OakNorth Bank posted financial results yesterday that revealed pre-tax profits grew 95 percent in 2019 to £65.9 million.
By the numbers: In four years since launching, OakNorth Bank has become the fastest growing company in Europe, according to the Financial Times.
- OakNorth reported total revenues of £104 million for 2019, up 74 percent year on year
- The bank has lent over £4 billion to British businesses since its launch in September 2015.
- Loans and advances to customers grew 58 percent to £2 billion, compared with a more than 100 percent increase in 2018
- It has attracted deposits from 144,000 savers, up from 28,000 in 2018
- Over 102,000 of those new savers came via partnerships with other leading fintechs, in addition to 42,000 which came to OakNorth directly.
- The bank had £2 billion worth of deposits at the end of 2019, up 68 percent year over year
- The company's claims a Net Promoter Score of 80.5 with its borrowers
"In four years, we have been able to leverage OakNorth’s Platform to build one of the most successful new banks globally, and in doing so, help hundreds of UK businesses who have in turn created thousands of new homes and jobs," said Rishi Khosla, CEO and co-founder of OakNorth.
Carbon footprint: OakNorth has become one of the first banks globally to achieve net carbon zero by offsetting its estimated direct emissions and electricity-generated indirect emissions from its IT infrastructure suppliers.
Context: OakNorth is likely the only major challenger bank to post profits, as financial performance has remained a secondary goal to growth for many competitors.
- OakNorth's technology platform is a key part of its international growth plan. Unlike other challengers, like Revolut, that acquire local banking licenses as part of their expansion strategy, OakNorth uses its platform to partner with balance sheet lenders internationally.
- The challenger bank was valued at $2.8 billion in a deal backed by Softbank’s Vision Fund last year. OakNorth raised $390m from Softbank’s fund, with the remaining capital coming from Clermont.