Revolut CEO Nikolay Storonsky on the Net Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, Nov. 7, 2019.
Pedro Nunes | Reuters
LONDON — British fintech agency Revolut on Thursday introduced it topped $1 billion in annual revenue for the primary time, a significant milestone for the corporate because it readies the launch of its U.Ok. financial institution later this 12 months.
Revolut, which affords a variety of banking and monetary companies through an app, stated that internet revenue for the 12 months ending Dec. 31, 2024, totaled £1.1 billion ($1.5 billion), up 149% 12 months over 12 months. Revenues on the firm elevated 72% 12 months on 12 months to £3.1 billion, pushed by development throughout completely different income streams.
Revolut’s wealth unit — which incorporates its inventory and crypto-trading companies — noticed outsized development, with income surging 298% to £506 million, whereas subscriptions turnover jumped 74% to £423 million.
Revolut additionally noticed vital development in its mortgage e book, which grew 86% to £979 million. Coupled with a bounce in buyer deposits, this contributed to a 58% improve in curiosity earnings, which totaled £790 million.
UK financial institution rollout
Revolut’s monetary milestone arrives at a important time for the virtually decade-old-firm. The digital banking unicorn has been getting ready a transition to changing into a totally operational financial institution within the U.Ok. after securing a banking license final summer season.
It was granted a banking license with restrictions in July 2024 from the U.Ok.’s Prudential Regulation Authority, bringing an finish to a prolonged utility course of that started again in 2021.
The restricted license implies that Revolut is now within the “mobilization” stage, the place it’s specializing in constructing out its banking operations and infrastructure within the run-up to a full launch. The interval usually lasts about 12 months.
Revolut continues to be awaiting approval from regulators to switch all 11 million of its U.Ok. customers to a brand new banking entity this summer season. As soon as absolutely up and working, the agency will have the ability to start providing loans, overdrafts and mortgages, opening up the trail to new earnings streams.
‘Clients belief banks’
Victor Stinga, Revolut’s chief monetary officer, instructed CNBC on Thursday that the corporate’s intention is to formally launch its U.Ok. financial institution later this 12 months.
“As you may think about, at this scale, it is a thorough course of, and we simply pay lots of consideration to it,” Stinga stated. “We work very carefully on an in depth contact with the PRA [Prudential Regulation Authority] and the FCA [Financial Conduct Authority] on it. We really feel like we’re making nice progress on it.”
Stinga stated {that a} massive benefit of changing into a financial institution within the U.Ok. is means to start out accepting deposits protected by authorities ensures. Licensed banks are lined by the Monetary Providers Compensation Scheme, which implies their prospects can declare as much as £85,000 if a lender goes out of enterprise.
“Clients belief banks, so it means prospects on this transition will use Revolut as a main checking account,” Stinga stated.
Lending is arguably “the largest roadmap merchandise that this unlocks,” Revolut’s CFO stated, including that the agency is taking a look at launching bank cards and private loans, just like the merchandise it already affords within the European Union beneath a separate EU banking license.
Francesca Carlesi, Revolut’s U.Ok. boss, beforehand instructed the Wall Road Journal that Revolut views its journey to changing into a U.Ok. financial institution as an important step in its international growth and eventual IPO. “My predominant strategic focus is making Revolut the first financial institution for everyone within the U.Ok.,” she instructed the WSJ.
It has a steep hill to climb — rivals Monzo and Starling have had a prolonged head begin on Revolut. Monzo obtained its full banking license in 2017, whereas Starling was granted its personal allow in 2016.