Can Australia’s newest bank give the ‘big four’ some real competition?

Australia officially welcomes its newest bank, Revolut Australia, which has received a full banking licence from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. This marks a significant entry into the highly concentrated banking market, competing against the "big four" banks. Revolut Australia already boasts over one million customers for its digital payments app, with the parent company, Revolut Group, being Europe's most valuable startup with more than 75 million customers worldwide.

The test for Revolut Australia will be whether its existing customers, who use the app for travel and foreign exchange, will eventually transition their salaries and savings to the bank, as well as its ability to attract new customers through borrowing. Revolut's success hinges on whether customers are willing to trust it with their financial needs, including home loans, which it currently does not offer.

Revolut's journey to becoming a bank began with its founding in London in 2015, initially offering a travel card to make overseas spending and international transfers more affordable. The app progressed to include features like currency exchange, budget tracking, investments, cryptocurrency, and business accounts. In 2018, Revolut received a specialised European banking licence, expanding its services further.

Five years later, the company received a full banking licence in the UK, followed by a similar achievement in Australia.

However, other "neobanks" in Australia, such as Volt Bank, Xinja, and 86 400, have faced challenges. Volt Bank closed in 2022 due to insufficient capital, Xinja returned customers' money after struggling to develop a large loan book, and 86 400 was acquired by National Australia Bank (NAB), folding into NAB's digital-first division. Despite these setbacks, Revolut's global backing and large customer base present an advantage.