [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app), [Current](/wiki/current), [Mercury](/wiki/mercury), [Brex](/wiki/brex)) alongside charter holders ([SoFi](/wiki/sofi), [Varo](/wiki/varo), [Ally Bank](/wiki/ally-bank)). Germany and the Netherlands scaled pan-European apps ([N26](/wiki/n26), [Bunq](/wiki/bunq), [Trade Republic](/wiki/trade-republic)). Brazil and Mexico saw rapid adoption of [Nubank](/wiki/nubank), [Inter](/wiki/inter), [Neon](/wiki/neon), [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank), [Klar](/wiki/klar), [Ualá](/wiki/uala) and [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago). China and broader Asia hold much of global user scale via [WeBank](/wiki/webank), Indian payments giants ([PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe), [Paytm](/wiki/paytm)), [GCash](/wiki/gcash) and [Maya](/wiki/maya) in the Philippines, [Bank Jago](/wiki/bank-jago), [Trust Bank](/wiki/trust-bank), [Toss](/wiki/toss), [Rakuten Bank](/wiki/rakuten-bank), [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter), [KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank), [Up](/wiki/up) and [Airwallex](/wiki/airwallex). Africa is represented by [TymeBank](/wiki/tymebank), [OPay](/wiki/opay) and [M-Pesa](/wiki/m-pesa); Canada by [EQ Bank](/wiki/eq-bank) and [Wealthsimple](/wiki/wealthsimple). The wiki also covers adjacent platforms—payments ([Stripe](/wiki/stripe), [Wise](/wiki/wise), [Klarna](/wiki/klarna)), brokerages ([Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood)), and self-custody finance ([Torque](/wiki/torque), [Avici](/wiki/avici))—listed on [List of neobanks](/wiki/list-of-neobanks). ## Common features Neobanks are known for a set of consumer-friendly features that pressured incumbents to modernise: - Instant push notifications on every transaction - Fee-free or low-cost foreign spending - Automated budgeting and spending analytics - Early access to wages ("get paid early") - Sub-accounts, pots, spaces and shared accounts Business-focused neobanks such as [Mercury](/wiki/mercury), [Tide](/wiki/tide) and [Qonto](/wiki/qonto) emphasise multi-user access, accounting integrations and expense cards. ## Criticism and challenges Critics note that many neobanks struggled to reach profitability, relying on venture funding and interchange revenue.[^profit] Concerns have also been raised about customer-service accessibility, account freezes tied to automated fraud checks, and the durability of deposits held via partner banks rather than direct licences. ## Infobox - **Industry**: Financial technology - **Also known as**: Digital bank, challenger bank - **Distribution**: Mobile app, web - **Emerged**: c. 2013 - **Key markets**: China, India, LatAm, SEA, UK, EU, US ## Frequently asked questions ### What is a neobank? A neobank is a direct bank that operates exclusively online without traditional branch networks, delivering accounts, cards, and payments through mobile apps and web platforms. Many hold their own banking licence; others partner with a chartered bank that holds deposits. ### How is a neobank different from a traditional bank? Traditional banks combine branches, legacy core systems, and full licences. Neobanks are mobile-first, usually fee-transparent, and either licensed themselves or front a partner bank via banking-as-a-service. They typically launch with a narrower product set and expand over time. ### Are neobank deposits insured? Deposit insurance depends on the legal structure. Licensed neobanks that take deposits directly are covered under their jurisdiction’s scheme (for example FSCS in the UK or FDIC in the US). Front-end neobanks usually rely on partner banks that provide insurance on held deposits. ### What are examples of major neobanks? Widely cited examples include WeBank in China; PhonePe, Paytm, and Jupiter in India; GCash in the Philippines; Nubank, C6 Bank, and Mercado Pago in Latin America; Revolut, Monzo, and Starling Bank in the UK; N26 in Europe; and Chime, Cash App, SoFi, Current, and Varo in the United States. Coverage varies by licence and product set. ## References [^origin]: Definitions of neobanks vary across regulators; most emphasise branchless, mobile-first delivery. — https://www.bis.org/fsi/publ/insights28.pdf [^history]: Skinner, C. "Digital Bank" (2014), on the post-crisis rise of branchless banking. — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32015L2366 [^profit]: Analysts have repeatedly flagged the challenge of reaching profitability on interchange revenue alone. — https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/the-future-of-banks-a-20-trillion-dollar-growth-opportunity --- # Neon > Neon is a Brazilian digital bank offering mobile accounts, cards and credit aimed at mass-market consumers. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/neon Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Brazil neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2016 **Neon** is a Brazilian [neobank](/wiki/neobank) that provides mobile current accounts, cards and credit. It is frequently ranked among Brazil’s largest digital banks by customers, competing with [Nubank](/wiki/nubank), [Inter](/wiki/inter) and [C6 Bank](/wiki/c6-bank).[^n1] ## History Neon launched in the mid-2010s as Brazil’s digital-banking wave accelerated. Backed by international investors, it scaled a free or low-fee account proposition and later deepened credit and card products for mass-market Brazilians.[^n2] ## Founders Neon was co-founded by entrepreneurs including **Pedro Padilha** and partners who built the brand around simple mobile banking for customers poorly served by branch-heavy incumbents. ## Licence Neon operates under Brazilian financial licences appropriate to deposit accounts and lending, positioning as a licensed digital bank rather than a pure payment wallet like [Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago). ## Products Core products include digital accounts, debit cards, credit cards, personal loans and PIX payments integrated into a smartphone app. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2016 - **Headquarters**: São Paulo, Brazil - **Model**: Licensed digital bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Neon? Neon is a Brazilian digital bank offering mobile accounts, cards and credit aimed at mass-market consumers. ### When was Neon founded? Neon was founded in 2016. ### Where is Neon headquartered? Neon is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. ### What type of company is Neon? Neon is described as Licensed digital bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^n1]: Neon is a Brazilian digital bank focused on mass-market mobile accounts. — https://neon.com.br/ [^n2]: Neon grew during Brazil’s mid-2010s digital banking boom. — https://neon.com.br/ --- # Nik Milanovic > Nik Milanovic is the founder of This Week in Fintech and a fintech investor; active on X as @nikmilanovic. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/nik-milanovic Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Nik Milanovic** is a fintech media founder and investor, best known for **This Week in Fintech** (TWIF), a large global newsletter curating startup, funding and policy news.[^nm1] On [X](/wiki/x) (**@nikmilanovic**) he amplifies early-stage fintech and [neobank](/wiki/neobank) stories and invests via vehicles such as The Fintech Fund. ## Career Milanovic built TWIF into a widely forwarded weekly digest for founders and operators, then expanded into venture investing focused on fintech and financial inclusion themes. ## Media and X TWIF and **@nikmilanovic** emphasise curation—deal flow, product launches and contrarian takes—complementing deeper investigative voices such as [Jason Mikula](/wiki/jason-mikula). ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Media founder / investor - **Known for**: This Week in Fintech - **X**: @nikmilanovic ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Nik Milanovic? Nik Milanovic is the founder of This Week in Fintech and a fintech investor; active on X as @nikmilanovic. ## References [^nm1]: Nik Milanovic founded This Week in Fintech and invests in fintech startups. — https://www.thisweekinfintech.com/ --- # Nikolay Storonsky > Nikolay Storonsky is co-founder and CEO of Revolut, the British-founded global financial super-app. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/nikolay-storonsky Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Nikolay Storonsky** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Revolut](/wiki/revolut). A former derivatives trader, he founded Revolut to attack opaque FX markups and later expanded it into banking, investing and business accounts.[^fn1] ## Career Born in 1984 in Russia and later based in London, Storonsky worked at Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers. With [Vlad Yatsenko](/wiki/vlad-yatsenko) he launched Revolut's multi-currency card, then pursued licences across markets including a UK banking licence with restrictions. He also founded AI venture firm QuantumLight. ## Revolut Nikolay Storonsky is principally associated with [Revolut](/wiki/revolut). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Revolut CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Revolut - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: London, United Kingdom ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Nikolay Storonsky? Nikolay Storonsky is co-founder and CEO of Revolut, the British-founded global financial super-app. ## References [^fn1]: Nikolay Storonsky is a founder of Revolut, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/revolut --- # Novo > Novo is a U.S. business neobank offering checking and integrations for small businesses and freelancers. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/novo Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Business neobanks, Companies founded in 2016 **Novo** is an American business [neobank](/wiki/neobank) providing checking accounts, invoicing tools and accounting integrations for freelancers and small businesses. It competes in the SMB segment with [Mercury](/wiki/mercury) and [Brex](/wiki/brex).[^nv1] ## History Novo launched to simplify small-business checking with a modern app and integrations to tools like Stripe and accounting software, growing through the late-2010s SMB fintech wave.[^nv2] ## Founders Novo was co-founded by **Justin Ritch** and **Sharif Rawas**, who built the company around freelancer and SMB banking UX. ## Partner-bank model Novo is not a chartered bank; deposits are held at partner banks with FDIC insurance—the standard U.S. business [partner-bank](/wiki/partner-bank) pattern. ## Products Products include business checking, debit cards, invoicing, cash-flow insights and integrations with e-commerce and bookkeeping tools. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2016 - **Headquarters**: United States - **Model**: Partner-bank business neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Novo? Novo is a U.S. ### When was Novo founded? Novo was founded in 2016. ### Where is Novo headquartered? Novo is headquartered in United States. ### What type of company is Novo? Novo is described as Partner-bank business neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^nv1]: Novo offers business checking and tools for SMBs via partner banks. — https://www.novo.co/ [^nv2]: Novo focuses on freelancers and small businesses with software integrations. — https://www.novo.co/ --- # Nubank > Nubank is a Brazilian neobank and one of the largest digital banking platforms in the world by customers. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/nubank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Brazil neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2013 **Nubank** (legally Nu Holdings) is a Brazilian [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2013 in São Paulo. It is one of the largest digital banking platforms in the world by customer count, serving customers across Brazil, Mexico and Colombia.[^nu1] ## History Nubank was founded in 2013 by David Vélez, Cristina Junqueira and Edward Wible. Its first product was a no-fee purple credit card managed entirely through an app, addressing frustration with Brazil's concentrated and high-fee banking sector. The company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021. ## Founders **[David Vélez](/wiki/david-velez)** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) (Nu Holdings), one of the world's largest digital banks by customers. A Colombian entrepreneur and former Sequoia Capital investor, Vélez moved to Brazil after seeing how concentrated, high-fee banking limited financial access across Latin America. In 2013 he co-founded Nubank in São Paulo around a no-fee purple credit card managed entirely by app—later expanding into NuConta accounts, lending and a multi-country financial ecosystem listed on the NYSE. **[Cristina Junqueira](/wiki/cristina-junqueira)** is co-founder of Nubank and a long-time senior executive. A Brazilian engineer who previously worked at Itaú Unibanco, she helped design Nubank's consumer product and growth model for Brazil's mass market and has been a prominent public voice for Latin American fintech. **Edward Wible** is co-founder and early chief technology officer. An American engineer, Wible led the technical architecture of Nubank's app and backend as the company scaled across Brazil, Mexico and Colombia. ## Latin American expansion From Brazil, Nubank expanded into Mexico and Colombia, exporting its purple-card brand and digital-account model. As Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU), it reports tens of millions of customers and is a reference case for emerging-market [neobank](/wiki/neobank) scale. ## Products Nubank offers credit cards, the NuConta digital account, personal loans, investments, insurance and a rewards programme, expanding into a full financial ecosystem across Latin America. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NYSE: NU) - **Founded**: 2013 - **Founders**: David Vélez, Cristina Junqueira, Edward Wible - **Headquarters**: São Paulo, Brazil - **Markets**: Brazil, Mexico, Colombia ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Nubank? Nubank is a Brazilian neobank and one of the largest digital banking platforms in the world by customers. ### When was Nubank founded? Nubank was founded in 2013. ### Where is Nubank headquartered? Nubank is headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil. ### Who founded Nubank? Nubank was founded by David Vélez, Cristina Junqueira, Edward Wible. ### What type of company is Nubank? Nubank is described as Public (NYSE: NU) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^nu1]: Nu Holdings listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker NU in December 2021. — https://international.nubank.com.br/about/ --- # OKX > OKX is a global cryptocurrency exchange offering spot, derivatives, wallet and Web3 products. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/okx Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Global fintech, Cryptocurrency companies **OKX** is a global cryptocurrency exchange offering spot and derivatives trading, a Web3 wallet and DeFi access. Like [Coinbase](/wiki/coinbase), it is covered here as crypto financial infrastructure adjacent to [neobank](/wiki/neobank) wallets and spending products.[^okx1] ## History OKX grew from the OK Group ecosystem into one of the largest global crypto trading venues, expanding into wallet, earn and onchain products while navigating varied national regulations. ## Founders **Star Xu** is the founder and chief executive officer of [OKX](/wiki/okx) (originally OKEx), a major global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 platform. Xu has led OKX since founding the exchange in the mid-2010s, expanding from spot and derivatives trading into wallets, DeFi access and institutional services. He is a vocal advocate of self-custody and onchain finance, positioning OKX as both a centralised trading venue and a gateway to decentralised markets—overlapping the crypto super-app category covered alongside [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) that add digital-asset features. ## Reception OKX ranks among the largest global crypto exchanges by derivatives volume and has expanded wallet and DeFi access. It sits in the crypto super-app category alongside self-custody products such as [Infinex](/wiki/infinex). ## Products Centralised exchange trading, OKX Wallet, DeFi and NFT entry points, and earn/yield products. Availability depends on jurisdiction. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2013 - **Founder**: Star Xu - **Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: San Jose, U.S. - **Focus**: Crypto exchange / Web3 - **Model**: CEX + wallet ## Frequently asked questions ### What is OKX? OKX is a global cryptocurrency exchange offering spot, derivatives, wallet and Web3 products. ### When was OKX founded? OKX was founded in 2013. ### Where is OKX headquartered? OKX is headquartered in San Jose, U.S.. ### Who founded OKX? OKX was founded by Star Xu. ### What type of company is OKX? OKX is described as CEX + wallet in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^okx1]: OKX operates cryptocurrency trading and wallet products; regulatory status varies by country. --- # OPay > OPay is a Nigerian fintech offering mobile payments, agent networks and financial services across Africa. