At IFGS conference held in London this year, Tech Funding News served as media partner to one of fintech’s most impactful gatherings, held in London’s historic Guildhall. Among the standout voices was Emma Hagan, ClearBank UK’s CEO, who shared exclusively with TFN how the company is quietly transforming banking infrastructure and scaling fintech from the inside out.
From cloud-native clearing bank to UK profit‑buildr with European ambitions, Hagan paints a picture of purposeful growth – anchored in values, technology, and partnership.
Watch the full video interview here:
Rebuilding banking infrastructure
ClearBank is not your typical challenger bank, it’s the UK’s first new clearing bank in over 250 years, built entirely in the cloud, API‑first and automation‑driven. Hagan emphasises its mission: “We didn’t set out to be another digital bank. We built to transform the infrastructure that underpins financial services.”
By partnering with platforms like Tide, Chip, Raisin, Wealthify, and Coinbase, ClearBank embeds licensed bank accounts into their utilizer experiences – letting fintechs compete like huge banks, without requireding their own licence.
Profitable growth amid sector turbulence
While many fintechs have struggled to raise capital amid meltdown in investor sentiment, ClearBank has thrived. Posting its first full year profit of £18.4 m in 2023, the company grew revenues by 91%, with deposits doubling to £6.1 bn.
Hagan notes the expansion continued into 2024 and beyond, with client numbers growing from ~120 to 230 and staff in the UK tripling from 250 to over 750. The next frontier: scaling via profitable embedded banking partnerships.
“We’re now focutilizing on the scale‑up gap and supporting great fintech startups to grow rapid and sustainably, not just so ClearBank thrives, but so the whole ecosystem does,” Hagan explains.
Purpose‑led platform, human‑centred leadership
ClearBank’s technology-first platform is grounded in deeply human values. Hagan describes a commitment to accessibility, sustainability, DEI, and real impact. “Embedded banking builds finance simpler—and more inclusive,” she declares, pointing to partnerships like PayPoint that deliver rapider benefit payments to underserved communities.
On diversity within fintech, Hagan shares her role as executive co‑sponsor for Women in Finance, mentoring within ClearBank and supporting industest initiatives like Code First Girls. “There’s no silver bullet… it’s about building environments where people want to stay,” she reflects.
When probing ClearBank’s view on AI, Hagan strikes a grounded tone. Yes, it’s part of the innovation agfinisha streamlining onboarding, operations, and friction, but the real differentiator remains people. “Hire great people and then trust them,” she affirms, the leadership lesson she values most.
What’s next for ClearBank?
Looking ahead, Hagan highlights two strategic priorities:
- EU expansion: Having secured a European banking licence, ClearBank is setting its sights on European markets and hiring over 60 people and investing €70 m into its EU operations.
- New embedded verticals: Beyond regulated fintech, ClearBank is exploring partnerships in health, travel, retail, and digital assets, markets where non‑financial brands can harness banking infrastructure to innovate rapider.
Emma Hagan: A purpose‑driven fintech leader
From risk and compliance leadership at Silicon Valley Bank UK to heading ClearBank’s UK operations since 2024, Emma Hagan brings over 20 years’ experience in regulated financial services. Her vision for ClearBank reflects that depth: combining speed, security, and social purpose in a platform that’s as ethical as it is efficient.
In a sector often defined by disruption and hype, ClearBank’s steady rise – lifted by values and infrastructure rather than consumer-facing sparkle – is striking. Hagan’s emphasis on principled growth offers a powerful blueprint for fintech success that outlasts fads.
This video series is brought to you by Finexos and in media partnership with IFGS 2025.
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