Starling Bank has initiated a campaign to market its Engine software platform to United States lenders, with a focus on mid-tier banks and credit unions that possess assets ranging from USD 5 billion to USD 50 billion.
This British digital bank intends to secure its first US banking client by the beginning of 2026 as it seeks international growth beyond its consumer banking activities.
Starling has engaged advisers from Deloitte and PwC to find potential clients for Engine, a software platform that enables lenders to design and build digital banking capabilities. Sam Everington, the Chief Executive of Engine, told the Financial Times that the company plans to offer services to multiple institutions across North America, though he did not name any specific targets.
Market Positioning and Revenue Goals
Everington highlighted market concentration as a significant opportunity, noting that established software providers dominate over 90% of the US banking technology sector. He pointed out that many US banks still operate on outdated technology infrastructure and rely on workaround solutions like Cash App and Venmo for payment services.
Engine has set a goal to generate nearly USD 136 million in annual recurring revenue. The software business reported around USD 4.6 million in annual recurring revenue and a pre-tax loss of USD 16.5 million for the year ending March 2025.
US Operations Infrastructure
In 2025, Engine established a Delaware subsidiary and appointed Jody Bhagat, a former McKinsey partner, as its US president to manage the expansion of its New York office by USD 50 million. Currently, Engine serves three banking clients in Canada, Romania, and Australia.
Starling aims to compete with established financial software providers such as Jack Henry, Finastra, Fiserv, and Fidelity National Information Services. The company’s chief financial officer, Declan Ferguson, has previously shown interest in acquiring a US bank to obtain an American banking license.
The push into the US market aligns with broader trends among UK-based fintech companies targeting North American expansion as domestic consumer growth rates slow down.
