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Neobanks beat other fintechs to profit thanks to SME lending gap

Financial Times Companies ·

🇬🇧 English

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

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🇸🇦 العربية

البanks الرقمية تحقق أرباحًا من فجوة إقراض الشركات الصغيرة

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

لماذا البنوك الرقمية أكثر ربحية من fintech المستهلك في بريطانيا؟

البanks الرقمية التي تركز على إقراض الشركات الصغيرة achieve profitability faster due to a gap left by traditional banks, which have reduced SME lending due to higher risk and lower returns. Digital lenders like Allica Bank, Iwoca, and Oak North have capitalized on this underserved market, with strong demand and scalable models enabling quicker break-even points compared to consumer-focused fintechs.

العربية version →


🇧🇩 বাংলা

নিওব্যাংক एसএমই loan差距 থেকে লাভ করছে

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

কেন ব্রিটিশ নিওব্যাংক, consumer fintech-র তুলনাে quicker profitable?

এসএমই loan-র জন্য ফোকাস করে নিওব্যাংক, traditional banks-র দ্বারা छोड़े गए gap-র因為 quicker profitability achieve। Allica Bank, Iwoca এবং Oak North जैसे digital lenders এই underserved market-র capitalize করেছে, strong demand এবং scalable models consumer-focused fintech-র তুলনাে quicker break-even point enable করে।

বাংলা version →


🇩🇪 Deutsch

Neobanken profitieren von Lücken im KMU-Kreditgeschäft

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

Warum sind Neobanken profitabler als Verbraucher-Fintechs im Vereinigten Königreich?

Auf KMU ausgerichtete Neobanken erreichen profitability faster aufgrund der Lücke, die traditionelle Banken hinterlassen haben, die aufgrund höherer Risiken und geringerer Renditen vom KMU-Kreditgeschäft abrückten. Digitale Kreditgeber wie Allica Bank, Iwoca und Oak North haben dieses unterversorgte Marktsegment erobert, mit starker Nachfrage und skalierbaren Modellen, die schnellere Break-even-Points im Vergleich zu verbraucherorientierten Fintechs ermöglichen.

Deutsch version →


🇪🇸 Español

Bancos neobanco obtienen beneficios del vacío de préstamos a PYMES

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

¿Por qué los bancos neobanco son más rentables que las fintech de consumo en el Reino Unido?

Los bancos neobanco que se centran en el préstamo a PYMES están logrando rentabilidad más rápido debido al vacío dejado por los bancos tradicionales, que han reducido el préstamo a PYMES por mayor riesgo y menores retornos. Los prestamistas digitales como Allica Bank, Iwoca y Oak North han aprovechado este mercado desatendido, con fuerte demanda y modelos escalables que permiten puntos de equilibrio más rápidos en comparación con las fintech centradas en el consumo.

Español version →


🇫🇷 Français

Les néobanks profitent du vide du prêt aux PME

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

Pourquoi les néobanks sont-elles plus rentables que les fintech de consommation au Royaume-Uni ?

Les néobanks se concentrant sur le prêt aux PME atteignent la rentabilité plus rapidement en raison du vide laissé par les banques traditionnelles, qui ont réduit le prêt aux PME en raison d'un risque plus élevé et de rendements plus faibles. Les prêteurs numériques comme Allica Bank, Iwoca et Oak North ont profité de ce marché sous-servi, avec une forte demande et des modèles évolutifs permettant des points d'équilibre plus rapides par rapport aux fintech centrées sur le consommateur.

Français version →


🇮🇳 हिन्दी

नेओबैंक एसएमई ऋण अंतर से लाभ कमा रहे हैं

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

क्यों नेबैंक, ब्रिटेन में उपभोक्ता फिनटेक की तुलना में अधिक लाभदायक हैं?

