Engine by Starling has launched a US subsidiary as it looks to expand its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business into North America.
Marking the company’s first overseas subsidiary, Engine by Starling Services US LLC will be registered in Delaware. The firm is currently building out a local team and scouting for a regional headquarters on the US East Coast, with North Carolina, Florida, and Washington, DC shortlisted as potential markets.
According to a company release, the US team will include a mix of local hires, led by a President, and secondaries from Engine’s UK-based specialist team.
Raman Bhatia, Group CEO of Starling Bank, commented: “This is a significant step as we take the technology that has enabled Starling’s success in the UK to more financial institutions around the world.”
Bhatia went on to describe Engine by Starling as a business that “banks need to succeed in the digital world”.
Engine by Starling is the SaaS arm of Starling Bank, built to commercialise the technology that powers the bank’s digital platform. What sets Engine apart is that all of its core banking infrastructure was developed entirely in-house, which is used to not only fuel Starling’s own operations, but is now being licensed to banks globally.
The “right time”
The platform has already been adopted by institutions such as Salt Bank, Romania’s first digital bank, which went live last year, and most recently AMP in Australia. Bhatia believes now is the “right time” to start competing in the North American market.
The continent presents a significant growth opportunity for Starling, with around 4,000 mid-tier banks, community banks, and credit unions. As in many other Western markets, these institutions are often held back by outdated legacy systems and face growing pressure to adapt to a digital-first landscape.
Sam Everington, CEO of Engine by Starling, noted that the business is already in promising conversations with several potential partners across North America.
“Engine delivers a unique ability to unify tech stacks, drive efficiency and encourage innovation through one managed service,” Everington added. “It is a very compelling proposition that’s specifically designed to bring digital propositions to life faster and with very high quality outcomes.”