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/opay Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Nigeria neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Remittance platforms **OPay** is a Nigerian financial technology company providing mobile payments, agent cash-in/cash-out networks and related financial services. It is among Africa’s largest consumer fintechs by disclosed users and a peer to PalmPay in Nigeria’s mobile-money market.[^op1] ## History OPay scaled in Nigeria with a dense agent network and consumer app for transfers, bills and merchant payments, later expanding product lines and geographies. Chinese and global investors backed growth as Africa’s digital-payments market accelerated.[^op2] ## Company OPay is associated with Opera’s fintech expansion and professional management teams focused on African payments infrastructure and consumer apps. ## Model OPay operates primarily as a payments and agent-banking platform under local licences, closer to mobile money than a UK-style licensed [challenger bank](/wiki/challenger-bank). It sits alongside [M-Pesa](/wiki/m-pesa) in the African digital-finance map. ## Products Products include wallet transfers, agent cash services, bill pay, merchant acquiring and credit/microfinance products where licensed. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: Lagos, Nigeria - **Focus**: Payments / agent banking ## Frequently asked questions ### What is OPay? OPay is a Nigerian fintech offering mobile payments, agent networks and financial services across Africa. ### Where is OPay headquartered? OPay is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. ### What type of company is OPay? OPay is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^op1]: OPay is a major Nigerian mobile payments and fintech platform. — https://www.opayweb.com/ [^op2]: OPay grew through consumer apps and agent networks in Nigeria. — https://www.opayweb.com/ --- # Open banking > Open banking is a regulatory and technical framework that lets third parties access bank data and initiate payments with customer consent via APIs. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/open-banking Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking **Open banking** is a framework in which banks expose customer account data and payment-initiation capabilities to authorised third parties through secure APIs, with the customer's consent.[^ob1] It underpins much of Europe's fintech growth after PSD2 and influences how [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), budgeting apps and [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance) products connect to incumbent rails. ## Overview Open banking typically covers account-information services (read balances and transactions) and payment-initiation services (start a payment from a bank account). Regulators aimed to increase competition and innovation; banks must provide standardised API access rather than only screen scraping. ## PSD2 and Europe The EU's revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) made open banking mandatory for many European banks. UK Open Banking standards and directories accelerated [challenger](/wiki/challenger-bank) and [neobank](/wiki/neobank) product design—[Monzo](/wiki/monzo), [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) and [Revolut](/wiki/revolut) both consume and expose ecosystem connectivity. ## Global variants Similar regimes exist or are emerging in Australia (Consumer Data Right), Brazil (Open Finance), India (Account Aggregator), and parts of Asia and North America (often market-led via [Plaid](/wiki/list-of-neobanks)-style aggregators rather than a single PSD2-style mandate). ## Relation to neobanks Neobanks use open banking to import external accounts, verify income and compete for the primary financial relationship. Incumbents use it to remain account providers while third parties own the UX—complementing [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) and [partner bank](/wiki/partner-bank) models. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Open banking? Open banking is a regulatory and technical framework that lets third parties access bank data and initiate payments with customer consent via APIs. ## References [^ob1]: Open banking enables consented third-party access to account data and payment initiation via APIs. — https://www.openbanking.org.uk/ --- # Papara > Papara is a Turkish digital finance app offering wallets, cards and payments. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/papara Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Turkey neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Papara** is a Turkish financial technology company providing digital wallets, cards and payment services. It is one of Turkey’s best-known consumer fintech brands and appears in global digital-banking user rankings.[^pa1] ## History Papara scaled as a prepaid and digital-account alternative for Turkish consumers seeking fast onboarding and card products outside traditional bank branches.[^pa2] ## Founder **Ahmet Karagöz** founded Papara and led its growth into a major Turkish digital finance brand. ## Model Papara operates under Turkish payments and e-money style licences rather than as a full deposit-taking commercial bank in the UK [challenger](/wiki/challenger-bank) sense, while offering bank-like consumer experiences. ## Products Products include wallets, debit/prepaid cards, P2P transfers, bill payments and merchant services. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founder**: Ahmet Karagöz - **Headquarters**: Istanbul, Turkey - **Focus**: Wallet / cards ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Papara? Papara is a Turkish digital finance app offering wallets, cards and payments. ### When was Papara founded? Papara was founded in 2015. ### Where is Papara headquartered? Papara is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey. ### Who founded Papara? Papara was founded by Ahmet Karagöz. ### What type of company is Papara? Papara is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^pa1]: Papara is a Turkish digital wallet and finance app. — https://www.papara.com/ [^pa2]: Papara grew as a consumer fintech alternative to traditional Turkish retail banking UX. — https://www.papara.com/ --- # Partner bank > A partner bank is a chartered bank that holds deposits and provides regulated rails for a fintech or neobank that owns the customer brand. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/partner-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Banking, Digital banking A **partner bank** (also called a **sponsor bank**) is a licensed bank that holds customer deposits, issues cards or provides compliance infrastructure for a non-bank brand that owns the app and customer relationship.[^pb1] This [partner-bank](/wiki/partner-bank) model—often delivered via [banking as a service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service)—defines many U.S. [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Chime](/wiki/chime), [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app) and [Mercury](/wiki/mercury). ## Overview The fintech markets and supports the product; the partner bank is the regulated deposit-taker (for example FDIC-insured in the U.S.). Contracts allocate compliance duties, but regulators increasingly hold both sides accountable when programmes fail. ## Trade-offs Advantages include faster launch and lower capital requirements than a full charter. Risks include partner concentration, programme shutdowns, and customer confusion about who "is the bank." The Synapse bankruptcy highlighted operational and custodial risks in U.S. BaaS chains. ## Examples [Chime](/wiki/chime), [Current](/wiki/current), [Varo](/wiki/varo) (before/while pursuing charter paths), [Mercury](/wiki/mercury), [Novo](/wiki/novo), [Up](/wiki/up) and [Slash](/wiki/slash) illustrate partner or hybrid structures. Licensed alternatives include [Monzo](/wiki/monzo), [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank), [WeBank](/wiki/webank) and [Ally Bank](/wiki/ally-bank). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Partner bank? A partner bank is a chartered bank that holds deposits and provides regulated rails for a fintech or neobank that owns the customer brand. ## References [^pb1]: Partner or sponsor banks provide chartered deposit and card rails for fintech programmes. — https://www.bis.org/fsi/publ/insights28.pdf --- # Patrick Collison > Patrick Collison is co-founder and CEO of Stripe, the global payments infrastructure company. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/patrick-collison Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Patrick Collison** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Stripe](/wiki/stripe). An Irish entrepreneur, he co-founded Stripe with [John Collison](/wiki/john-collison) in 2010.[^fn1] ## Career The Collison brothers previously built Croma. Stripe became the default internet payments API for startups and enterprises, later expanding into treasury, billing and [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance) products used by many [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and platforms. ## Stripe Patrick Collison is principally associated with [Stripe](/wiki/stripe). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Stripe CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Stripe - **Founded company**: 2010 - **Associated HQ**: San Francisco, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Patrick Collison? Patrick Collison is co-founder and CEO of Stripe, the global payments infrastructure company. ## References [^fn1]: Patrick Collison is a founder of Stripe, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/stripe --- # Payoneer > Payoneer is a cross-border payments company providing receiving accounts and payouts for freelancers and businesses. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/payoneer Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Payment platforms, Public companies, Companies founded in 2005 **Payoneer** is a cross-border payments and receiving-account provider founded in 2005. Freelancers and marketplaces use it to get paid locally in multiple countries, overlapping with [Wise](/wiki/wise) and [PayPal](/wiki/paypal) in the global-account fintech category.[^po1] ## History Payoneer built early traction with marketplace sellers who needed US and EU receiving details. It listed publicly and continues to serve digital freelancers and SMEs. ## Founders **Yuval Tal** is the founder of [Payoneer](/wiki/payoneer) and a pioneer of cross-border receiving accounts for freelancers and digital businesses. He founded Payoneer in 2005 to solve a then-painful problem: marketplace sellers and remote workers outside the U.S. who needed local bank details to get paid. Under Tal's early leadership Payoneer built a network of local receiving accounts, cards and mass-payout rails spanning dozens of countries. Payoneer later listed publicly (NASDAQ: PAYO) and continues to compete with [Wise](/wiki/wise), [PayPal](/wiki/paypal) and other global-account providers serving the creator, freelancer and SME economy—fintech infrastructure adjacent to consumer [neobanks](/wiki/neobank). ## Reception Payoneer is a staple for freelancers and marketplace sellers who need local receiving accounts. It competes with [Wise](/wiki/wise) and [PayPal](/wiki/paypal) in cross-border payouts rather than as a full retail [neobank](/wiki/neobank). ## Products Local receiving accounts, cards, mass payouts, checkout and working-capital products delivered with banking and e-money partners by jurisdiction. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NASDAQ: PAYO) - **Founded**: 2005 - **Founder**: Yuval Tal - **Headquarters**: New York, U.S. - **Focus**: Cross-border payouts ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Payoneer? Payoneer is a cross-border payments company providing receiving accounts and payouts for freelancers and businesses. ### When was Payoneer founded? Payoneer was founded in 2005. ### Where is Payoneer headquartered? Payoneer is headquartered in New York, U.S.. ### Who founded Payoneer? Payoneer was founded by Yuval Tal. ### What type of company is Payoneer? Payoneer is described as Public (NASDAQ: PAYO) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^po1]: Payoneer Global Inc. is a publicly traded cross-border payments company. --- # PayPal > PayPal is a global digital payments company offering wallets, checkout, and adjacent banking and crypto products. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/paypal Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Payment platforms, Public companies, Companies founded in 1998 **PayPal** is a global digital payments company founded in 1998. Its wallet, checkout and payout rails underpin ecommerce worldwide; consumer products such as balances, debit cards and [Venmo](/wiki/list-of-neobanks) place it adjacent to [neobank](/wiki/neobank) experiences without being a classic challenger bank.[^pp1] ## History PayPal emerged from the early internet payments boom, was acquired by eBay, later spun out, and expanded through acquisitions including Venmo and Braintree. It remains one of the most widely held digital wallets. ## Founders [PayPal](/wiki/paypal) emerged from the 2000 merger of Confinity and X.com, creating one of the defining digital-payments companies. **[Max Levchin](/wiki/max-levchin)** co-founded Confinity and served as PayPal's early chief technology officer, building fraud systems that made email payments viable at scale. **Peter Thiel** co-founded Confinity, became PayPal's CEO, and later a prominent investor. **Luke Nosek** and **Ken Howery** were Confinity co-founders who helped shape early product and finance. **[Elon Musk](/wiki/elon-musk)** founded X.com, the online bank that merged with Confinity; after the combination, the unified company rebranded as PayPal and was acquired by eBay in 2002. Alumni of this founding group—the so-called PayPal Mafia—went on to start or fund many major technology companies. Today PayPal remains a global wallet and checkout network with consumer balances, debit products and Venmo adjacent to [neobank](/wiki/neobank) experiences. ## Reception PayPal remains one of the world's largest digital wallets. Venmo, balances and debit products create neobank-like experiences for consumers, while checkout dominance among merchants anchors its business. ## Products PayPal Wallet, merchant checkout, PayPal Credit, business accounts, cryptocurrency buying in some markets and PYUSD stablecoin experiments. Regulated banking partners and licences vary by country. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NASDAQ: PYPL) - **Founded**: 1998 - **Founders**: Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Luke Nosek, Ken Howery - **Headquarters**: San Jose, U.S. - **Focus**: Digital payments ## Frequently asked questions ### What is PayPal? PayPal is a global digital payments company offering wallets, checkout, and adjacent banking and crypto products. ### When was PayPal founded? PayPal was founded in 1998. ### Where is PayPal headquartered? PayPal is headquartered in San Jose, U.S.. ### Who founded PayPal? PayPal was founded by Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Luke Nosek, Ken Howery. ### What type of company is PayPal? PayPal is described as Public (NASDAQ: PYPL) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^pp1]: PayPal Holdings, Inc. is a publicly traded payments company. --- # Paytm > Paytm is an Indian digital payments and financial services company that built a wallet and UPI franchise and launched Paytm Payments Bank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/paytm Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, India neobanks, Payment platforms, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2010 **Paytm** (brand of **One97 Communications**) is an Indian financial technology company founded by Vijay Shekhar Sharma. It grew from mobile recharges and a stored-value wallet into one of India's best-known digital payments brands, spanning UPI, merchant QR, credit cards and a payments bank, and listed publicly in 2021.[^pt1] ## History One97 began in the 2000s; the Paytm consumer brand scaled after India's 2016 demonetisation surge in digital payments. Paytm Payments Bank launched as a specialised bank for deposits and payments, while the parent listed on Indian exchanges in 2021. The company later faced significant regulatory actions affecting Paytm Payments Bank operations, forcing a restructuring of how banking services were delivered to customers.