एसएमई ऋण पर केंद्रित नेबैंक पारंपरिक बैंकों द्वारा छोड़े गए अंतर के कारण तेजी से लाभ कमा रहे हैं, जिन्होंने उच्च जोखिम और कम रिटर्न के कारण एसएमई ऋण कम कर दिया है। Allica Bank, Iwoca और Oak North जैसे डिजिटल ऋणदाता इस उपेक्षित बाजार में शामिल हुए हैं, मजबूत मांग और स्केलेबल मॉडल उपभोक्ता- केंद्रित फिनटेक की तुलना में तेजी से ब्रेक-ईवन बिंदु सक्षम बनाते हैं।

हिन्दी version →


🇮🇩 Bahasa Indonesia

Neobank dari gap pinjaman SME memperoleh keuntungan

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

Mengapa Neobank lebih profitabel dari fintech konsumen di Britain?

Berkoncentrasi pada pinjaman SME Neobank, traditional banks oleh ditinggalkan gap karena higher risk and lower returns. Digital lenders seperti Allica Bank, Iwoca, dan Oak North telah memanfaatkan market ini yang tidak layak pelayanan, dengan permintaan yang kuat dan model yang scalable, memungkinkan break-even point yang lebih cepat berbanding fintech yang konsumen berorientasi.

Bahasa Indonesia version →


🇯🇵 日本語

ネオバンクがSME貸付ギャップから利益を上げる

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

なぜ英国のネオバンクは消費者フィンテックより利益が出やすいのですか?

SME貸付に焦点を当てたネオバンクは、伝統的銀行がリスクが高く利益率が低いためSME貸付から撤退した隙間があるため、より早く利益を達成します。Allica Bank、Iwoca、Oak Northなどのデジタル貸し手は、強い需要とスケーラブルなモデルにより、消費者向けフィンテックより早く損益分岐点に達することができました。

日本語 version →


🇧🇷 Português

Neobanks lucram com a lacuna de empréstimo a PME

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

Por que neobanks são mais rentáveis do que fintech de consumo no Reino Unido?

Neobanks focusing on SME lending are achieving profitability faster due to a gap left by traditional banks, which have reduced SME lending due to higher risk and lower returns. Digital lenders like Allica Bank, Iwoca, and Oak North have capitalized on this underserved market, with strong demand and scalable models enabling quicker break-even points compared to consumer-focused fintechs.

Português version →


🇷🇺 Русский

Необанки получают прибыль от разрыва в кредитованию МСП

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

Почему необанки более прибыльны, чем потребительские финтех в Великобритании?

Необанки, фокусирующиеся на кредитовании МСП, достигают прибыли быстрее из-за разрыва, оставленного традиционными банками, которые сократили кредитование МСП из-за большего риска и меньшей рентабельности. Цифровые кредиторы, такие как Allica Bank, Iwoca и Oak North,利用了 этот недоразвитый рынок, с сильным спросом и масштабируемыми моделями, обеспечивающими более быструю точку безубыточности по сравнению с потребительскими финтехами.

Русский version →


🇨🇳 简体中文

数字银行从中小企业贷款差距中获利

Britain’s digital lenders to small businesses are outperforming consumer fintechs by achieving profitability faster, filling a lending gap left by traditional banks. Challenger banks now provide the majority of financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with non-traditional lenders accounting for 60% of annual lending to small businesses in 2024. Allica Bank, which lends to businesses with 5–250 employees, reported its first statutory pre-tax profit in 2023 and generated £36.9mn in profit in 2025, a 23% increase.

It has applied for a Swedish banking licence and plans expansion in Northern Europe. Iwoca posted its first pre-tax profit in 2018 and is exploring a sale that could value it at over £1bn, with revenue up 56% to £366mn in 2025. Oak North, the first UK digital challenger bank to turn a profit (in 2017), acquired Michigan-based Community Unity Bank to expand into the US.

Richard Davies, CEO of Allica Bank, notes a significant market shift toward challengers and fintechs over the past 15 years, as traditional banks retreated from SME lending due to higher risk and lower profitability.

为什么英国中小企业贷款的数字银行比消费金融科技更盈利?

专注于中小企业贷款的数字银行之所以能更快实现盈利,是因为传统银行因风险更高、回报率较低而削减了中小企业贷款。Allica Bank、Iwoca和Oak North等数字贷款人利用了这一服务不足的市场,强劲的需求和可扩展的模型使其比以消费为导向的金融科技更快达到盈亏平衡点。

简体中文 version →