TIMELINE
THE BIRTH AND
RISE OF UK
CHALLENGER
BANKS
2014 2015-16 2017
The UK ' s first app-based bank , Atom Bank , which is based in the north of England , broke the UK banking mould and spawned a new industry .
Revolut was second on the scene launching in the UK and was swiftly followed by Monese and Tandem . In 2016 , Monzo , launched as ‘ Mondo ’. Monzo ’ s founding team met while working at rival fintech Starling Bank . The move spawned tensions between Monzo and their subsequent rival - as Starling Bank emerged as a challenger months later .
Starling Bank joins the flock - the fintech ’ s launch was delayed so that it could receive its banking licence from regulators before opening for business .