[^pt2] ## Founder **Vijay Shekhar Sharma** is the founder and long-time chief executive of One97 Communications / Paytm. An engineer-entrepreneur from Delhi's startup scene, he built Paytm into a national consumer brand synonymous with QR payments and mobile wallets before UPI became ubiquitous, then navigated public markets and regulatory upheaval around the payments-bank franchise. ## Payments bank and licences Paytm Payments Bank operated under India's payments-bank licence—allowing deposits and payments but restricting lending—distinct from full commercial banks and from partner-bank [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter). Separate group entities handle lending partnerships, insurance distribution and payments. Regulatory interventions in the mid-2020s reshaped the bank's ability to onboard customers and hold deposits, a major case study in Indian fintech supervision. ## Products Consumer products have included wallets, UPI payments, bill pay, merchant QR acceptance, Paytm Mall commerce experiments, credit cards and personal-loan distribution. Merchant tools cover in-store QR, payment gateway and business accounts. Product availability has shifted as licensing and banking partnerships changed. ## Reception Paytm popularised digital payments for millions of Indians and remains a top consumer finance brand, while its stock and payments-bank troubles made it a cautionary tale about regulatory risk. It competes with [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe), Google Pay and bank UPI apps for payment share, and with digital lenders and [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) for adjacent financial products. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NSE: PAYTM) - **Industry**: Digital payments / fintech - **Founded**: 2010 (Paytm brand) - **Founder**: Vijay Shekhar Sharma - **Headquarters**: Noida, India - **Model**: Payments / payments bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Paytm? Paytm is an Indian digital payments and financial services company that built a wallet and UPI franchise and launched Paytm Payments Bank. ### When was Paytm founded? Paytm was founded in 2010 (Paytm brand). ### Where is Paytm headquartered? Paytm is headquartered in Noida, India. ### Who founded Paytm? Paytm was founded by Vijay Shekhar Sharma. ### What type of company is Paytm? Paytm is described as Payments / payments bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^pt1]: Paytm is the consumer brand of One97 Communications, an Indian digital payments company. — https://paytm.com/ [^pt2]: Paytm Payments Bank faced major Reserve Bank of India supervisory actions affecting its operations. — https://www.rbi.org.in/ --- # PhonePe > PhonePe is an Indian digital payments and financial services company and one of the largest UPI apps by users and transaction share. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/phonepe Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, India neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **PhonePe** is an Indian financial technology company best known for its Unified Payments Interface (UPI) app. Founded in 2015 and later owned by Walmart through Flipkart, it is among India's largest digital payments platforms by registered users and UPI market share, and has expanded into insurance, mutual funds, lending and a payments switch for merchants.[^pp1] ## History PhonePe was founded in Bengaluru in 2015 and was acquired by Flipkart shortly afterward. After Walmart bought Flipkart, PhonePe remained a strategically important fintech asset and later pursued greater operational independence while continuing to scale UPI payments. India's real-time UPI rails enabled PhonePe and peers such as Google Pay and [Paytm](/wiki/paytm) to reach mass-market adoption far beyond classic branch banking.[^pp2] ## Founders **Sameer Nigam** is co-founder and chief executive officer of PhonePe. A former Flipkart executive, he built PhonePe into a leading UPI consumer app and merchant platform. **Rahul Chari** is co-founder and chief technology officer, leading engineering for the payments stack. **Burzin Engineer** is co-founder and has held senior technology leadership roles. The founding team commercialised UPI-era mobile payments at national scale. ## Model and licences PhonePe operates primarily as a payments and financial-services distributor rather than a full-service deposit bank like [Jupiter](/wiki/jupiter)'s partner-bank neobank model. It partners with banks for UPI handles and deposit products, holds licences/registrations appropriate to payments, insurance distribution and wealth products, and builds switch and acceptance infrastructure for merchants. The core growth engine is UPI P2P and merchant payments. ## Products The consumer app supports UPI transfers, bill payments, merchant QR payments, recharges and financial-product storefronts (insurance, mutual funds, lending). PhonePe also offers merchant acceptance tools and has built payments infrastructure products aimed at banks and platforms. Indus Appstore was launched as an Android app store adjacent to the fintech core. ## Reception PhonePe is routinely named among the top UPI apps in India by volume share. Global neobank rankings that count "users" often place PhonePe near the top worldwide—illustrating how Indian payments super-apps dwarf many Western deposit neobanks by headcount even when they are not licensed banks. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Industry**: Digital payments / fintech - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Sameer Nigam, Rahul Chari, Burzin Engineer - **Headquarters**: Bengaluru, India - **Focus**: UPI payments / financial services ## Frequently asked questions ### What is PhonePe? PhonePe is an Indian digital payments and financial services company and one of the largest UPI apps by users and transaction share. ### When was PhonePe founded? PhonePe was founded in 2015. ### Where is PhonePe headquartered? PhonePe is headquartered in Bengaluru, India. ### Who founded PhonePe? PhonePe was founded by Sameer Nigam, Rahul Chari, Burzin Engineer. ### What type of company is PhonePe? PhonePe is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^pp1]: PhonePe is a leading Indian UPI payments and financial services company. — https://www.phonepe.com/ [^pp2]: PhonePe was acquired by Flipkart and later operated within the Walmart–Flipkart group while scaling UPI. — https://www.npci.org.in/what-we-do/upi/product-overview --- # Pierpaolo Barbieri > Pierpaolo Barbieri founded Ualá, the Latin American cards and accounts fintech. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/pierpaolo-barbieri Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Pierpaolo Barbieri** is founder of [Ualá](/wiki/uala). An Argentine entrepreneur and author, he launched Ualá to expand financial access via mobile accounts and cards.[^fn1] ## Career Barbieri scaled Ualá from Argentina into Mexico and other markets with venture funding, building a major Spanish-speaking LatAm consumer finance brand outside Brazil's [Nubank](/wiki/nubank) axis. ## Ualá Pierpaolo Barbieri is principally associated with [Ualá](/wiki/uala). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Ualá founder - **Company**: Ualá - **Founded company**: 2017 - **Associated HQ**: Buenos Aires, Argentina ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Pierpaolo Barbieri? Pierpaolo Barbieri founded Ualá, the Latin American cards and accounts fintech. ## References [^fn1]: Pierpaolo Barbieri is a founder of Ualá, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/uala --- # Public > Public is an American brokerage app for stocks, options, crypto and AI-assisted investing agents. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/public Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Brokerages **Public** is an American brokerage platform based in New York. It offers stocks, options, bonds and crypto trading and markets itself as an "agentic brokerage" where users can automate strategies with AI agents.[^pub1] ## History Public launched as a social investing app and evolved toward a full retail brokerage with multi-asset access and automation features. ## Founders **Jannick Malling** is co-founder and co-CEO of [Public](/wiki/public), the New York social brokerage. A Danish entrepreneur with a background in capital-markets fintech (including CFH Group / Finalto), Malling helped evolve Public from a social investing app into a multi-asset retail brokerage with stocks, options, bonds, crypto and AI-assisted "agentic" investing features. **Leif Abraham** is co-founder and co-CEO, a consumer-brand and product leader who shaped Public's community-first investing experience. **Matt Kennedy** is a co-founder who helped build Public's early brokerage and customer operations. Together they positioned Public as an educational, social alternative to commission-free brokers such as [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood). ## Reception Public differentiates with social and educational investing features and has expanded into multi-asset brokerage and AI agents. It competes with [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood) more than with deposit [neobanks](/wiki/neobank). ## Products Brokerage accounts via Public Investing (FINRA/SIPC), crypto via partners, yield/cash features and AI agents that execute user-defined rules. It is a brokerage, not a deposit neobank. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Jannick Malling, Leif Abraham, Matt Kennedy - **Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: New York, U.S. - **Focus**: Brokerage / investing ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Public? Public is an American brokerage app for stocks, options, crypto and AI-assisted investing agents. ### When was Public founded? Public was founded in 2019. ### Where is Public headquartered? Public is headquartered in New York, U.S.. ### Who founded Public? Public was founded by Jannick Malling, Leif Abraham, Matt Kennedy. ### What type of company is Public? Public is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^pub1]: Brokerage services are offered through Public Investing, Inc., a registered broker-dealer. --- # Qonto > Qonto is a French business neobank offering SME accounts, cards and spend management across Europe. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/qonto Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, France neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Business neobanks, Companies founded in 2016 **Qonto** is a French business [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2016 in Paris. It provides business accounts, payment cards and spend-management tools for freelancers and SMEs across several European markets.[^qonto1] ## History Qonto launched in France to modernise SME banking and expanded into markets including Germany, Spain and Italy. It operates under e-money / banking partnership structures depending on jurisdiction while pursuing deeper licences over time. ## Founders **Alexandre Prot** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Qonto](/wiki/qonto), the Paris-based European business [neobank](/wiki/neobank). A former McKinsey consultant, Prot co-founded Qonto in 2016 to modernise banking, cards and spend management for freelancers and SMEs frustrated by high-street business accounts. He has led Qonto's expansion across France, Germany, Spain, Italy and other European markets and successive large funding rounds. **Steve Anavi** is co-founder and president of Qonto. Also from a consulting background, Anavi partnered with Prot to build Qonto's product organisation and multi-country go-to-market. Together they positioned Qonto as one of Europe's leading business-finance platforms, bundling accounts, Mastercard debit cards, expense tracking and bookkeeping integrations. ## European expansion Qonto launched in France and expanded into Germany, Spain, Italy and other European markets with business accounts, cards and spend management. Licensing and e-money structures vary by country as the company deepens its regulated footprint. ## Reception Qonto is frequently cited as one of Europe's leading business [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), competing with [Tide](/wiki/tide) and traditional banks' SME digital offers. Strong NPS and large funding rounds underpin its "finance OS for SMEs" positioning. ## Products Products include business current accounts, multi-user access, Mastercard debit cards, expense tracking, invoicing and bookkeeping integrations aimed at small companies and startups. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2016 - **Founders**: Alexandre Prot, Steve Anavi - **Headquarters**: Paris, France - **Focus**: SME / freelancers - **Model**: Business neobank / e-money ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Qonto? Qonto is a French business neobank offering SME accounts, cards and spend management across Europe. ### When was Qonto founded? Qonto was founded in 2016. ### Where is Qonto headquartered? Qonto is headquartered in Paris, France. ### Who founded Qonto? Qonto was founded by Alexandre Prot, Steve Anavi. ### What type of company is Qonto? Qonto is described as Business neobank / e-money in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^qonto1]: Qonto provides business financial accounts and payment services under EU regulatory frameworks that vary by country. — https://qonto.com/en/about --- # Rakuten Bank > Rakuten Bank is a Japanese internet bank affiliated with the Rakuten Group and one of Japan’s largest digital banks. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/rakuten-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Japan neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Public companies **Rakuten Bank** is a Japanese internet bank affiliated with the **Rakuten Group** e-commerce and fintech conglomerate. It provides online deposits, payments and lending without a traditional branch network and is among Japan’s largest digital banks by accounts.[^rb1] ## History Rakuten Bank grew out of Japan’s early internet-banking market and became tightly linked to Rakuten’s ecosystem of shopping, points (Rakuten Points) and other financial subsidiaries. Digital distribution and points integration differentiate it from branch-heavy city banks.[^rb2] ## Group Rakuten Group was founded by **Hiroshi Mikitani**. Rakuten Bank operates as a regulated banking subsidiary within that group rather than as an independent [neobank](/wiki/neobank) startup. ## Licence Rakuten Bank holds a Japanese banking licence and takes deposits directly. The model is a licensed internet bank embedded in a commerce super-app ecosystem—closer to [WeBank](/wiki/webank)/Tencent or [KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank) than to a UK [challenger bank](/wiki/challenger-bank). ## Products Products include yen deposit accounts, debit cards, transfers, housing and consumer loans, and deep integration with Rakuten Points and e-commerce checkout. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public subsidiary (Rakuten Group) - **Headquarters**: Tokyo, Japan - **Model**: Licensed internet bank - **Parent**: Rakuten Group ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Rakuten Bank? Rakuten Bank is a Japanese internet bank affiliated with the Rakuten Group and one of Japan’s largest digital banks. ### Where is Rakuten Bank headquartered? Rakuten Bank is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. ### What type of company is Rakuten Bank? Rakuten Bank is described as Licensed internet bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^rb1]: Rakuten Bank is the internet banking arm of Rakuten Group. — https://www.rakuten-bank.co.jp/ [^rb2]: Rakuten Bank integrates banking with Rakuten's commerce and points ecosystem. — https://global.rakuten.com/ --- # Ramp > Ramp is an American corporate card and spend-management platform for businesses. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/ramp Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Corporate spend platforms, Business neobanks, Companies founded in 2019 **Ramp** is an American financial technology company founded in 2019. It offers corporate cards, bill pay and spend-management software for startups and enterprises, competing with other business-finance stacks rather than consumer [neobanks](/wiki/neobank).[^ramp1] ## History Ramp launched with a focus on helping companies control spend and automate expense workflows. It grew quickly in the US startup ecosystem alongside peers in corporate-card fintech. ## Founders **Eric Glyman** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Ramp](/wiki/ramp), the New York-based corporate-card and spend-management platform. Glyman co-founded Ramp in 2019 with a thesis that finance software should help companies spend less—not more—by combining cards, bill pay, accounting automation and controls. Under his leadership Ramp became one of the fastest-growing U.S. fintechs serving startups and mid-market finance teams. **Karim Atiyeh** is co-founder and chief technology officer. Atiyeh partnered with Glyman to build Ramp's product and engineering organisation, delivering real-time expense categorisation, policy controls and integrations that position Ramp as finance infrastructure adjacent to business [neobank](/wiki/neobank) and card issuers. ## Reception Ramp is known for corporate cards paired with software that aims to reduce spend. It competes with bill-pay and card platforms rather than retail [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), but occupies the same finance-stack conversation for startups. ## Products Corporate cards, accounting integrations, bill pay, procurement workflows and reporting. Card issuing and banking rails run through partner institutions. