UK-based digital lender Starling has unveiled plans to expand its banking-as-a-service (BaaS) offering into Europe.

The digital lender plans to launch its BaaS solution Starling as a Service in the EU including in France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain in the first half of 2022.

The company stated that Starling as a Service will allow its clients to build their own financial offerings such as savings/current accounts, integrated digital wallets, kids’ cards, and debit cards.

The BaaS solution allows the lender to take care of the regulatory requirements and enables non-financial entities to offer embedded banking services.

Starling launched its BaaS solution in the UK in 2018 and counts Raisin, CurrencyCloud, Moneybox and Vitesse among its customers.

Starling CEO Anne Boden said: “The thriving technology and fintech scene in European markets makes them a great fit for the culture of innovation at Starling, and therefore a natural space for us to offer and develop our solutions in Europe.

“We have seen a consistent and growing demand for digital financial services, further accelerated by extended lockdowns and a shift in consumer behaviours in key European markets, and it is clear that Starling can power new and exciting opportunities for businesses across Europe.”

Notably, the European BaaS industry has gained a lot of momentum recently.

Earlier this week, French BaaS platform Swan raised €16m for European expansion.

Last week, banking technology provider Temenos joined forces with Vodeno and Aion Bank to accelerate BaaS deployment in Europe.