Crédit Coopératif and Orange Bank are officially “seeing each other.” At least on paper. The two have entered exclusive talks about a potential deal that could see Crédit Coopératif snap up the fintech Anytime.

The news came via a press release from Orange on 23 May 2025, confirming that a memorandum of understanding has been signed. Translation: they’re not picking out curtains just yet, but things are getting serious.

Anytime, the fintech that’s carved out a niche helping associations and non-profits handle their finances, might soon be calling Crédit Coopératif home. And it fits. The bank’s big 2030 strategy, titled “100% committed,” is all about going digital and showing some extra love to small and newly launched associations.

Why Anytime?

Founded in 2014 and acquired by Orange Bank in 2020, Anytime has evolved from a general-purpose business account provider to a niche player offering financial tools for associations; including advanced expense management and card fleet systems.

“To achieve its growth ambitions by 2030, Crédit Coopératif aims to strengthen its digital offering, particularly for its small and medium-sized association clients. Anytime offers simple and innovative services that perfectly meet the new needs of this clientele.”

— Pascal Pouyet, CEO of Crédit Coopératif Group

This specialization positions it as a natural fit for Crédit Coopératif, which has a legacy of banking for SSE actors. With 68 business centers across France, a remote banking infrastructure, and an impact investing arm, the bank is looking to amplify its reach in the association segment via digital channels.

A Complementary Match

Crédit Coopératif’s CEO, Pascal Pouyet, emphasized that Anytime’s offerings are “simple and innovative,” making them particularly suitable for SME-style associations. The fintech’s tools are expected to boost the bank’s ambition to capture over 6% market share among newly created associations by 2030.

From Orange Bank’s side, CEO Frédéric Niel stated that after helping Anytime scale, the time is right for it to grow further with a cooperative banking partner whose services “complement” its own.

What’s Next?

The deal is subject to consultation with employee representative bodies from both parties. If all goes according to plan, the acquisition could be finalized by the end of 2025.

Key takeaways for fintech startups:

• Vertical specialization pays off: Anytime’s focus on associations helped it stand out and become acquisition-ready.
  
  
• Strategic exits can come from aligned players: Cooperative banks like Crédit Coopératif may offer fertile ground for partnerships or buyouts, especially in niche markets.
  
  
• Digital distribution models are no longer optional; even traditional banks are prioritizing them to reach underserved segments.
  
  
• Growth isn’t just scale; it’s focus: Anytime’s move from general SMBs to association-specific services highlights how narrow positioning can lead to real traction.

Want to identify your niche, craft your growth strategy, or prepare for acquisition? We help startups grow. Get in touch.

If you’re building a fintech startup, chances are you’ve heard some polite version of “Not sure there’s a market for this” or “Sounds risky.” Most fintech founders hear it at some point. But history is on your side; some of today’s biggest fintech players were told no before they became unmissable.

Here are five fintechs that were doubted, dismissed, or misunderstood; and then went on to reshape the market. Each story offers sharp lessons for founders looking to turn hesitation into momentum.

1. Revolut

When Revolut launched in 2015, it started with a fairly focused mission: make travel money simpler. But within a couple of years, it was handling everything from crypto to stock trading, savings, and insurance. Critics called it unfocused. Regulators raised concerns about compliance. And even within fintech circles, some asked: “Isn’t this five different companies rolled into one?”

“Starting anything new is extremely hard. It’s breaking the walls all the time, so you really need to have character to break the walls and you need to have brains to more efficiently break the walls.”

— Nikolay Storonsky, Co-founder and CEO of Revolut

How they took off: Instead of narrowing down, Revolut leaned in. They executed fast, added features weekly, and built a fiercely loyal user base; particularly among young, mobile-first travellers. As of 2025, with 55+ million users and a new European HQ in Paris, it’s one of the most powerful fintech brands in the world.

What founders can learn: Being “too much” isn’t a problem if you’re the one who can pull it off. Bold vision plus shipping speed is hard to beat.

2. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

When Wise launched in 2011, banks didn’t worry. The founders were building a money transfer tool with almost no margin, openly attacking hidden fees, and promising full price transparency. Investors passed. Users hesitated.

How they took off: Wise’s “we hate bank fees too” brand hit a nerve. They kept it lean, internationalised early, and let product quality do the talking. By 2025, they move ~5% of global cross-border personal transfers; and posted over £240 million in annual profit.

What founders can learn: Disrupting a slow-moving giant works when your values align with real user pain. Trust plus simplicity scales.

3. Klarna

When Klarna launched in Sweden in 2005, the idea of letting people delay payments online – with no interest or fees – felt counterintuitive. Credit cards already did that (with strings attached), and European consumers were generally cautious about debt. Investors were unsure how scalable the model was. Critics questioned whether retailers would buy into it. And unlike most fintechs, Klarna chose not to operate like a traditional lender or bank at the start, which only added to the uncertainty.

“I remember one investor calling me early on, fretting about the end of the world and insisting that I start downsizing. I’m always glad I didn’t take that advice, because COVID ended up being a major acceleration.”

