Digital bank Starling Bank has opened a third UK office – this one in Cardiff. According to a note from the Fintech, the office will create 400 jobs in Wales. The new operation will grow Starling’s back-office operation that includes data science, customer service and more. It may have helped that Starling Bank’s CEO and founder Anne Boden is a native of Wales.
The new hub is said to enable Starling to maintain the growth of its business and personal banking offerings, and continue to better serve its customers that have now reached 1.3 million accounts. Currently, Starling Bank has approximately 800 employees in London and Southampton.
Trade and Invest Wales assisted in the opening of the office as Starling contributes to Wales’ growing £8.5 billion tech sector.
Ken Skates, Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister commented on the expansion:
“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Starling Bank to Wales. Our thriving Fintech ecosystem has seen a number of companies make the move to Wales following Welsh Government advice and support, and it’s fantastic Starling has decided to do the same, creating 400 new jobs with more to come. As a government, we can be rightly proud of our role in growing the financial and related professional services sector in what is a very competitive global business environment.”
Boden said the Welsh tech sector is one of the fastest digital economies outside of London and continues to grow.
“Cardiff is also a bright, dynamic and entrepreneurial city with a supportive ecosystem which we are looking to tap into as we continue to grow our business and personal accounts. We believe that London’s success as a fintech hub should enable it to spread wealth and jobs throughout the UK and the wider economy. That’s exactly what we’re doing with this office in Cardiff.”