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Eric Glyman, Karim Atiyeh - **Headquarters**: New York, U.S. - **Focus**: Corporate cards / spend ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Ramp? Ramp is an American corporate card and spend-management platform for businesses. ### When was Ramp founded? Ramp was founded in 2019. ### Where is Ramp headquartered? Ramp is headquartered in New York, U.S.. ### Who founded Ramp? Ramp was founded by Eric Glyman, Karim Atiyeh. ### What type of company is Ramp? Ramp is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^ramp1]: Ramp is a fintech company; cards and accounts are issued or held with partner banks. --- # Remitly > Remitly is a U.S.-based digital remittance company moving money across international corridors. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/remitly Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Remittance platforms, Payment platforms, Public companies, Companies founded in 2011 **Remitly** is an American financial technology company specialising in digital international remittances. It competes with [Wise](/wiki/wise), [Nala](/wiki/nala) and traditional money-transfer operators by emphasising mobile-first cross-border payouts to families and workers.[^re1] ## History Remitly was founded in Seattle to improve the migrant remittance experience with transparent fees and faster delivery. It listed publicly and expanded corridor coverage worldwide.[^re2] ## Founders **Matt Oppenheimer**, **Josh Hug** and **Shivaas Gulati** co-founded Remitly. Oppenheimer has served as chief executive through the company’s growth and IPO. ## Model Remitly is a licensed money transmitter / payments company, not a deposit [neobank](/wiki/neobank). It partners with banks and payout networks in destination countries. ## Products Products centre on app-based international transfers with multiple payout options (bank deposit, cash pickup, mobile wallet) and related financial services for remittance customers. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NASDAQ: RELY) - **Founded**: 2011 - **Headquarters**: Seattle, U.S. - **Focus**: Remittances ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Remitly? Remitly is a U.S.-based digital remittance company moving money across international corridors. ### When was Remitly founded? Remitly was founded in 2011. ### Where is Remitly headquartered? Remitly is headquartered in Seattle, U.S.. ### What type of company is Remitly? Remitly is described as Public (NASDAQ: RELY) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^re1]: Remitly is a digital international remittance company. — https://www.remitly.com/ [^re2]: Remitly listed publicly and expanded global remittance corridors. — https://ir.remitly.com/ --- # Revolut > Revolut is a British-founded global neobank and financial technology company offering banking, currency exchange, and investing. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/revolut Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Revolut** is a global [neobank](/wiki/neobank) and financial technology company founded in the United Kingdom in 2015 by Nikolay Storonsky and Vlad Yatsenko. It began as a multi-currency card for travellers and expanded into a broad "financial super-app" spanning banking, currency exchange, stock and crypto investing, and business accounts.[^rev1] ## History Revolut launched in 2015 focused on fee-free foreign-exchange spending. It scaled rapidly across Europe and later pursued licences in multiple jurisdictions, securing a UK banking licence with restrictions in 2024.[^rev2] ## Founders **[Nikolay Storonsky](/wiki/nikolay-storonsky)** (also known as Nik Storonsky) is the co-founder and chief executive officer of [Revolut](/wiki/revolut), the British-founded global [neobank](/wiki/neobank) and financial super-app. Born in 1984 in Russia and later based in London, Storonsky worked as a derivatives trader at Credit Suisse and Lehman Brothers. Frustrated by opaque foreign-exchange markups while travelling, he founded Revolut in 2015 (incorporating the company earlier) and invested personal capital to launch a multi-currency card with interbank-style rates. Under his leadership Revolut expanded into banking, investing, crypto and business accounts across dozens of markets and later secured a UK banking licence with restrictions. Storonsky has also founded the AI-driven venture firm QuantumLight. **[Vlad Yatsenko](/wiki/vlad-yatsenko)** is co-founder and chief technology officer of Revolut. A software engineer who previously worked at Deutsche Bank and UBS, Yatsenko joined Storonsky early to build Revolut's product and infrastructure. He has overseen technology as Revolut evolved from a travel FX card into one of Europe's most valuable private fintech companies. ## Licences Revolut's regulatory posture varies by market: it has operated under e-money and specialised licences across Europe and pursued full banking authorisations, including a UK banking licence with restrictions ("mobilisation") in 2024. Product availability (banking, trading, crypto) depends on local approvals. ## Products The app bundles current accounts, multi-currency wallets, international transfers, budgeting tools, savings vaults, stock and cryptocurrency trading, and subscription tiers (Standard, Premium, Metal, Ultra). A separate Revolut Business product serves companies. ## Global expansion Revolut operates across Europe and has expanded into markets including the United States, Japan, Australia, and Brazil, adapting its licensing approach to each jurisdiction. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founders**: Nikolay Storonsky, Vlad Yatsenko - **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom - **Products**: Banking, FX, investing - **Model**: Licensed / super-app ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Revolut? Revolut is a British-founded global neobank and financial technology company offering banking, currency exchange, and investing. ### When was Revolut founded? Revolut was founded in 2015. ### Where is Revolut headquartered? Revolut is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ### Who founded Revolut? Revolut was founded by Nikolay Storonsky, Vlad Yatsenko. ### What type of company is Revolut? Revolut is described as Licensed / super-app in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^rev1]: Revolut markets itself as a "financial super-app" spanning multiple product lines. — https://www.revolut.com/about-revolut/ [^rev2]: Revolut received a UK banking licence with restrictions ("mobilisation") in 2024. — https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/prudential-regulation/authorisations/which-firms-does-the-pra-regulate --- # Robinhood > Robinhood is an American commission-free brokerage and financial services app that later added banking-like cash products. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/robinhood Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Brokerages, Public companies, Companies founded in 2013 **Robinhood** is an American financial technology company founded in 2013. Best known as a commission-free [brokerage](/wiki/list-of-neobanks), it expanded into crypto trading, retirement accounts and cash-management products that sit adjacent to [neobank](/wiki/neobank) offerings.[^rh1] ## History Robinhood launched to retail investors with zero-commission stock trading and a mobile-first interface. Rapid growth made it a defining retail-brokerage brand of the late 2010s; it later listed publicly and broadened into multi-asset investing. ## Founders **Vladimir Tenev** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood). A Bulgarian-American mathematician and Stanford-trained physicist, Tenev co-founded Robinhood in 2013 with the mission of democratising finance through commission-free mobile brokerage. He has led the company through hypergrowth, the meme-stock era, its public listing (NASDAQ: HOOD) and expansion into crypto, retirement accounts and cash-management products adjacent to [neobank](/wiki/neobank) offerings. **Baiju Bhatt** is co-founder of Robinhood and served as chief creative officer and earlier operational leader. Also Stanford-educated, Bhatt partnered with Tenev to design Robinhood's consumer brand and product simplicity that redefined U.S. retail investing UX in the 2010s. ## Reception Robinhood redefined U.S. retail brokerage UX and faced intense scrutiny after the 2021 meme-stock trading restrictions and payment-for-order-flow debates. Cash management and cards place it adjacent to [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), though its core identity remains brokerage. ## Products Core products include stocks and ETFs, options, cryptocurrency trading, IRAs and cash accounts with debit-card spending in some markets. Banking features are typically delivered with partner banks rather than a Robinhood banking charter. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NASDAQ: HOOD) - **Founded**: 2013 - **Founders**: Vladimir Tenev, Baiju Bhatt - **Headquarters**: Menlo Park, U.S. - **Focus**: Brokerage / investing ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Robinhood? Robinhood is an American commission-free brokerage and financial services app that later added banking-like cash products. ### When was Robinhood founded? Robinhood was founded in 2013. ### Where is Robinhood headquartered? Robinhood is headquartered in Menlo Park, U.S.. ### Who founded Robinhood? Robinhood was founded by Vladimir Tenev, Baiju Bhatt. ### What type of company is Robinhood? Robinhood is described as Public (NASDAQ: HOOD) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^rh1]: Robinhood Markets, Inc. is a publicly traded brokerage and fintech company. --- # Ron Shevlin > Ron Shevlin is a banking research executive and Forbes contributor known for Fintech Snark Tank; active on X as @rshevlin. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/ron-shevlin Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Ron Shevlin** is an American banking and fintech researcher, Chief Research Officer at **Cornerstone Advisors**, and a Forbes contributor known for the **Fintech Snark Tank** column.[^rs1] On [X](/wiki/x) (**@rshevlin**) he is a sharp, high-follower critic of hype around [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), digital transformation and banking technology vendors. ## Career Shevlin's research career focuses on retail banking strategy, fintech partnerships and consumer financial behaviour. Cornerstone reports and Forbes columns are widely circulated among U.S. bank executives. ## Media and X Fintech Snark Tank and **@rshevlin** favour sceptical, data-led takes—useful counterweight to promotional [neobank](/wiki/neobank) and [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) narratives. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Research executive / columnist - **Known for**: Fintech Snark Tank; Cornerstone Advisors - **X**: @rshevlin ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Ron Shevlin? Ron Shevlin is a banking research executive and Forbes contributor known for Fintech Snark Tank; active on X as @rshevlin. ## References [^rs1]: Ron Shevlin is Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors and writes Fintech Snark Tank for Forbes. — https://www.forbes.com/sites/ronshevlin/ --- # Ryan King > Ryan King is co-founder and CTO of Chime, the U.S. partner-bank neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/ryan-king Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Ryan King** is co-founder and chief technology officer of [Chime](/wiki/chime). He built Chime's mobile-first account experience and systems behind early-payday credit and fraud controls alongside [Chris Britt](/wiki/chris-britt).[^fn1] ## Career As Chime's technology lead from the beginning, King scaled the engineering organisation behind spending accounts, SpotMe-style overdraft coverage, savings round-ups and the partner-bank integrations that define Chime's [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) model. ## Chime Ryan King is principally associated with [Chime](/wiki/chime). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Chime CTO / co-founder - **Company**: Chime - **Founded company**: 2013 - **Associated HQ**: San Francisco, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Ryan King? Ryan King is co-founder and CTO of Chime, the U.S. ## References [^fn1]: Ryan King is a founder of Chime, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/chime --- # Sameer Nigam > Sameer Nigam is co-founder and CEO of PhonePe, one of India's largest UPI payments apps. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/sameer-nigam Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Sameer Nigam** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe). A former Flipkart executive, he built PhonePe into a national payments and financial-services platform.[^fn1] ## Career With Rahul Chari and Burzin Engineer, Nigam commercialised UPI-era mobile payments at national scale after Flipkart/Walmart ownership, expanding into insurance, mutual funds, lending and merchant infrastructure. ## PhonePe Sameer Nigam is principally associated with [PhonePe](/wiki/phonepe). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: PhonePe CEO / co-founder - **Company**: PhonePe - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: Bengaluru, India ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Sameer Nigam? Sameer Nigam is co-founder and CEO of PhonePe, one of India's largest UPI payments apps. ## References [^fn1]: Sameer Nigam is a founder of PhonePe, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/phonepe --- # Sebastian Siemiatkowski > Sebastian Siemiatkowski is co-founder and CEO of Klarna, the Swedish BNPL and consumer finance company. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/sebastian-siemiatkowski Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Sebastian Siemiatkowski** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Klarna](/wiki/klarna). He co-founded Klarna in Stockholm in 2005 and remains its public face.[^fn1] ## Career With Niklas Adalberth and Victor Jacobsson, Siemiatkowski built Klarna into a global buy-now-pay-later leader and later pursued banking licences and a broader consumer shopping/finance app. ## Klarna Sebastian Siemiatkowski is principally associated with [Klarna](/wiki/klarna). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Klarna CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Klarna - **Founded company**: 2005 - **Associated HQ**: Stockholm, Sweden ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Sebastian Siemiatkowski? Sebastian Siemiatkowski is co-founder and CEO of Klarna, the Swedish BNPL and consumer finance company. ## References [^fn1]: Sebastian Siemiatkowski is a founder of Klarna, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/klarna --- # Simon Taylor > Simon Taylor is a fintech operator-turned-writer known for Fintech Brainfood and Sardine; active on X covering crypto, compliance and fintech. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/simon-taylor Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Simon Taylor** is a British fintech operator, writer and speaker best known for the newsletter **Fintech Brainfood**. A former 11:FS co-founder with earlier banking technology roles, he later joined **Sardine** in content and strategy leadership.[^st1] On [X](/wiki/x) he is a high-signal voice on payments, crypto compliance, [embedded finance](/wiki/embedded-finance) and industry structure. ## Career Taylor's path spans bank innovation (including blockchain R&D at Barclays), consultancy and media via 11:FS, then independent writing and operator roles at fraud/compliance fintech Sardine. Fintech Brainfood popularised long-form weekly essays for builders. ## Media and X Fintech Brainfood and Taylor's conference talks target practitioners. His X commentary often bridges TradFi, crypto and regulatory tech—adjacent to [neobank](/wiki/neobank) and [BaaS](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) debates. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Writer / fintech operator - **Known for**: Fintech Brainfood; Sardine - **Focus**: Payments, crypto, compliance ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Simon Taylor? Simon Taylor is a fintech operator-turned-writer known for Fintech Brainfood and Sardine; active on X covering crypto, compliance and fintech. ## References [^st1]: Simon Taylor publishes Fintech Brainfood and has held roles at 11:FS and Sardine. — https://www.fintechbrainfood.com/ --- # Slash > Slash is an American business fintech offering banking, cards, treasury and crypto rails through partner banks. