Digital bank Monzo have confirmed they will make a foray into the lucrative European market by using Ireland as a springboard.
Bolstered by a £489.5 million funding round led by Alphabet’s investment fund CapitalG, which gave them a valuation of over £4 billion, they are preparing to open an office on the Emerald Isle.
The neobank recently recorded their first annual profit since launching in 2015, benefiting from higher interest rates and growth in transaction fees and subscriptions.
Monzo were one of the earliest players in the challenger banking scene. Entrepreneur Tom Blomfield co-founded the company to disrupt high street banks.
They have since accrued over two million customers, and the move to Ireland will help them garner more. However, there are notable implications for Irish banking.
Monzo’s arrival will potentially disrupt the digital payment landscape in numerous sectors, with online gambling industry one of the most noteworthy.
The firm prioritises security and transparency, which will appeal to the best betting apps in Ireland and bettors looking for a secure and reliable payment method.
Having focused on debit card payments and e-Wallets up to this point, the Irish online betting industry could benefit massively from what Monzo has to offer.
Ireland Could be the Gateway to Europe
Monzo want to open an office in Dublin that serves as a route to the wider European market.
This move is a well-thought-out plan as they will leverage Ireland’s European Union membership and well-established regulatory environment for financial services.
It allows Monzo to gain a foothold in the continent without tackling complex individual national regulations. Monzo’s presence will inject competition into the scene, translating to benefits for Irish bank customers.
Challenger banks are known for disrupting traditional banking models by offering lower fees and more competitive interest rates. Monzo could push established Irish banks to re-evaluate their fee structures to remain attractive to their existing customer base.
Monzo has also been lauded for their user-friendly mobile app and innovative features. Their entry might pressure Irish banks to invest in improving their own digital offerings. Customers will hope to get less buggy, visually appealing and beautiful apps that function properly.
Customer service has been a sticking point for most traditional Irish banking customers, and they will hope to see the established banks address this issue.
Competition breeds innovation, and having Monzo in the frame could strongarm existing banks into delivering more intuitive financial tools.
Traditional Irish banks may need to develop new products and services that actually cater to evolving customer needs and preferences, not just offerings that drive customer clicks and boost revenue.
Products such as student accounts with budgeting features, gamified savings plans and real-time expense trackers are mong the changes we could see in Ireland.
Irish Banks Need to Up Their Game
Irish banks must ensure their customer service remains top-notch to compete with Monzo’s reputation for a seamless digital experience.
They need to return to the drawing board to assess their product offerings and pricing structures to remain competitive.
There is time to improve existing products with new features, rethink interest rates on loans and savings accounts, and ensure their product offerings cater to the diverse needs of their customers.
However, while Monzo will potentially disrupt the banking sector in Ireland, there are also multiple reasons to be cautious about their arrival.
Monzo might see Ireland as a springboard for expansion into the wider EU and not necessarily a customer base to serve directly.
There is currently no timeline for the London-quartered company’s arrival on the Emerald Isle. Irish consumers may need to wait a while before enjoying their offerings.
It is also worth noting that while Ireland is a business-friendly environment, navigating the regulatory hurdles involved in financial services could slow down Monzo’s expansion plans.
These regulatory requirements and approvals may delay the launch of their services in Ireland. Monzo’s failure to implement stronger anti-financial crime provisions has been an issue elsewhere.
A civil probe is still ongoing regarding a case of compliance with money laundering regulations despite the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) dropping its two-year criminal investigation into the bank.