Varo Money says it has received FDIC approval for federal deposit insurance, bringing it closer to a national bank charter, a first for a fintech startup
Varo Money has spent years raising toward this moment: a $45M Series B in 2018 backed by Warburg Pincus and The Rise Fund positioned it as one of the better-funded mobile banking startups chasing a full charter rather than renting one from a sponsor bank. FDIC approval of federal deposit insurance is the gate that puts a national charter within reach — something no US fintech startup had achieved.
The approval also sets up the funding that followed: within months Varo closed a $241M Series D led by Gallatin Point Capital and The Rise Fund, suggesting investors read the charter path as de-risking the model.
First-order effects
Varo can now hold customer deposits under federal insurance directly, removing its dependence on a partner bank's balance sheet and license as it completes the charter process.
Second-order effects
Other consumer fintechs see the charter route validated: Square pursued the same regulator, and by early 2021 its Square Financial Services industrial bank had started operations after FDIC approval — charter applications becoming a competitive race among neobanks.
The trend: US consumer fintechs are shifting from renting bank licenses through sponsor-bank partnerships to owning regulated bank charters, accepting heavier compliance burdens in exchange for control over deposits and payments economics.
Big news out of @VaroMoney today. Congratulations to them and to @colindwalshsf https://www.axios.com/...
@colindwalshsf
Colin Walsh on x
I am thrilled to share that the FDIC has approved Varo Money Inc.'s application for Federal Deposit Insurance. A truly landmark moment in banking history. #challengerbanks #innovation #banking #fintech #financialhealth #financialinclusion https://medium.com/...
@iankar_
Ian Kar on x
Almost postive Varo is the first digital bank to get a charter in the US, so important milestone for fintech. But does the process get easier for others? I don't think that's the case... https://twitter.com/...
@nameet
Nameet Potnis on x
It's been a 3-year journey to acquire national bank charter and @VaroMoney finally gets FDIC approval!! Neobanks have dreamed of this day since @simple first launched in 2012. Congrats to @colindwalshsf and team! https://www.axios.com/...
@varomoney
Varo on x
Extremely proud to announce we've received approval from the @FDICgov for deposit insurance. This brings us one big step closer to obtaining a national bank charter, which paves the way for Varo to become the first-ever digital national bank in the U.S. https://www.wsj.com/...
@collins_belton
Collins Belton on x
Big news from @VaroMoney. If successful, they will be the 1st fintech that has a real bank charter, allowing them to do everything a “normal” bank can. Expect others like @brexHQ and @BankMercury to follow. https://www.axios.com/...
@emilyjnicolle
Emily Nicolle on x
Varo Money has become the first digital bank to gain FDIC approval for a US charter (after an application period of three years). Will this landmark moment speed up the process for Revolut or Monzo down the line? https://www.axios.com/...
@marcuswevanssr
@marcuswevanssr on x
Varo set to become America's first standalone national digital bank: The FDIC has given Varo Money its official seal of approval, according to Varo CEO Colin Walsh. Why it matters: It's the crucial second step for Varo to become a... https://www.axios.com/... #business #top https…
@tbakerbroadmoor
Todd H. Baker on x
@Varo Money Inc. will start its life as an operating bank with a million customers and their checking deposits. Contrast that with the typical start-up bank which starts at zero... #challengerbanks #neobanks #fintech #financialinnovation https://twitter.com/...
@nikmilanovic
Nik on x
This could be the start of a major transition for #fintech. Regulatory recognition is a critical milestone on the road to financial inclusion through new innovative business models: https://medium.com/... @VaroMoney #financialinclusion
@peter
Peter Berg on x
This is definitely one to watch. It's been extremely difficult to get new bank charters in the US. https://twitter.com/...
@charleyma
Charley Ma on x
This is going to interesting to see what Varo will be able to do with a bank charter and what's more scaleable + profitable: tech enabled financial institutions vs tech built on financial institutions https://twitter.com/...
@w_hernandez16
Will Hernandez on x
The first time I met Colin was at Money 20/20 some 3, almost 4 years ago. It's been interesting to see Varo go through the process along the way, and chat with Colin at times about said process. Varo is about to break the goal line. https://twitter.com/...
@collins_belton
Collins Belton on x
These are the real enterprises crypto startups are competing with, and they'd be smart to pay attention before @Varomoney, @n26, et. al. seed themselves in the public's mind as “good enough” over censorship resistant currencies.
@mengxilu
Mengxi Lu on x
.@VaroMoney finally got FDIC approval, nears final stage of a 3-year journey to acquire national bank charter. Neobanks have dreamed of this day since @simple first launched in 2012, it's been a long time coming. Congrats to @colindwalshsf and team! https://www.axios.com/...
@consortpartners
Consort Partners on x
Securing a national banking charter after its FDIC approval for @VaroMoney would be a “a watershed moment,” per @colindwalshsf. Read more on the history being made from @WSJ's @Orla_McCaffrey: https://www.wsj.com/...
@sarthakgh
Sar Haribhakti on x
“While Goldman Sachs received its bank charter in one day in 2008, the process for Varo Money has taken more than three years.” Cost of capital advantage is a matter of regulatory approvals more than anything else. Once that hurdle gets simpler, there will be a dominoe effect htt…