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/slash Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, United States fintech, Partner-bank neobanks, Business neobanks **Slash** is an American business [neobank](/wiki/neobank)-style platform offering checking, cards, treasury and crypto on/off-ramps. Slash Financial is a fintech, not a bank; banking services are provided by partner banks such as Column N.A.[^slash1] ## History Slash launched to serve innovative companies with modern business banking, high cashback cards and developer APIs, later adding crypto conversion and multi-entity controls. ## Founders **Kevin Bai** is co-founder and chief technology officer of [Slash](/wiki/slash), an American business [neobank](/wiki/neobank)-style platform for checking, cards, treasury and crypto rails. A University of Waterloo dropout, Bai previously experimented with consumer subscription products before co-founding Slash in 2021 to rebuild business banking for internet-native companies. **Victor Cardenas** (Victor Cardenas Codriansky) is co-founder and chief executive officer. Raised in Caracas, he studied computer science at Stanford before dropping out to start Slash with Bai. After an early focus on sneaker-reseller banking, the pair pivoted to broader SMB and founder banking—raising large venture rounds to expand partner-bank accounts, corporate cards and stablecoin payments. ## Business banking model Slash offers business checking, cards, treasury and crypto on/off-ramps through partner banks (such as Column N.A.). It targets internet-native companies and has raised large venture rounds after pivoting beyond early reseller niches. ## Products Business accounts, Visa cards, yield, expense controls, APIs and stablecoin on/off-ramps. FDIC insurance applies through partner bank structures up to programme limits. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2021 - **Founders**: Kevin Bai, Victor Cardenas - **Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Model**: Partner-bank business neobank - **Focus**: Business banking / cards ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Slash? Slash is an American business fintech offering banking, cards, treasury and crypto rails through partner banks. ### When was Slash founded? Slash was founded in 2021. ### Where is Slash headquartered? Slash is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded Slash? Slash was founded by Kevin Bai, Victor Cardenas. ### What type of company is Slash? Slash is described as Partner-bank business neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^slash1]: Slash Financial is a fintech company; banking services are provided by Column, N.A., Member FDIC. --- # SoFi > SoFi is an American financial technology company and licensed bank offering lending, banking and investing. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/sofi Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2011 **SoFi** (Social Finance, Inc.) is an American [financial technology](/wiki/neobank) company founded in 2011. Originally a student-loan refinancer, it obtained a US national bank charter in 2022 and now offers banking, lending and investing products.[^sofi] ## History SoFi was founded in 2011 at Stanford, initially refinancing student loans. It broadened into a diversified financial-services company and became a chartered bank after acquiring a community bank in 2022. ## Founders [SoFi](/wiki/sofi) (Social Finance) was founded in 2011 at Stanford Graduate School of Business by **Mike Cagney**, **Dan Macklin**, **Ian Brady** and **James Finnigan**. **Mike Cagney** served as co-founder and early chief executive. He led SoFi from an alumni-funded student-loan refinancer into a diversified consumer-finance platform spanning personal loans, mortgages and investing before departing the company in 2018. Subsequent leadership under Anthony Noto pursued a U.S. national bank charter (completed in 2022). **Dan Macklin**, **Ian Brady** and **James Finnigan** co-founded SoFi with Cagney while studying at Stanford. Together they pioneered SoFi's early peer-to-peer and alumni-network lending model that later evolved into one of America's best-known public fintech banks (NASDAQ: SOFI). ## Bank charter SoFi obtained a U.S. national bank charter in 2022 via acquisition of Golden Pacific Bancorp, enabling SoFi Bank to take deposits directly. That shift moved SoFi from a lending/fintech stack toward a diversified financial-services company spanning banking, brokerage and lending under one public brand (NASDAQ: SOFI). ## Reception SoFi is often cited as a U.S. "financial services supermarket" rather than a pure fee-free [neobank](/wiki/neobank). Analysts watch membership growth, net interest income and cross-sell of lending and investing products; leadership transitions after the founding era remain part of the company's public narrative. ## Products SoFi offers checking and savings accounts, personal and student loans, mortgages, credit cards, and brokerage and retirement investing. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (NASDAQ: SOFI) - **Founded**: 2011 - **Founders**: Mike Cagney, Dan Macklin, Ian Brady, James Finnigan - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Licence**: US national bank charter (2022) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is SoFi? SoFi is an American financial technology company and licensed bank offering lending, banking and investing. ### When was SoFi founded? SoFi was founded in 2011. ### Where is SoFi headquartered? SoFi is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded SoFi? SoFi was founded by Mike Cagney, Dan Macklin, Ian Brady, James Finnigan. ### What type of company is SoFi? SoFi is described as US national bank charter (2022) in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^sofi]: SoFi obtained a US national bank charter in 2022 via the acquisition of Golden Pacific Bancorp. — https://www.sofi.com/about/ --- # Starling Bank > Starling Bank is a British licensed neobank offering personal and business current accounts. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/starling-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Business neobanks, Companies founded in 2014 **Starling Bank** is a British [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2014 by Anne Boden. It holds a full UK banking licence and is notable for reaching profitability earlier than many peers, and for its popular business banking product.[^star] ## History Starling was founded in 2014 by Anne Boden, a career banker, and launched its app-based current account in 2017. It also operates a banking-as-a-service platform for other businesses. ## Founders **[Anne Boden](/wiki/anne-boden) MBE** is the founder of [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) and the first woman to found a British bank. Born in Swansea, Wales, in 1960, she studied computer science and chemistry at Swansea University and later earned an MBA from Middlesex University. Boden spent three decades in banking and technology leadership at institutions including Lloyds, Standard Chartered, UBS, Aon, ABN AMRO, RBS and Allied Irish Banks (where she was COO) before founding Starling in 2014. Boden built Starling as a fully licensed UK digital bank with owned technology, personal and business accounts, and later the Engine [banking-as-a-service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) platform. She received an MBE for services to financial technology in 2018, steered Starling to earlier profitability than many UK peers, and stepped down as CEO in 2023 while remaining associated with the bank she founded. ## Licence and business banking Starling holds a full UK banking licence with FSCS deposit protection. Beyond personal accounts, its business banking franchise and Engine [banking-as-a-service](/wiki/banking-as-a-service) platform became major growth engines—letting other brands embed Starling's rails. The bank reported profitability earlier than many UK challenger peers. ## Reception Starling is frequently ranked among the UK's strongest digital banks for app quality and SME tools. Coverage often contrasts Anne Boden's incumbent-banking background with consumer-fintech peers founded by non-bankers, and notes Starling's emphasis on owning its technology stack. ## Products Starling offers personal, joint and business current accounts, savings "Spaces", overdrafts and lending, alongside its Engine BaaS platform. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2014 - **Founder**: Anne Boden - **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom - **Licence**: UK banking licence ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Starling Bank? Starling Bank is a British licensed neobank offering personal and business current accounts. ### When was Starling Bank founded? Starling Bank was founded in 2014. ### Where is Starling Bank headquartered? Starling Bank is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ### Who founded Starling Bank? Starling Bank was founded by Anne Boden. ### What type of company is Starling Bank? Starling Bank is described as UK banking licence in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^star]: Starling reported its first full year of profitability earlier than most UK neobank peers. — https://www.starlingbank.com/about/ --- # Stefan Möller > Stefan Möller is a co-founder of Klar, the Mexico-focused consumer neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/stefan-moller Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Stefan Möller** is co-founder of [Klar](/wiki/klar). A former Bain consultant and Nova Founders Capital operator, he co-founded Klar to expand credit access in Mexico.[^fn1] ## Career With Daniel Autrique and Gianluigi Davassi, Möller built Klar as a partner-bank consumer finance brand competing with [Nubank](/wiki/nubank)'s Mexican expansion and other LatAm fintechs. ## Klar Stefan Möller is principally associated with [Klar](/wiki/klar). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Klar co-founder - **Company**: Klar - **Founded company**: 2019 - **Associated HQ**: Mexico ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Stefan Möller? Stefan Möller is a co-founder of Klar, the Mexico-focused consumer neobank. ## References [^fn1]: Stefan Möller is a founder of Klar, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/klar --- # Stripe > Stripe is an American payments and financial infrastructure company used by internet businesses worldwide. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/stripe Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Payment platforms, Companies founded in 2010 **Stripe** is an American financial technology company founded in 2010. It provides payment processing, billing, payouts and embedded financial products that many [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) and marketplaces rely on as infrastructure rather than as a consumer bank brand.[^st1] ## History Founded by Patrick and John Collison, Stripe grew by making card acceptance and online checkout simple for developers. It expanded into global payments, treasury, issuing and capital products for platforms. ## Founders **Patrick Collison** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Stripe](/wiki/stripe). Born in Ireland, he co-founded Stripe in 2010 with his brother John after earlier teenage entrepreneurship (including auction software Croma). Patrick has led Stripe's expansion from developer-friendly card payments into a global financial infrastructure platform spanning Billing, Connect, Issuing, Treasury and capital products used by internet businesses and many fintechs. **John Collison** is co-founder and president of Stripe. Together the Collison brothers—often cited among Europe's most successful technology emigrés to Silicon Valley—built Stripe into one of the world's most valuable private financial technology companies by obsessing over API quality and reducing the friction of accepting payments online. ## Role in the neobank stack Stripe rarely competes as a consumer [neobank](/wiki/neobank); instead it supplies payments, issuing, treasury and capital APIs that marketplaces and fintechs embed. Many digital banks and wallets rely on similar infrastructure layers for cards and money movement. ## Products Products include Payments, Billing, Connect (marketplace payouts), Issuing, Treasury and related APIs. Stripe partners with banks for regulated money movement and does not market itself as a retail neobank. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2010 - **Founders**: Patrick Collison, John Collison - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Focus**: Payments infrastructure ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Stripe? Stripe is an American payments and financial infrastructure company used by internet businesses worldwide. ### When was Stripe founded? Stripe was founded in 2010. ### Where is Stripe headquartered? Stripe is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded Stripe? Stripe was founded by Patrick Collison, John Collison. ### What type of company is Stripe? Stripe is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^st1]: Stripe provides financial infrastructure for businesses; banking features are offered with licensed partners. --- # Stuart Sopp > Stuart Sopp is co-founder and CEO of Current, the New York-based American neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/stuart-sopp Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Stuart Sopp** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Current](/wiki/current). A former Wall Street trader, he co-founded Current in 2015 to rebuild mobile banking for younger households.[^fn1] ## Career Sopp has emphasised owning core banking technology rather than renting every layer. With CTO Trevor Marshall he scaled spending accounts, early payday, rewards and family/teen banking. ## Current Stuart Sopp is principally associated with [Current](/wiki/current). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Current CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Current - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: New York, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Stuart Sopp? Stuart Sopp is co-founder and CEO of Current, the New York-based American neobank. ## References [^fn1]: Stuart Sopp is a founder of Current, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/current --- # Theodora Lau > Theodora Lau is a fintech author, advisor and founder of Unconventional Ventures; active on X as @psb_dc. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/theodora-lau Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech journalists, People in fintech **Theodora (Theo) Lau** is a fintech author, advisor and founder of **Unconventional Ventures**. She co-authored books including *Beyond Good* and *The Metaverse Economy*, co-hosts the **One Vision** podcast, and posts on [X](/wiki/x) as **@psb_dc**.[^tl1] Her commentary spans [fintech](/wiki/neobank), AI and purpose-driven technology. ## Career Lau works at the intersection of financial institutions, startups and venture, mentoring founders and advising on consumer financial well-being. She has been recognised among influential women in fintech by trade press such as American Banker. ## Media and X **@psb_dc** and her books/podcast emphasise inclusive innovation, AI and long-term tech themes alongside classic digital banking debates. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Author / advisor / founder - **Known for**: Unconventional Ventures; Beyond Good - **X**: @psb_dc ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Theodora Lau? Theodora Lau is a fintech author, advisor and founder of Unconventional Ventures; active on X as @psbdc. ## References [^tl1]: Theodora Lau founded Unconventional Ventures and writes on fintech and technology for good. — https://twitter.com/psb_dc --- # Tide > Tide is a British business neobank offering SME current accounts, cards and bookkeeping tools. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/tide Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Business neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Tide** is a British business [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2015 and headquartered in London. It provides current accounts, expense cards and administrative tools for freelancers and small businesses, working with banking partners for deposit holding.