Observed Signal · May 27, 2026 · Regulation · Source: Manager Magazin · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
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.
A major media group building a licensed bank for BNPL expands competition in merchant financing and payments; relevant to commerce and retail finance but not directly industry‑shifting for core AdTech/MarTech platforms.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Riverty received a banking license in Luxembourg.
- Bertelsmann will provide a three‑digit million euro equity commitment and further investments to build the bank.
- Riverty operates Buy‑Now‑Pay‑Later services and works with merchants including Asos and Lego; it reports about 40 million customers.
- Carsten Coesfeld (Bertelsmann board member responsible for Riverty) and Andreas Barth (Riverty CEO) publicly commented on the expansion.
- Arvato (Bertelsmann’s services arm) reported revenue growth; Riverty’s revenue and results 'grew again in 2025.'
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Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
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.
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 seeks Swiss banking license
Revolut has applied for a banking license in Switzerland with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA. The license would enable a standalone Swiss bank and a broader local offering, including Swiss IBANs, salary accounts, eBill payments, and merchant services. The company, which has over 1.3 million customers in Switzerland, plans to invest over CHF 150 million in the market over five years. This license would complement existing licenses in Lithuania and France. A recent data breach, where attackers used a legitimate authority domain to request customer data, has also affected some users, including crypto industry figures. The company states its systems and funds are not affected. The FINMA decision is still pending.
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