Observed Signal · May 27, 2026 · Regulatory Approval · Source: Manager Magazin · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
Bertelsmann Fintech Riverty Wins Bank License
Bertelsmann's fintech subsidiary Riverty has received a bank licence in Luxembourg, enabling the company to offer a broader range of credit products. Bertelsmann will provide a three‑digit million euro equity commitment and additional investments to build the bank. Riverty, which handles invoice and instalment payments (Buy Now, Pay Later) for merchants including Asos and Lego, reported growth within Bertelsmann's Arvato services division and counts about 40 million customers. Bertelsmann board member Carsten Coesfeld, who oversees Riverty, and Riverty CEO Andreas Barth said the licence — granted within about ten months — positions the company to expand European financial services while keeping the Riverty brand largely merchant‑facing rather than becoming a consumer retail bank. The move is positioned as a competitive alternative to Klarna and may fill gaps left by Solaris's recent pullback from certain card products.
A major media conglomerate (Bertelsmann) gaining a bank licence for its BNPL arm expands its ability to offer credit and merchant financial products across European e‑commerce, potentially reshaping merchant payment options and competition with established BNPL players.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Riverty obtained a bank licence in Luxembourg.
- Bertelsmann will provide a three‑digit million euro equity commitment and further investments to build the bank.
- Riverty offers Buy Now, Pay Later services and works with merchants including Asos and Lego.
- Riverty counts about 40 million customers and contributed to Arvato's revenue and profit growth.
- The bank licence process completed in about ten months; Riverty plans to introduce credit products and merchant-branded card offerings.
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Bertelsmann’s Riverty Secures Luxembourg Bank License
Bertelsmann’s fintech subsidiary Riverty has received a banking license in Luxembourg, enabling the company to offer a broader range of credit products and expand its payments business. Bertelsmann is providing a three‑digit million euro equity commitment and additional investments to build the bank. Riverty — which handles invoicing and installment financing (Buy‑Now‑Pay‑Later) for merchants such as Asos and Lego — counts about 40 million customers and is positioned as a quieter, merchant‑facing alternative to Klarna. Carsten Coesfeld, Bertelsmann board member responsible for Riverty, and Riverty CEO Andreas Barth said the move strengthens European financial capabilities; the license was granted within about ten months. The article notes Arvato’s recent revenue growth and suggests Riverty may fill gaps left by Solaris exiting parts of the card business.
Bertelsmann’s Riverty Bank License and SpaceX Bitcoin Surprise
A Finance Forward newsletter (published 2026-05-27) highlights several finance and payments developments: Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel halted a major renovation of the Frankfurt headquarters, leaving an internal construction unit of about 100 employees without the planned project. Media group Bertelsmann is pushing into banking: its payments subsidiary Riverty has received a banking license, positioning it as a competitor to Klarna; Carsten Coesfeld is overseeing the initiative. SpaceX disclosed in its prospectus that it holds 18,712 bitcoins, purchased for $661 million with a current market value around $1.4 billion, making it one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders. The newsletter also notes senior moves and regulatory approvals in payments and fintech (e.g., hires at Yoco, CDP increasing stake in Nexi, Moonfare receiving a BaFin license).
Revolut Secures Full UK Banking License After Long Wait
Fintech firm Revolut has been granted a full U.K. banking license, allowing it to operate as a fully licensed retail and business bank in the U.K. and to offer new products including lending. Revolut began its application in 2021 and had previously received a restricted banking licence in July 2024 from the U.K.’s Prudential Regulation Authority that limited total customer deposits to £50,000. The company, which reached a $75 billion valuation in 2025, said the U.K. is its home market; it reported about 70 million customers, has applied for a U.S. banking licence, and plans to launch in 30 new markets by 2030. Revolut framed the approval as a strategic milestone following a protracted regulatory mobilisation phase.
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