[^tide1] ## History Tide launched to simplify SME banking in the UK, competing with high-street business accounts on speed of onboarding and app-native expense management. It later expanded product depth around invoicing and bookkeeping integrations. ## Founders **George Bevis** founded [Tide](/wiki/tide), the UK business [neobank](/wiki/neobank), in 2015 to remove financial admin friction for freelancers and small companies. A former product and innovation leader at Zopa, Barclaycard, RBS and Capital One, Bevis launched Tide as a mobile-first business current account and expense platform, partnering with licensed banks rather than holding a full deposit charter himself. **Oliver Prill** joined as chief executive in 2018 to scale Tide. A German-born financial-services executive, Prill expanded membership (including significant UK SME market share) and international footprints such as India while Tide remained structured as a partner-bank / e-money business banking platform competing with [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) and [Qonto](/wiki/qonto). ## SME platform model Tide focuses exclusively on freelancers and small businesses, bundling business accounts with expense categorisation, invoicing and admin tools. In the UK it partners with licensed banks (such as ClearBank) rather than holding a full deposit-taking charter itself, while expanding internationally including India. ## Reception Tide is often grouped with [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) and [Qonto](/wiki/qonto) in European SME digital banking. Coverage highlights membership scale in the UK SME market and the strategic hire of Oliver Prill to professionalise growth after founder George Bevis's launch phase. ## Products Tide offers business current accounts, debit cards, expense categorisation, invoicing support and membership tiers. It is often grouped with [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) and [Qonto](/wiki/qonto) as a digital SME banking brand. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founder**: George Bevis - **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom - **Focus**: SME / freelancers - **Model**: Partner-bank neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Tide? Tide is a British business neobank offering SME current accounts, cards and bookkeeping tools. ### When was Tide founded? Tide was founded in 2015. ### Where is Tide headquartered? Tide is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ### Who founded Tide? Tide was founded by George Bevis. ### What type of company is Tide? Tide is described as Partner-bank neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^tide1]: Tide provides business banking services in partnership with licensed banks. — https://www.tide.co/about/ --- # Tom Blomfield > Tom Blomfield is co-founder and former CEO of Monzo, the UK neobank originally launched as Mondo. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/tom-blomfield Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Tom Blomfield** is co-founder and early chief executive of [Monzo](/wiki/monzo). An Oxford-educated entrepreneur and GoCardless co-founder, he became the public face of Monzo's coral card and crowdfunding culture.[^fn1] ## Career Blomfield briefly served as COO at [Starling Bank](/wiki/starling-bank) before founding Mondo/Monzo with teammates who left Starling early. He received an OBE for services to fintech competition, stepped down as CEO in 2020, left Monzo in 2021, and later joined Y Combinator as a partner. ## Monzo Tom Blomfield is principally associated with [Monzo](/wiki/monzo). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Monzo co-founder / former CEO - **Company**: Monzo - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: London, United Kingdom ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Tom Blomfield? Tom Blomfield is co-founder and former CEO of Monzo, the UK neobank originally launched as Mondo. ## References [^fn1]: Tom Blomfield is a founder of Monzo, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/monzo --- # Torque > Torque is a financial technology company building a self-custodial digital wallet and Money OS for trade, transfer, lend and borrow. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/torque Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Self-custody finance, Cryptocurrency companies, Super-app neobanks **Torque** is a global financial technology company that builds a self-custodial digital wallet and "Money OS" interface. Users can trade, transfer, lend and borrow from a unified balance while retaining custody of assets, with automation for routing and execution.[^tq1] ## History Torque positions itself as infrastructure for onchain and hybrid finance: aggregating balances, yield and credit into one product surface for individuals, businesses and developers integrating via API. ## Founders **Cameron Conrad** is the founder and chief executive officer of [Torque](/wiki/torque), the global financial technology company behind Torque's self-custodial digital wallet and Money OS. Based in Newport Beach, California, Conrad founded Torque in 2023 to unify trade, transfer, lend and borrow into a single intelligent balance with best-price execution—while users retain custody of assets. Before Torque, Conrad built and scaled eCommerce and dropshipping businesses beginning in 2016, including consumer brands and educational platform dropship.co, after teaching himself full-stack web development. That operator background informs Torque's focus on automation, routing and a unified interface for individuals, businesses and developers integrating via API. Conrad leads Torque alongside an executive team spanning operations, engineering and ecosystem partnerships. Torque states it is not a bank and balances are not FDIC-insured. ## Positioning Torque positions itself as a self-custodial Money OS rather than a deposit-taking [neobank](/wiki/neobank): users keep custody while accessing trade, transfer, lend and borrow flows from one balance. It targets individuals, businesses and developers via API, and explicitly states it is not a bank and balances are not FDIC-insured. ## Products The Torque wallet emphasises self-custody, P2P transfers, yield on idle balances, borrowing against portfolio collateral and developer APIs for trade, transfer and checkout. Torque states it is not a bank and deposits are not FDIC-insured. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2023 - **Founder**: Cameron Conrad - **Headquarters**: Newport Beach, U.S. - **Type**: Private - **Website**: torque.fi - **Model**: Self-custody wallet / Money OS - **Focus**: Trade, transfer, lend, borrow ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Torque? Torque is a financial technology company building a self-custodial digital wallet and Money OS for trade, transfer, lend and borrow. ### When was Torque founded? Torque was founded in 2023. ### Where is Torque headquartered? Torque is headquartered in Newport Beach, U.S.. ### Who founded Torque? Torque was founded by Cameron Conrad. ### What type of company is Torque? Torque is described as Self-custody wallet / Money OS in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^tq1]: Torque describes its products as non-custodial wallet and automation tools; it is not a licensed bank. --- # Toss > Toss is a South Korean fintech super-app; Toss Bank is its licensed internet bank competing with KakaoBank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/toss Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, South Korea neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Toss** is a South Korean financial super-app operated by **Viva Republica**. It began as a peer-to-peer transfer service and expanded into banking, investing, insurance and credit. **Toss Bank**, its licensed internet bank, is a primary peer to [KakaoBank](/wiki/kakaobank).[^t1] ## History Toss launched in 2015 popularising simple mobile remittances in Korea. Viva Republica later won an internet-bank licence for Toss Bank, extending the brand from payments into full deposit banking while the parent app remained a multi-product finance hub.[^t2] ## Founder **Lee Seung-gun** founded Viva Republica / Toss and led its expansion from P2P transfers into one of Korea’s defining consumer fintech brands and a licensed internet bank. ## Toss Bank Toss Bank holds a Korean internet banking licence. The Toss consumer app also distributes non-bank financial products, blending super-app distribution with a regulated deposit franchise—similar in structure to Kakao’s bank-plus-app ecosystem. ## Products Products span P2P transfers, bank accounts, cards, loans, securities trading (Toss Securities), insurance shopping and bill management inside the Toss app. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private (Viva Republica) - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founder**: Lee Seung-gun - **Headquarters**: Seoul, South Korea - **Model**: Super-app / licensed internet bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Toss? Toss is a South Korean fintech super-app; Toss Bank is its licensed internet bank competing with KakaoBank. ### When was Toss founded? Toss was founded in 2015. ### Where is Toss headquartered? Toss is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. ### Who founded Toss? Toss was founded by Lee Seung-gun. ### What type of company is Toss? Toss is described as Super-app / licensed internet bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^t1]: Toss is Viva Republica's Korean fintech super-app; Toss Bank is its internet bank. — https://toss.im/ [^t2]: Toss Bank operates as a licensed Korean internet bank. — https://www.tossbank.com/ --- # Trade Republic > Trade Republic is a German neo-broker offering commission-free investing and cash services across Europe. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/trade-republic Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Germany neobanks, Brokerages, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Trade Republic** is a Berlin-based neo-broker and financial technology company offering commission-light stock, ETF and crypto trading plus cash interest products. It is a leading European retail-investing app adjacent to [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) such as [N26](/wiki/n26).[^tr1] ## History Trade Republic launched to bring low-cost mobile brokerage to German and European retail investors, expanding country by country under EU passporting and local approvals. Cash and card features blurred lines with banking apps.[^tr2] ## Founders Trade Republic was co-founded by **Christian Hecker**, **Thomas Dietz**, and **Julian Wieder** (with early team members), building a brokerage-first consumer finance brand. ## Model Trade Republic is primarily a securities firm / broker with banking-like cash features via partners or licences—closer to [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood) than to a full retail bank, while competing for the same phone-home-screen attention as [neobanks](/wiki/neobank). ## Products Products include stocks, ETFs, derivatives in some markets, cryptocurrencies, interest on uninvested cash and card spending options depending on jurisdiction. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Headquarters**: Berlin, Germany - **Focus**: Brokerage / investing ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Trade Republic? Trade Republic is a German neo-broker offering commission-free investing and cash services across Europe. ### When was Trade Republic founded? Trade Republic was founded in 2015. ### Where is Trade Republic headquartered? Trade Republic is headquartered in Berlin, Germany. ### What type of company is Trade Republic? Trade Republic is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^tr1]: Trade Republic is a German neo-broker offering mobile investing across Europe. — https://traderepublic.com/ [^tr2]: Trade Republic expanded across EU markets with brokerage and cash products. — https://traderepublic.com/ --- # Trust Bank > Trust Bank is a Singapore digital bank backed by Standard Chartered and Sea Group. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/trust-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Singapore neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2022 **Trust Bank** is a Singapore [digital bank](/wiki/neobank) launched as a joint venture between **Standard Chartered** and **Sea Limited** (Garena/Shopee). It offers mobile retail banking integrated with Sea’s consumer ecosystem and is one of Singapore’s licensed digital banks.[^tb1] ## History Trust Bank won a Singapore digital-bank licence and launched in 2022, pairing Standard Chartered’s banking expertise with Sea’s regional consumer reach via Shopee and related apps.[^tb2] ## Ownership Trust Bank is jointly owned by Standard Chartered and Sea. It is an incumbent–tech JV digital bank rather than an independent startup [challenger](/wiki/challenger-bank). ## Licence Trust Bank holds a full digital bank licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore and takes deposits under Singapore’s deposit insurance framework. ## Products Products include deposits, debit cards, spending insights and promotions tied to Sea/Shopee merchant ecosystems. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private JV - **Launched**: 2022 - **Headquarters**: Singapore - **Owners**: Standard Chartered, Sea - **Model**: Licensed digital bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Trust Bank? Trust Bank is a Singapore digital bank backed by Standard Chartered and Sea Group. ### Where is Trust Bank headquartered? Trust Bank is headquartered in Singapore. ### What type of company is Trust Bank? Trust Bank is described as Licensed digital bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^tb1]: Trust Bank is a Singapore digital bank JV of Standard Chartered and Sea. — https://trustbank.sg/ [^tb2]: Trust Bank launched in 2022 under Singapore's digital bank framework. — https://www.mas.gov.sg/ --- # TymeBank > TymeBank is a South African digital bank known for kiosk-assisted onboarding and low-fee mobile banking. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/tymebank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, South Africa neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2018 **TymeBank** is a South African [digital bank](/wiki/neobank) that combines a mobile app with retail-store kiosks for onboarding. It targets affordable transactional banking and is one of Africa’s best-known licensed digital banks.[^ty1] ## History TymeBank launched commercially in 2018/2019 after incubating inside African banking groups, emphasising rapid kiosk account opening in supermarkets and a fee-light digital experience. It later expanded regionally under the Tyme Group umbrella.[^ty2] ## Leadership TymeBank’s public story centres on banking executives and shareholders who built a hybrid digital-plus-kiosk model for South Africa’s mass market, rather than a single celebrity founder narrative. ## Licence TymeBank holds a South African banking licence and takes deposits. The kiosk network is distribution, not a full branch franchise—still qualifying as a digital/[challenger](/wiki/challenger-bank) model. ## Products Products include transactional accounts, debit cards, savings goals, personal loans and smartphone banking with in-person onboarding via retail partners. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Launched**: 2018/2019 - **Headquarters**: South Africa - **Model**: Licensed digital bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is TymeBank? TymeBank is a South African digital bank known for kiosk-assisted onboarding and low-fee mobile banking. ### Where is TymeBank headquartered? TymeBank is headquartered in South Africa. ### What type of company is TymeBank? TymeBank is described as Licensed digital bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^ty1]: TymeBank is a licensed South African digital bank with kiosk onboarding. — https://www.tymebank.co.za/ [^ty2]: Tyme Group has expanded the Tyme digital-bank model beyond South Africa. — https://www.tyme.com/ --- # Ualá > Ualá is a Latin American fintech offering cards, accounts and financial services primarily in Argentina and Mexico. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/uala Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Argentina neobanks, Mexico neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2017 **Ualá** is a Latin American financial technology company offering prepaid/debit cards, accounts and related financial services. Founded in Argentina, it expanded to Mexico and other markets and is a major consumer [neobank](/wiki/neobank)-style brand outside Brazil’s [Nubank](/wiki/nubank)/[Mercado Pago](/wiki/mercado-pago) axis.[^u1] ## History Ualá launched in Argentina with a simple card-and-app proposition and raised significant venture funding to expand regionally. Product lines broadened into payments, lending and investments as licences allowed.[^u2] ## Founder **Pierpaolo Barbieri** founded Ualá. An Argentine entrepreneur and author, he built Ualá to expand financial access via mobile accounts and cards across Spanish-speaking Latin America. ## Model Ualá operates under local e-money, payments and banking-partner structures that vary by country—typically a partner-bank or specialised-licence model rather than a single pan-LatAm bank charter. ## Products Products include cards, account balances, P2P payments, bill pay, lending and investment distribution depending on market. