Recognise Bank
Recognise Bank is a UK-regulated digital challenger bank providing bridging loans, commercial mortgages, and personal and business savings products to small and medium-sized enterprises, property developers, and savers, distributed primarily through brokers and a digital platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Recognise Bank does
Recognise Bank is a UK-regulated digital challenger bank focused on small and medium-sized enterprises, founded in 2017 and authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority in 2021. The bank operates from a London headquarters (Worship Street, EC2A) and a secondary office in Milton Keynes, with 51–100 employees, and serves UK SMEs, property developers, property investors, brokers and personal/business savers.
The bank's product set is narrow and specialist. On the lending side it offers short-term bridging loans of up to £10 million (terms up to 24 months) and commercial mortgages from £250,000 to £7.5 million (terms up to 10 years), both secured against UK property and primarily originated through a broker and intermediary channel. On the funding side it takes personal and business deposits through notice, fixed-rate and easy-access accounts (rates up to 4.70% AER and 4.30% AER respectively), all FSCS-protected up to £120,000. Technology is centred on an in-house digital banking platform with online account opening, digital account management and ClearBank as the payment-clearing partner; the bank does not operate a mobile app.
Recognise Bank generates revenue primarily through net interest margin, earning interest on its loan book (which surpassed £500 million by June 2026) and paying interest on its deposit base (which exceeded £600 million by June 2026). Cumulative equity raised exceeds £95 million, anchored by a £25 million December 2022 investment from largest shareholder PV27, alongside a £8.7 million May 2022 warrant-exercise round. Distribution is hybrid: lending is broker-led (with named introductions from Pomegranate, Watts, Aura, Tapton, Portway, Roscap, Mortimer Street and others, plus NACFB membership) while savings are acquired both directly online and through the Insignis Cash platform.
Recognise Bank firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Recognise Bank
- Legal name
- Recognise Bank Limited
- Website
- https://recognisebank.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Recognise Bank is a UK-regulated digital challenger bank providing bridging loans, commercial mortgages, and personal and business savings products to small and medium-sized enterprises, property developers, and savers, distributed primarily through brokers and a digital platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Recognise Bank industry classification
Industry- Product category
- SME Challenger Banking
- NAICS
- Commercial Banking (522110), Commercial Banking (52211), Savings Institutions and Other Depository Credit Intermediation (52218)
- SIC
- National Commercial Banks (6021), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings) (FSABAAAA)
Keywords
Where Recognise Bank is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Recognise Bank business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Lending Interest Income: Recognise Bank generates primary revenue from interest income on its bridging loans and commercial mortgages. The bank offers bridging loans of up to £10 million with terms up to 24 months, and commercial mortgages from £250,000 to £3 million (flexible borrowing up to £7.5 million) with terms up to 10 years. Interest margins on short-term property finance form the core revenue stream.
- Deposit-Taking and Interest Margin: The bank accepts personal and business savings deposits, paying competitive interest rates (up to 4.70% AER for personal savings, up to 4.30% AER for business savings). The spread between the interest earned on loans and the interest paid on deposits constitutes a key revenue stream. Deposits are FSCS protected up to £120,000.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Bridging Loans: Secure funding up to £10 million with tailored loan terms of up to 24 months |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial Mortgages: Flexible borrowing from £250,000 to £3 million with loan terms up to 5 years |
| Subscription | Annual | Personal Savings: Notice and fixed rate accounts with rates up to 4.70% AER |
| Subscription | Annual | Business Savings: Easy access, notice and fixed rate accounts with rates up to 4.30% AER |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Recognise Bank product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Recognise Bank is a UK digital challenger bank providing commercial lending products (bridging loans up to £10 million and commercial mortgages from £250,000 to £7.5 million) and FSCS-protected savings accounts (personal and business notice, fixed rate, and easy access accounts) to small and medium enterprises and individual savers. The bank is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA.
