(01 February 2021 – Australia) NAB is set to acquire 86 400 to accelerate the growth of the group’s digital bank, UBank.
The announcement follows a series of significant Neobank announcements in recent weeks, including Xinja handing back its banking licence and Volt partnering TCS to run its Banking as a Service (BaaS) platform.
NAB already retains an 18 percent shareholding in 86 400 and now proposes to acquire the remaining shares by way of a scheme of arrangement for total consideration of A$220 million. Subject to the timing of approvals, completion is expected to occur by the end of H1 2021.
The 86 400 brand will be absorbed into the NAB group with the move intended to accelerate UBank’s growth by combining its established customer base, brand and colleagues with 86 400’s experience and technology platform.
“While we are still working through some specifics such as the combined business name, our intent is for the look, feel and experience to reflect the best of both businesses. The broker channel is, and will be, the major channel for our business and customers, and we are committed for the long term” stated 86 400 CEO Robert Bell.