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2017 - **Founder**: Pierpaolo Barbieri - **Headquarters**: Buenos Aires, Argentina - **Model**: Partner-bank / fintech ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Ualá? Ualá is a Latin American fintech offering cards, accounts and financial services primarily in Argentina and Mexico. ### When was Ualá founded? Ualá was founded in 2017. ### Where is Ualá headquartered? Ualá is headquartered in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ### Who founded Ualá? Ualá was founded by Pierpaolo Barbieri. ### What type of company is Ualá? Ualá is described as Partner-bank / fintech in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^u1]: Ualá is a LatAm fintech offering cards and digital accounts. — https://www.uala.com/ [^u2]: Ualá expanded from Argentina into Mexico and other markets. — https://www.uala.com/ --- # Up > Up is an Australian neobank offering mobile accounts and spending tools in partnership with Bendigo Bank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/up Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Australia neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2018 **Up** is an Australian [neobank](/wiki/neobank) launched in 2018. It provides mobile banking accounts and spending analytics in partnership with Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, which holds customer deposits.[^up1] ## History Up was built by a team inside Bendigo and Adelaide Bank as a smartphone-first brand aimed at younger Australians. It competed with other digital offerings in a market where true full-licence challengers faced high capital requirements. ## Founders [Up](/wiki/up) launched in 2018 as a smartphone-first Australian [neobank](/wiki/neobank) brand through a partnership between Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and software company Ferocia. **Dom Pym** and **Grant Thomas** co-founded Ferocia and are widely credited as Up's co-founders. Pym, a serial Australian fintech entrepreneur, helped articulate Up's "technology-led bank, not bank-led technology" thesis and served as an early public face of the brand. Thomas partnered on building Ferocia's banking software capabilities that powered Up's everyday accounts, savers, round-ups and spending insights. **Anson Parker**, head of product, was a key early product leader shaping Up's distinctive UX. Bendigo later acquired Ferocia, folding Up more tightly into the bank while keeping the digital brand—and deposits remain held by Bendigo under Australian deposit-protection arrangements. ## Brand and partner structure Up is a digital brand powered by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, which holds deposits under Australian protections. Software company Ferocia built the experience; Bendigo later acquired Ferocia, tightening the relationship while keeping Up's distinct smartphone-first identity. ## Reception Up is frequently praised by younger Australians for spending insights and design. It illustrates a partnership path to [neobank](/wiki/neobank)-like UX in a market where standalone full licences are capital-intensive. ## Products Up offers everyday accounts, savers, round-ups, two-way payments with friends ("Pay Anyone") and detailed spending insights. Deposits are covered under the partner bank's deposit protection arrangements. ## Infobox - **Type**: Bank brand (Bendigo) - **Launched**: 2018 - **Founders**: Dom Pym, Grant Thomas (Ferocia) - **Headquarters**: Melbourne, Australia - **Partner**: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank - **Model**: Partner-bank neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Up? Up is an Australian neobank offering mobile accounts and spending tools in partnership with Bendigo Bank. ### Where is Up headquartered? Up is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. ### Who founded Up? Up was founded by Dom Pym, Grant Thomas (Ferocia). ### What type of company is Up? Up is described as Partner-bank neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^up1]: Up is a digital banking brand of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. — https://up.com.au/ --- # Valentin Stalf > Valentin Stalf is co-founder and CEO of N26, the Berlin-based licensed neobank. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/valentin-stalf Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Valentin Stalf** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [N26](/wiki/n26). An Austrian entrepreneur, he co-founded N26 in 2013 around a smartphone-only current account with a German banking licence.[^fn1] ## Career With Maximilian Tayenthal, Stalf raised capital and expanded across the EEA, later focusing on the eurozone after withdrawals from the United States and United Kingdom. N26 became known for Mastercard debit accounts, Spaces savings pots and premium tiers. ## N26 Valentin Stalf is principally associated with [N26](/wiki/n26). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: N26 CEO / co-founder - **Company**: N26 - **Founded company**: 2013 - **Associated HQ**: Berlin, Germany ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Valentin Stalf? Valentin Stalf is co-founder and CEO of N26, the Berlin-based licensed neobank. ## References [^fn1]: Valentin Stalf is a founder of N26, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/n26 --- # Varo > Varo is an American licensed neobank offering mobile checking, savings and credit-builder products. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/varo Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2015 **Varo** (Varo Bank, N.A.) is an American [neobank](/wiki/neobank) founded in 2015. It was among the first US fintechs to obtain a full national bank charter, allowing it to take deposits directly rather than rely solely on partner banks.[^varo1] ## History Varo began as a fintech front end and pursued a national bank charter, which it received in 2020. The charter differentiated it from larger US peers that remained partner-bank models. ## Founders **Colin Walsh** is the founder of [Varo](/wiki/varo) (Varo Bank, N.A.) and a leading figure in U.S. licensed digital banking. A career consumer banker, Walsh founded Varo in San Francisco in 2015 with a mission of financial inclusion—no monthly fees, early direct deposit and tools for building savings and credit. He steered Varo through the OCC national-bank charter process, making it one of the first U.S. consumer fintechs to take deposits directly as a chartered bank rather than remaining indefinitely on a partner-bank model. Walsh has served as founder, CEO and board director as Varo scaled mobile checking, high-yield savings and small-dollar advances. ## National bank charter Varo Bank, N.A. was among the first U.S. consumer fintechs to receive a full OCC national bank charter (2020), allowing direct deposit-taking and FDIC insurance without a permanent partner-bank front-end model. That licence is central to Varo's positioning versus [Chime](/wiki/chime) and [Current](/wiki/current). ## Reception Varo is frequently discussed in policy and fintech circles as a test case for fintechs seeking bank charters. Supporters highlight inclusion and fee transparency; challenges include competing for deposits and marketing spend against better-funded partner-bank rivals. ## Products Varo offers checking and high-yield savings accounts, early direct deposit, credit-builder tools and small-dollar advances. Accounts are FDIC-insured through Varo Bank. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2015 - **Founder**: Colin Walsh - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Licence**: US national bank charter - **Model**: Licensed neobank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Varo? Varo is an American licensed neobank offering mobile checking, savings and credit-builder products. ### When was Varo founded? Varo was founded in 2015. ### Where is Varo headquartered? Varo is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded Varo? Varo was founded by Colin Walsh. ### What type of company is Varo? Varo is described as Licensed neobank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^varo1]: Varo Bank, N.A. received conditional and then full OCC approval to operate as a national bank. — https://www.varomoney.com/about/ --- # Venmo > Venmo is a U.S. peer-to-peer payments app owned by PayPal, with a debit card and business profiles. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/venmo Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2009 **Venmo** is an American peer-to-peer payments app owned by [PayPal](/wiki/paypal). Known for social payment feeds and simple username transfers, it expanded into a debit card, crypto trading (in periods) and business profiles—sitting beside [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app) in U.S. consumer payments.[^ve1] ## History Venmo was founded in 2009, acquired by Braintree and then by PayPal. It became culturally synonymous with splitting bills among younger Americans and later added banking-adjacent features through PayPal’s licences and partner banks.[^ve2] ## Founders **Andrew Kortina** and **Iqram Magdon-Ismail** co-founded Venmo. After acquisition, product direction sat inside PayPal’s consumer organisation. ## Model Venmo is a payments product under PayPal’s regulatory umbrella and partner-bank card programmes—not a standalone chartered [neobank](/wiki/neobank). ## Products Products include P2P payments, Venmo Debit Card, instant transfers, business profiles and checkout integrations across PayPal commerce. ## Infobox - **Type**: PayPal product - **Founded**: 2009 - **Founders**: Andrew Kortina, Iqram Magdon-Ismail - **Parent**: PayPal - **Focus**: P2P payments ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Venmo? Venmo is a U.S. ### When was Venmo founded? Venmo was founded in 2009. ### Who founded Venmo? Venmo was founded by Andrew Kortina, Iqram Magdon-Ismail. ### What type of company is Venmo? Venmo is described as PayPal product in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^ve1]: Venmo is PayPal's U.S. peer-to-peer payments app. — https://venmo.com/ [^ve2]: Venmo was acquired via Braintree by PayPal. — https://www.paypal.com/ --- # Vijay Shekhar Sharma > Vijay Shekhar Sharma founded Paytm (One97 Communications), India's landmark digital payments brand. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/vijay-shekhar-sharma Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Vijay Shekhar Sharma** is founder and long-time chief executive of [Paytm](/wiki/paytm). He scaled Paytm from recharges and wallets into UPI, merchant QR and a payments bank—later navigating major regulatory restructuring.[^fn1] ## Career Sharma made Paytm synonymous with Indian digital payments after demonetisation, took One97 public, and became a case study in both mass-market fintech growth and payments-bank supervisory risk. ## Paytm Vijay Shekhar Sharma is principally associated with [Paytm](/wiki/paytm). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Paytm founder - **Company**: Paytm - **Founded company**: 2010 - **Associated HQ**: Noida, India ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Vijay Shekhar Sharma? Vijay Shekhar Sharma founded Paytm (One97 Communications), India's landmark digital payments brand. ## References [^fn1]: Vijay Shekhar Sharma is a founder of Paytm, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/paytm --- # Vlad Yatsenko > Vlad Yatsenko is co-founder and CTO of Revolut. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/vlad-yatsenko Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Vlad Yatsenko** is co-founder and chief technology officer of [Revolut](/wiki/revolut). A software engineer from Deutsche Bank and UBS, he joined [Nikolay Storonsky](/wiki/nikolay-storonsky) early to build Revolut's product and infrastructure.[^fn1] ## Career Yatsenko oversaw technology as Revolut evolved from a travel FX card into one of Europe's most valuable private fintech companies spanning retail banking, crypto, investing and Revolut Business. ## Revolut Vlad Yatsenko is principally associated with [Revolut](/wiki/revolut). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Revolut CTO / co-founder - **Company**: Revolut - **Founded company**: 2015 - **Associated HQ**: London, United Kingdom ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Vlad Yatsenko? Vlad Yatsenko is co-founder and CTO of Revolut. ## References [^fn1]: Vlad Yatsenko is a founder of Revolut, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/revolut --- # Vladimir Tenev > Vladimir Tenev is co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, the commission-free brokerage app. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/vladimir-tenev Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Fintech founders, People in fintech, Neobank founders **Vladimir Tenev** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood). A Bulgarian-American mathematician and Stanford-trained physicist, he co-founded Robinhood in 2013 with Baiju Bhatt.[^fn1] ## Career Tenev led Robinhood through hypergrowth, the meme-stock era, its NASDAQ listing and expansion into crypto, retirement accounts and cash-management products adjacent to [neobank](/wiki/neobank) offerings. ## Robinhood Vladimir Tenev is principally associated with [Robinhood](/wiki/robinhood). See that article for products, licensing and market context. ## Infobox - **Occupation**: Fintech founder - **Known for**: Robinhood CEO / co-founder - **Company**: Robinhood - **Founded company**: 2013 - **Associated HQ**: Menlo Park, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Vladimir Tenev? Vladimir Tenev is co-founder and CEO of Robinhood, the commission-free brokerage app. ## References [^fn1]: Vladimir Tenev is a founder of Robinhood, covered on neobank.wiki. — https://neobank.wiki/wiki/robinhood --- # Wealthsimple > Wealthsimple is a Canadian fintech offering investing, crypto, tax and cash products. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/wealthsimple Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Canada neobanks, Brokerages, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2014 **Wealthsimple** is a Canadian financial technology company offering investment management, stock trading, crypto, tax filing and cash accounts. It is one of Canada’s leading consumer fintech brands alongside [EQ Bank](/wiki/eq-bank).[^ws1] ## History Wealthsimple launched as a robo-advisor and expanded into self-directed trading, crypto and cash products, becoming a multi-product finance app for Canadians.[^ws2] ## Founder **Michael Katchen** founded Wealthsimple and scaled it with support from prominent Canadian investors into a flagship national fintech brand. ## Model Wealthsimple is an investment dealer / fintech with cash products delivered through partner banks or trust arrangements—brokerage-led rather than a full schedule I retail bank. ## Products Products include managed investing, self-directed trading, crypto, Wealthsimple Cash, tax software and saving automations. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Founded**: 2014 - **Founder**: Michael Katchen - **Headquarters**: Toronto, Canada - **Focus**: Investing / cash ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Wealthsimple? Wealthsimple is a Canadian fintech offering investing, crypto, tax and cash products. ### When was Wealthsimple founded? Wealthsimple was founded in 2014. ### Where is Wealthsimple headquartered? Wealthsimple is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. ### Who founded Wealthsimple? Wealthsimple was founded by Michael Katchen. ### What type of company is Wealthsimple? Wealthsimple is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^ws1]: Wealthsimple is a Canadian investing and consumer fintech company. — https://www.wealthsimple.com/ [^ws2]: Wealthsimple expanded from robo-advice into a multi-product finance app. — https://www.wealthsimple.com/ --- # WeBank > WeBank is a Chinese digital bank backed by Tencent and is widely cited as the world's largest digital bank by customer count. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/webank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, China neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Super-app neobanks, Companies founded in 2014 **WeBank** (Chinese: 微众银行) is a Chinese [digital bank](/wiki/neobank) headquartered in Shenzhen. Established in 2014 as one of China's first privately owned internet banks, it is majority-backed by [Tencent](/wiki/list-of-neobanks) and operates without a traditional branch network.[^wb1] Industry trackers frequently rank WeBank as the world's largest digital bank by disclosed customers—on the order of hundreds of millions of users. ## History WeBank received regulatory approval in late 2014 and launched as China's first WeChat-era internet bank, distributing products through Tencent's super-app ecosystem rather than physical branches. Early products emphasised micro-lending and deposits for retail customers underserved by state-owned branch banks. Growth accelerated as China digitised consumer credit and payments through WeChat Pay and related rails.