Exclusive: FCA licence approvals slump September 15, 2025 As few as six e-money licence applications have been granted by the UK’s financial regulator over the past 9 months, City AM can reveal, underscoring the scale of the regulatory obstacles faced by Britain’s fintech startups. Data obtained by City AM via Freedom of Information request showed that not a single authorised electronic money institution (AEMI) licence [...]
Klarna could trigger a fintech IPO boom but can London benefit? September 11, 2025 Klarna’s hot debut on the New York Stock Exchange has opened the doors for a flood of fintech listings but analysts are raising concerns whether the London market can enjoy this new stream. The Swedish fintech unicorn’s stock popped 15 per cent from its IPO price of $40. Shares closed at $45.82 after raising $222m. [...]
UK fintech holds European crown but UAE threat looms September 11, 2025 UK fintech maintained a heavy level of activity in the first half of 2025 but faced new threats from growing financial hubs. Over 70 significant acquisitions of smaller rivals or complementary businesses were reported in the UK and Europe over the half. This represented a 50 per cent bump on acquisitions compared to the previous [...]
Starling Bank eyes £4bn valuation in secondary share sale September 10, 2025 UK fintech Starling is eyeing a valuation of £4bn in a new secondary share sale. The digital lender is in talks with Morgan Stanley and Rothschild to run the sale process, which the firm is hoping could help it net a valuation between £3.5bn and £4bn. The sale – the first since the group’s valuation [...]
FCA plans to allow contactless payment limits above £100 September 10, 2025 Card providers are set to be given the powers to set their own limits on contactless payments, which are currently set at £100, under proposals set out by the City regulator. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed that it will consult industry on whether the rules should be relaxed as part of its task [...]
Klarna’s IPO success could lure fintechs away from London September 10, 2025 By Oscar McDonald Swedish buy-now-pay-later giant Klarna has teed up its second attempt at an IPO, with the eyes of the fintech world set on its New York debut. The company’s valuation has been on a rollercoaster ride over the past three years, peaking at £33.6bn in July 2021 before plummeting to £4.95bn a year [...]
Clearbank brings fintech revolution to corporate banking September 9, 2025 UK fintech Clearbank has laid out plans to power up its embedded banking services and take on legacy banks on a new battlefield. The firm said outdated “one-size-fits-all” approaches from centuries-old high street banks were “no longer fit for work” and set out plans to challenge traditional transaction services in areas like travel, hospitality and [...]
London fintech Monese says it needs more cash to survive after Pockit takeover September 9, 2025 Monese has warned it will need fresh investment if it is to survive for another year as the London fintech embarks on a change in strategy to put itself on a firmer financial footing. The current account and money transfer business, which last year was acquired by fintech firm Pocket in a rescue deal, said [...]
Challenger banks face ‘profitability trap’ at growth crossroads September 8, 2025 The UK banking sector faces a profitability roadblock that will give the industry’s challengers an “existential” turning point. Fresh data from KPMG suggests the industry’s average return on equity will fall to eight per cent come 2027 down from 13 per cent four years prior. This is set to spark an £11bn reduction in pre-tax [...]
Klarna confirms second hit at New York listing in snub to London September 2, 2025 Swedish fintech unicorn Klarna has launched its second hit at a listing on the New York Stock Exchange after its initial attempt was derailed by President Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught. The buy now, pay later giant said its IPO price is expected to be between $35 and $37 per ordinary share and hopes to raise [...]