Revolut has formally applied for a U.S. banking charter and has appointed Cetin Duransoy, who previously held an executive role at Visa, to lead its U.S. operations, the company said on March 5. The fintech, which reports roughly 70 million customers across 40 markets, is targeting an expanded presence in the United States.
If regulators at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approve its applications, Revolut intends to extend its U.S. product set to include the collection of deposits, lending, the issuance of credit cards and expanded payments services.
Leadership and capital plans
Nik Storonsky, Revolut's founder and chief executive, described the United States as a central component of the firm's global growth ambitions and said the U.S. market will play a role in reaching a target of 100 million customers worldwide. As part of its stated U.S. expansion, Revolut is expected to invest approximately $500 million over the next three to five years, according to Sid Jajodia, the outgoing head of its U.S. business.
Jajodia said that figure covers capital for the potential new bank as well as marketing and hiring. With Duransoy stepping in as U.S. chief executive, Jajodia will move to a global role as chief banking officer.
Customer acquisition and brand strategy
Revolut's marketing approach in markets such as Europe has focused on attracting users by positioning the product as a secondary account for functions like payments and foreign exchange. The company then converts those users to paid offerings by offering subscription-style perks, according to Jajodia. The fintech also invests in high-profile sponsorships - including the Audi Formula 1 team, various soccer clubs and music festivals - and plans to pursue similar brand promotion opportunities in the United States.
Regulatory context and market positioning
Revolut's move into U.S. banking is taking place amid other fintechs and banks making their own U.S. plays. Brazil-based Nubank is awaiting full approval for a U.S. banking license. Spain's Banco Santander launched a digital bank in the United States in 2024 and announced the acquisition of regional lender Webster Financial last month.
On the question of an initial public offering, Jajodia declined to provide timing, noting that private capital remains available. In November, Revolut completed a secondary share sale that implied a valuation of $75 billion.
In the U.K., Revolut's bank arm is operating in a mobilization phase under some restrictions because of its size, Jajodia said. The company serves about 12 million clients in the U.K., and its global operations are subject to close regulatory oversight. Jajodia added that other banks undergoing similar regulatory processes were considerably smaller than Revolut.
The filing for a U.S. bank charter and the leadership change underscore Revolut's intent to broaden its financial services footprint in the United States if regulators provide the necessary approvals. The company has outlined capital commitments and marketing plans to support that expansion, while repositioning senior management to align with its global banking ambitions.