Revolut Secures Banking Licences in New Zealand, Israel
The fintech's latest licences extend its international footprint as it plans at least $1bn in Latin American investment.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Financial Services
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Revolut has secured banking licences in New Zealand and Israel, adding to its presence in more than 40 countries and its base of over 80 million retail customers. The fintech was valued at $115bn in a share sale and reported 2025 revenue of $6.0bn.
Why it matters
Revolut's expansion comes as rivals such as N26 and Monzo have faced regulatory constraints, including a German cap on N26's new sign-ups and a £21m FCA fine on Monzo over financial-crime controls. Its fee-driven revenue model and low loan-to-deposit ratio distinguish it from traditional lenders.
Revolut reported $6.0bn in 2025 revenue, with income from the rest of the world growing 175% while the UK and Europe still generate about 96% of fee and commission income. The source does not indicate launch timing for the new licences.
The players
Revolut
A London-headquartered fintech that has grown into a global digital bank serving more than 80 million retail customers.
N26
A Berlin-based digital bank whose rapid international expansion drew a German regulatory cap on new customer sign-ups.
Monzo
A UK digital bank that withdrew its US banking licence application in 2021 and was later fined by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The details
The licences in New Zealand and Israel add to Revolut's footprint across more than 40 countries, all run on a single product platform. Revolut also plans to invest at least $1bn into its Latin American expansion, a figure the source presents as a projection.
Timeline
2021: Monzo withdrew its US banking licence application.
2021 to 2024: Germany's regulator capped N26's new sign-ups at 50,000 monthly.
2024: The FCA fined Monzo £21m over financial-crime controls.
2025: Revolut reported $6.0bn in revenue.
- 2026-11-13
Revolut's New Zealand and Israel licences were reported.
Market Landscape
Revolut's growth contrasts with N26, whose expansion into 25 markets drew Germany's 2021 to 2024 cap of 50,000 new sign-ups per month. Monzo's withdrawn US licence application and later FCA fine show how regulatory scrutiny has shaped rivals' international moves.
Customers of Revolut's existing platform see no change in the source, but the new licences could eventually expand which markets residents can open accounts in. Users in Latin America may see new products if the planned $1bn investment proceeds as projected.
The takeaway
Revolut's fee-led model and low loan-to-deposit ratio suggest its earnings depend less on credit cycles than traditional banks'. Readers following fintech should watch how regulators in new markets respond to rapid customer growth.
Further reading
For broader context on how digital banks are reshaping lending and payments, see Financial Services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Retail Banker International.
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