— Sebastian Siemiatkowski, Co-founder and CEO of Klarna

How they took off: Klarna built merchant trust first, then expanded into consumers. It refined the BNPL experience and moved into lifestyle fintech territory. In 2025, it reported $701 million in quarterly revenue and is once again profitable.

What founders can learn: If your model challenges norms, start by making it useful; then make it loved.

4. Monzo

Monzo began in 2015 as a digital-only bank in the UK, back when the term “neobank” wasn’t yet mainstream. It quickly attracted attention with its hot coral debit cards, slick app, and unusually transparent communication style – including live updates on outages and product roadmaps. But behind the excitement, there were structural challenges. For years, Monzo operated at a loss, struggled with monetisation, and faced growing pressure to prove its model could survive beyond the hype, especially during the turbulence of the COVID-19 years.

“The idea that I could launch a startup instead of getting a ‘real’ job seemed totally implausible.”

— Tom Blomfield, Co-founder and first CEO of Monzo

How they took off: Monzo focused on sustainability, introduced lending and paid accounts, and rebuilt investor confidence. In 2024, it posted its first annual profit (£15.4M) and secured £340M in new funding. Monzo isn’t just back; it’s stable.

What founders can learn: Great branding and user love are powerful, but don’t ignore the fundamentals. Profitability gives you real momentum.

5. N26

N26 quickly became one of Europe’s most talked-about neobanks; and also one of the most questioned. Early on, it wowed users with clean design and mobile-first convenience. But when it expanded beyond Germany, especially into the U.S., growth felt shaky. Critics said the product lacked depth, customer support was lagging, and the company was chasing scale too soon.

How they took off: N26 exited the U.S. and doubled down on its European core. That focus paid off: it raised a $900M Series E and remains one of the highest-valued fintechs in Europe. Not every expansion works, but knowing when to cut losses is a strength.

What founders can learn: You don’t have to win everywhere. Growth is about precision, not geography.

Key Takeaways for Fintech Startups

Here’s what today’s breakout fintechs can teach early-stage founders facing doubt, pushback, or early-stage hurdles:

• Doubt isn’t death. It’s often a sign you’re doing something original.
  
  
• Make the product speak. Shipping quality and transparency win trust.
  
  
• Don’t scale pain. Fix your model before expanding into new markets.
  
  
• Profit unlocks independence. Even the best brands need a business case.
  
  
• Focus wins. Especially when the world’s watching.

Want to build a fintech story that stands out, even when no one believes in it yet? We help founders craft strategy, narrative, and GTM plans that turn “No thanks” into traction. Let’s talk.

Monarch has raised $75 million in Series B funding, one of the largest consumer fintech rounds in the U.S. this year so far. The company announced the raise as investor appetite for B2C fintech remains cautious, with much of the sector still in a deep freeze.

The San Francisco-based startup is now valued at $850 million, with the round co-led by Forerunner Ventures and FPV Ventures, and participation from Menlo Ventures, Accel, SignalFire, and Clocktower Ventures. Monarch’s subscriber base surged 20x after Intuit shut down Mint in early 2024, as consumers searched for alternatives.

Co-founder Val Agostino, previously an early product manager at Mint, built Monarch as a subscription-only app to track spending, manage investments, and plan financial goals; without relying on ad revenue or selling user data.

Why Monarch Stands Out

Founded in 2018 by Ozzie Osman, Jon Sutherland, and Val Agostino, Monarch set out to address some of the biggest frustrations with traditional personal finance tools: faster onboarding, cleaner budgeting, and a trust-based business model that puts the user first.

While many fintechs are struggling to grow, Monarch’s user-focused approach helped it absorb a wave of Mint users and maintain high engagement levels. Investor Wesley Chan of FPV Ventures said Monarch reminded him of other successful bets in complex markets; pointing to the app’s simplicity, shareability, and steady user growth.

A Rare Success in a Tough Market

According to PitchBook, U.S. fintech funding dropped 38% in Q1 2025 compared to the previous quarter, with nearly 75% of capital flowing to enterprise startups. Consumer-facing fintechs have faced steep investor skepticism.

“This financing will dramatically accelerate our mission of building the most comprehensive financial wellness platform for consumers.”

— Val Agostino, Co-founder & CEO, Monarch Money

In that context, Monarch’s raise signals that high-quality B2C models can still win over investors; if they solve real problems and retain users. Chan noted that down markets often highlight which founders are building for the long term.

Key takeaways for fintech startups

Here’s what fintech startups can learn from Monarch’s approach and momentum.

• Capture momentum when markets shift: Monarch grew rapidly after Mint’s closure by being in the right place with the right product
  
  
• Trust-based monetization matters: A subscription model aligned incentives with users; and appealed to investors
  
  
• User experience is a differentiator: Clear design and ease-of-use still set winners apart in crowded categories
  
  
• Investors are selective, not absent: Funding is available for standout consumer fintechs, even in a down cycle
  
  

Want to turn market shakeups into growth like Monarch? Contact us. We help fintech startups grow through smart strategy, bold positioning, and crisp execution.