[^wb2] ## Ownership and leadership WeBank is a privately owned commercial bank whose largest shareholder is Tencent. It was launched under China's programme to license internet-only banks alongside peers such as Ant Group's MYBank. Executive leadership has been drawn from Chinese banking and technology circles; public reporting typically emphasises the Tencent relationship and regulatory charter rather than Silicon Valley–style co-founder narratives. ## Licence and model Unlike many Western [partner-bank](/wiki/challenger-bank) [neobanks](/wiki/neobank), WeBank holds a full Chinese banking licence and takes deposits and extends credit on its own balance sheet. Distribution is digital-first—apps and WeChat mini-programmes—while credit decisioning relies heavily on alternative data and machine learning. The model is closer to a licensed internet bank than a front-end fintech wrapping a sponsor bank. ## Products Core offerings include retail deposits, consumer and micro-enterprise loans (notably Weilidai-style microcredit products historically associated with the WeChat ecosystem), wealth-management distribution and payment-linked account services. Product packaging is tightly integrated with Tencent platforms used daily by Chinese consumers. ## Reception WeBank is cited in global rankings as the largest digital bank by user count, dwarfing Western peers such as [Revolut](/wiki/revolut) and [Chime](/wiki/chime). Analysts note that Chinese internet-bank metrics are not always comparable to Western "neobank" app counts, and that WeBank's scale depends on Tencent distribution and China's regulatory environment for private banks. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private (licensed bank) - **Industry**: Digital banking - **Founded**: 2014 - **Headquarters**: Shenzhen, China - **Major shareholder**: Tencent - **Model**: Licensed internet bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is WeBank? WeBank is a Chinese digital bank backed by Tencent and is widely cited as the world's largest digital bank by customer count. ### When was WeBank founded? WeBank was founded in 2014. ### Where is WeBank headquartered? WeBank is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. ### What type of company is WeBank? WeBank is described as Licensed internet bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^wb1]: WeBank is China's first privately owned internet bank, launched with Tencent as a major shareholder. — https://www.webank.com/ [^wb2]: WeBank distributes banking products digitally, including through WeChat-linked channels. — https://www.bis.org/fsi/publ/insights28.pdf --- # Whop > Whop is an American marketplace platform for digital products, communities and creator commerce with payments. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/whop Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, Marketplace platforms, Payment platforms **Whop** is an American marketplace where creators sell access to digital products, communities, software and courses. Payments and payouts are core to the product, placing Whop in the commerce-fintech layer around [neobank](/wiki/neobank) and payment rails.[^whop1] ## History Whop grew as a hub for paid group access and digital goods, bundling discovery, checkout and seller tooling into one marketplace. ## Founders **Steven Schwartz** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Whop](/wiki/whop), the New York-based marketplace for digital products, memberships and creator commerce. Schwartz met co-founder Cameron Zoub as teenagers in sneaker-reselling communities, built bots and early ventures, studied at NYU Stern, and launched Whop in 2021 after graduating—bundling discovery, checkout and access control for paid digital goods. **Cameron Zoub** is co-founder of Whop, partnering with Schwartz from the sneaker-bot era into the marketplace thesis. **Jack Sharkey** is co-founder and chief technology officer, the software engineer who helped build Whop's platform for subscriptions, communities and seller payouts at the intersection of social commerce and payments fintech. ## Reception Whop grew quickly as a marketplace for digital products and paid communities, bundling commerce and payments for creators. It is commerce-fintech infrastructure rather than a deposit [neobank](/wiki/neobank). ## Products Storefronts for digital offerings, subscriptions, access control for communities and payment flows for buyers and sellers. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2021 - **Founders**: Steven Schwartz, Cameron Zoub, Jack Sharkey - **Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: New York, U.S. - **Focus**: Creator marketplace / payments ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Whop? Whop is an American marketplace platform for digital products, communities and creator commerce with payments. ### When was Whop founded? Whop was founded in 2021. ### Where is Whop headquartered? Whop is headquartered in New York, U.S.. ### Who founded Whop? Whop was founded by Steven Schwartz, Cameron Zoub, Jack Sharkey. ### What type of company is Whop? Whop is described as Private in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^whop1]: Whop operates a digital marketplace; it is not a licensed bank. --- # Wise > Wise is a British fintech offering multi-currency accounts and low-cost international transfers. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/wise Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom neobanks, United Kingdom fintech, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Public companies, Companies founded in 2011 **Wise** (formerly TransferWise) is a British financial technology company founded in 2011. It provides multi-currency accounts and international transfers at mid-market rates, and is widely treated as a [neobank](/wiki/neobank)-adjacent account provider even though it is primarily an e-money / payments firm.[^wise1] ## History Founded by Taavet Hinrikus and Kristo Käärmann, TransferWise rebranded to Wise and listed in London. Local account details in multiple currencies became a core growth product beyond simple remittances. ## Founders **Kristo Käärmann** is co-founder and chief executive officer of [Wise](/wiki/wise) (formerly TransferWise). An Estonian entrepreneur previously at Deloitte, Käärmann co-founded the company in London in 2011 after personally experiencing expensive bank FX markups when paying a mortgage abroad. He has led Wise as it pioneered mid-market rate transfers, multi-currency accounts and a public listing, becoming a reference brand for transparent cross-border finance. **Taavet Hinrikus** is co-founder of Wise and served as the company's first employee/executive chairman in early years. Also Estonian—and Skype's early employee number one—Hinrikus partnered with Käärmann on the peer-matching transfer model that undercut traditional banks and helped define the modern multi-currency account category overlapping with business [neobanks](/wiki/neobank). ## Reception Wise (formerly TransferWise) popularised transparent mid-market FX and multi-currency accounts for people and businesses. It is a frequent comparison point for [Airwallex](/wiki/airwallex) and business [neobanks](/wiki/neobank) that compete on cross-border pricing. ## Products Wise Account with local account details, debit cards, business accounts, batch payouts and the Wise Platform API for banks and enterprises embedding cross-border payments. ## Infobox - **Type**: Public (LSE: WISE) - **Founded**: 2011 - **Founders**: Kristo Käärmann, Taavet Hinrikus - **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom - **Model**: Multi-currency account / EMI ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Wise? Wise is a British fintech offering multi-currency accounts and low-cost international transfers. ### When was Wise founded? Wise was founded in 2011. ### Where is Wise headquartered? Wise is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ### Who founded Wise? Wise was founded by Kristo Käärmann, Taavet Hinrikus. ### What type of company is Wise? Wise is described as Multi-currency account / EMI in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^wise1]: Wise plc is a publicly listed cross-border payments and multi-currency account provider. --- # World > World (World App / World Network) is a Tools for Humanity project combining digital identity with a consumer crypto wallet. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/world Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, Global fintech, Self-custody finance, Cryptocurrency companies, Payment platforms **World** refers to the World Network / World App ecosystem associated with Tools for Humanity. It combines proof-of-personhood identity (World ID) with a consumer wallet and payments app, sitting at the intersection of identity, crypto and [neobank](/wiki/neobank)-like balances.[^world1] ## History Announced as Worldcoin and later emphasised as World Network, the project rolled out Orb-based verification and a mobile World App for holding and sending digital assets in supported regions. ## Founders **Sam Altman** is co-founder of Tools for Humanity / the [World](/wiki/world) (formerly Worldcoin) project and better known as CEO of OpenAI. A serial entrepreneur and former president of Y Combinator (after founding Loopt), Altman helped initiate World as a proof-of-personhood network paired with a consumer crypto wallet—arguing global digital identity and inclusive finance require new primitives beyond traditional banks. **Alex Blania** is co-founder and chief executive officer of Tools for Humanity, the company building World ID verification (including Orb hardware) and the World App wallet. Blania leads day-to-day development of the identity-plus-payments ecosystem that sits at the intersection of crypto, identity and [neobank](/wiki/neobank)-like balances, with availability varying by country. ## Reception World (Worldcoin) is polarising: supporters see proof-of-personhood plus a consumer wallet as infrastructure for inclusive digital identity; critics raise privacy concerns about biometric verification. Regulatory treatment differs widely by country. ## Products World App wallet, World ID credentials, and related payment/mini-app experiences. Availability and regulatory treatment vary widely by country. ## Infobox - **Founded**: 2019 - **Founders**: Sam Altman, Alex Blania - **Type**: Project / app ecosystem - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. - **Associated org**: Tools for Humanity - **Focus**: Identity + wallet ## Frequently asked questions ### What is World? World (World App / World Network) is a Tools for Humanity project combining digital identity with a consumer crypto wallet. ### When was World founded? World was founded in 2019. ### Where is World headquartered? World is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### Who founded World? World was founded by Sam Altman, Alex Blania. ### What type of company is World? World is described as Project / app ecosystem in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^world1]: World App and World ID are products in the World Network ecosystem; they are not a traditional licensed retail bank. --- # X > X is the social platform formerly known as Twitter; under Elon Musk it launched X Money, a U.S. payments and banking-adjacent service inside the app. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/x Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United States fintech, United States neobanks, Partner-bank neobanks, Payment platforms, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2006 **X** (formerly **Twitter**) is a global social media platform owned by X Corp. After [Elon Musk](/wiki/elon-musk) acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it to X, the company pursued an "everything app" strategy culminating in **X Money**—peer-to-peer payments, deposit balances and a Visa debit card inside the X app—placing it squarely in [neobank](/wiki/neobank) and fintech coverage on this wiki.[^x1] ## History Twitter launched in 2006 as a microblogging network. In October 2022 [Elon Musk](/wiki/elon-musk) completed his acquisition of Twitter, took the company private, and began restructuring product and staffing. He rebranded the service to **X**, recovered the historic **X.com** domain (the name of his late-1990s finance startup that merged into [PayPal](/wiki/paypal)), and repeatedly framed the goal as an everything app spanning social, messaging, commerce and money. Payments moved from tip/creator experiments to a full money product: after an invite-only beta, **X Money** began rolling out in 2026 to U.S. Premium and Premium+ subscribers—the clearest step yet from social network to consumer finance platform. ## Founders and ownership Twitter was founded in 2006 by **[Jack Dorsey](/wiki/jack-dorsey)**, **Noah Glass**, **Biz Stone** and **Evan Williams**. Dorsey was the early public face and later returned as CEO; Williams (Blogger/Odeo) and Stone shaped the publishing product; Glass contributed to the earliest Odeo-era prototype. In 2022 **[Elon Musk](/wiki/elon-musk)** acquired Twitter and became X's owner and controlling executive. His fintech relevance on this wiki is the closed loop from founding X.com → PayPal, buying Twitter, renaming it X, and launching X Money as the payments layer of that brand. ## X Money **X Money** is X's consumer finance product embedded in the social app. After beta testing, it rolled out more widely to U.S. X Premium and Premium+ users in July 2026. Reported features include fee-free peer-to-peer transfers on X, a deposit/cash balance with advertised high APY for eligible Premium tiers (including boosted rates tied to direct deposit), early direct deposit, cash back on card spend, and an **X Visa** debit card (physical and Apple Wallet) with ATM and everyday spend use. Deposits have been described as held via a [partner-bank](/wiki/partner-bank) / sweep arrangement (including Cross River Bank reporting) rather than X holding a full national bank charter—the classic U.S. front-end [neobank](/wiki/neobank) pattern also used by apps such as [Cash App](/wiki/cash-app) and [Chime](/wiki/chime). Money-transmitter licensing has been statewide and incomplete at launch (coverage reported in dozens of states, with holdouts such as New York and Massachusetts in early rollout coverage). Availability, rates and insurance details remain product- and jurisdiction-dependent. ## Products Core products remain the social feed and Premium subscriptions. Fintech products include creator payouts/tips and **X Money** (balances, P2P, debit card). Financial features and licences change frequently and are secondary to the social network outside markets where X Money is live. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private (X Corp) - **Founded**: 2006 (as Twitter) - **Rebranded**: 2022 (X) - **Original founders**: Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, Evan Williams - **Owner**: Elon Musk - **Fintech product**: X Money (U.S.) - **Model**: Partner-bank / payments in-app - **Headquarters**: San Francisco, U.S. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is X? X is the social platform formerly known as Twitter; under Elon Musk it launched X Money, a U.S. ### When was X founded? X was founded in 2006 (as Twitter). ### Where is X headquartered? X is headquartered in San Francisco, U.S.. ### What type of company is X? X is described as Partner-bank / payments in-app in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^x1]: X Money is a consumer payments and banking-adjacent product inside X; it is not itself a chartered bank. Coverage reflects 2026 U.S. Premium rollout reporting. — https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/28/elon-musks-x-money-app-is-rolling-out-in-the-u-s/ --- # Zopa Bank > Zopa Bank is a UK bank that grew out of the Zopa peer-to-peer lending platform. Source: https://www.neobank.wiki/wiki/zopa-bank Last updated: 2026-08-11 Categories: Financial technology, United Kingdom neobanks, Licensed neobanks, Consumer neobanks, Companies founded in 2005 **Zopa Bank** is a British bank that evolved from **Zopa**, an early peer-to-peer lending marketplace. After securing a banking licence, Zopa expanded into deposits, credit cards and consumer lending as a regulated [challenger bank](/wiki/challenger-bank).[^zo1] ## History Zopa pioneered UK P2P lending in the 2000s. Facing marketplace headwinds and seeking a more durable model, it obtained a bank licence and migrated toward balance-sheet banking while retaining the Zopa consumer brand.[^zo2] ## Founders Zopa was co-founded by **Richard Duvall**, **James Alexander**, **Dave Nicholson** and **Giles Andrews** (among early leaders). The bank era is led by professional management building on that marketplace heritage. ## Licence Zopa Bank is an authorised UK bank offering FSCS-protected deposits and regulated credit products. ## Products Products include savings accounts, personal loans, credit cards and car finance distributed digitally. ## Infobox - **Type**: Private - **Originated**: 2005 (P2P); bank later - **Headquarters**: London, United Kingdom - **Model**: Licensed bank ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Zopa Bank? Zopa Bank is a UK bank that grew out of the Zopa peer-to-peer lending platform. ### Where is Zopa Bank headquartered? Zopa Bank is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ### What type of company is Zopa Bank? Zopa Bank is described as Licensed bank in its neobank.wiki profile. ## References [^zo1]: Zopa Bank is the banking entity of the Zopa consumer finance brand. — https://www.zopa.com/ [^zo2]: Zopa began as a peer-to-peer lender before becoming a bank. — https://www.zopa.com/ ---