Starling Bank expands to US with Engine platform

By Vriti Gothi

Starling Bank to enter the North American market with the launch of its cloud-based banking platform, Engine by Starling, in the US.

Engine, which has underpinned Starling’s growth in the UK, will now be made available to mid-sized banks, community banks and credit unions across the US seeking to modernise infrastructure and compete more effectively in an increasingly digital banking environment.

Engine by Starling Services US LLC, the new Delaware-based subsidiary, will serve as the hub for the group’s operations in the region. The decision to establish a dedicated entity reflects the bank’s commitment to tailoring its technology to meet the specific regulatory and operational needs of the North American market.

Originally developed to run Starling’s operations, Engine is a cloud-native, API-enabled platform designed to support core banking functions, card services, payments and customer engagement tools within a single system. By licensing its technology to other institutions, Starling aims to address the growing demand for digital transformation among financial services providers facing outdated systems and rising customer expectations.

Raman Bhatia, Group CEO of Starling Bank, said, “This is a landmark moment for Starling and an exciting opportunity for banks across North America. Engine is the technology that has powered Starling’s success in the UK, and it is now ready to help US institutions reimagine what modern banking can be. We believe Engine will enable them to innovate at pace, operate more efficiently, and exceed their customers’ digital expectations.”

Sam Everington, CEO of Engine by Starling, said, “Engine was born inside a digital bank and designed to evolve constantly. We know the challenges that banks face when it comes to replacing legacy technology, and we’ve solved them. Engine combines proven technology with a managed service model that gives banks the freedom to focus on their customers while we take care of the rest.”

The US expansion follows the platform’s deployment with banking partners in Europe and Australia, including Salt Bank in Romania and AMP Bank in Australia. The move comes at a time when many regional banks and credit unions in the US are under pressure to improve digital services while balancing regulatory requirements and operational efficiency.

Starling’s leadership has indicated that the newly formed US subsidiary will focus initially on building a local team and securing its first clients, with plans for an East Coast base currently under consideration. Early discussions with prospective banking partners are already underway as Starling seeks to demonstrate how its technology can help institutions modernise and launch new products more rapidly.

The launch of Engine in North America underscores Starling’s strategy to position itself not only as a challenger bank in the UK but also as a global technology provider capable of supporting other banks on their digital journeys.