The Connector Podcast - From Estonian Startup to European Banking Pioneer: InBank's Journey

Ever wonder how a small Estonian startup transformed into a multi-country European bank during one of the most challenging periods in modern financial history? InBank's remarkable journey proves that crisis creates opportunity for those innovative enough to seize it.

After the 2008 financial crisis, when traditional banks pulled back from consumer finance and technology investment, InBank recognized a critical market gap. Their "killer feature" in 2011 was remarkably simple yet revolutionary: fully automated credit decisions and contracts for in-store purchases completed in minutes. This singular focus on seamless customer experiences at the point of sale became their competitive advantage.

What makes InBank's story particularly fascinating is their strategic approach to expansion. Rather than competing directly with traditional banks, they secured a European banking license primarily to access retail deposits as a stable funding source. This enabled their passport across borders, though CEO Priit candidly reveals the challenges of scaling across Europe: "It's not the single market as it is on paper." Despite regulatory harmonization efforts, each country requires significant localization of processes, from identification methods to credit bureau integrations.

Today, InBank exemplifies the evolution of embedded finance, creating tailored experiences for specific verticals—from Apple device rentals to solar panel financing with synthetic securitization. Their focus on medium-ticket purchases (€1,000-25,000) where speed and convenience matter most has attracted 6,000+ partners across multiple countries. As they describe themselves, they're "a fintech with a banking license," bridging traditional banking capabilities with technological innovation.

Curious about partnering with this European embedded finance pioneer? Connect directly with InBank's CEO at [email protected] to explore opportunities for collaboration in this rapidly evolving financial landscape.

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Cheers
Koen Vanderhoydonk
[email protected]

#FinTech #RegTech #Scaleup #WealthTech