Monzo’s chief operating officer Sujata Bhatia is leaving the UK challenger bank after five years.Bhatia announced on LinkedIn that she is "stepping away" from the neobank, saying it was the right time to exit.She said:“There’s never a good time to leave a company that’s on a tear and has some of the best and smartest people driving it forward, but in many ways, that’s exactly why it feels like the right time. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved as a company over the last five years.”Bhatia, a former American Express executive, pointed to some Monzo highlights during her tenure, including the challenger backing becoming full-year profitable.She also singled out CEO TS Anil, who she said had taken the “bar for leadership to new levels".Bhatia, who was part of Monzo’s executive team, didn’t reveal details of her next move.Prior to Monzo, Bhatia spent almost 16 years at American Express, including roles as senior vice president for Global Merchant Services Europe and senior vice president of Global Strategy and Capabilities.Anil said:“Sujata has been an incredible force over the past five years and I’d like to pay a special thanks to her for everything she’s done to help build Monzo into the success it is today. She leaves with all our love and gratitude as she embarks on her next chapter.”Monzo, which now has move 10 million customers, and is valued at $5.9bn, is set to launch across the EU next year

The last half-decade of the 2020s looms, and for FinTechs and financial services in general, the dust has just started to be kicked up on Capitol Hill and in the White House in terms of new regulations and even a reshaping of the regulatory agencies themselves. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Rohit Chopra was removed, and there is a bill in Congress afoot to abolish the agency itself. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. issued a slew of consent orders that delve into AML and KYC. Thredd CEO Jim McCarthy told Karen Webster that a seismic shift will define the sector

Recognized as one of the most dynamic and innovative ecosystems globally, the UK is home to a thriving network of startups, scale-ups, and established tech giants. With strong infrastructure, access to venture capital, and a highly skilled workforce, the UK remains a global leader in sectors like fintech, artificial intelligence, and digital health. In 2024, the UK maintained its leading position, raising €17.5 billion (23.6% of total investments) across more than 861 deals. While the country retained its position from the previous year, the total amount raised was approximately 30% lower than in 2023, when UK companies raised €24.7 billion. Nevertheless, the ecosystem faces challenges, such as a shortage of tech talent due to competition with global markets, high operating costs, and uncertainties around post-Brexit regulatory frameworks. Despite these obstacles, the UK’s tech sector remains resilient, continuing to attract significant investment and foster innovation