Product overview
Recognise Bank is an SME challenger bank offering a focused portfolio of unregulated lending products and regulated deposit savings accounts. The core lending suite includes Bridging Loans (short-term secured finance up to £10 million with 24-month terms) and Commercial Mortgages (flexible borrowing from £250,000 to £7.5 million with up to 10-year terms). The savings portfolio comprises Personal Savings Accounts (Notice and Fixed Rate options with rates up to 4.70% AER) and Business Savings Accounts (Easy Access, Notice, and Fixed Rate options with rates up to 4.30% AER). All savings products carry FSCS protection up to £120,000. The bank positions itself as relationship-led with digital-powered delivery, targeting SMEs and property investors through broker partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Personal Savings Accounts Regulated deposit savings accounts for individual UK residents offering Notice savings and Fixed Rate savings options, with competitive interest rates up to 4.70% AER, FSCS protection up to £120,000, minimum balance of £1,000, and simple online account management. No fees are charged on these accounts.
- Business Savings Accounts Deposit savings accounts for UK SMEs (fewer than 250 employees and either assets under £37.5m or turnover under £43.5m) offering Easy Access, Notice, and Fixed Rate savings options with rates up to 4.30% AER, no annual fees, and quick account setup. Available to sole traders, partnerships, LLPs, and limited companies.
- Bridging Loans Short-term secured property finance for SMEs, property developers, and investors offering loans up to £10 million with tailored terms of up to 24 months. Used for fast financing needs including property acquisitions, refinancing, and development projects. Non-regulated contracts under FSMA 2000 and FSMA Mortgage Credit Directive Order 2015. Rates are quote-based and determined by loan-to-value and borrower profile.
- Commercial Mortgages Flexible commercial property lending for SMEs and property investors offering borrowing from £250,000 to £3 million (with flexible borrowing up to £7.5 million) with loan terms up to 10 years. Designed to help businesses expand through property ownership. Rates are quote-based and determined by loan-to-value and borrower profile.
Quantifiable outcome
- Loan book surpassed £500 million with customer deposits exceeding £600 million as of June 2026
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Recognise Bank
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Recognise Bank technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Recognise Bank partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ClearBankcoreClearBank serves as Recognise Bank's clearing bank, enabling the bank to make and receive electronic payments to and from customer accounts. The ClearBank name may appear on payment references. This is a critical infrastructure partnership for payment processing and clearing services.
- Insignis CashminorInsignis Cash is a platform through which customers can open Recognise Bank deposit savings accounts. Deposits through this platform are FSCS protected up to £120,000, and this channel extends Recognise Bank's reach to additional SME customers.
- Mortimer Street CapitalminorMortimer Street Capital worked with Recognise Bank to complete a £3.995m bridging facility secured against a portfolio of mixed-use property assets in Surrey, introduced by Mortimer Street Capital as a broker/intermediary.
- Pomegranate Commercial FinanceminorPomegranate Commercial Finance introduced a £1.07m bridging loan for the refinance of two care homes in Bristol and Wales. This intermediary relationship supports Recognise Bank's strategy to expand its lending proposition through broker partnerships.
- Watts Commercial FinanceminorWatts Commercial Finance introduced an £801,500 bridging loan for the acquisition of a Victorian property in Liverpool. The deal demonstrates Recognise Bank's strategy to support brokers and property professionals.
- Commercial Finance BrokersminorCommercial Finance Brokers introduced a £1.5 million bridging loan for an experienced developer's acquisition of a commercial investment property in Canterbury, Kent.
- Aura CapitalminorAura Capital introduced a £401,000 commercial bridging loan to refinance a multi-let office property in Dundee city centre, structured through a newly formed special purpose vehicle.
- Tapton CapitalminorTapton Capital introduced a £4.14m bridging loan to refinance a residential property portfolio of three properties in Twickenham and Surrey, reflecting Recognise Bank's focus on short-term property finance solutions through broker partnerships.
- Portway Finance (James Williams)minorJames Williams of Portway Finance introduced a £1.96 million nine-month bridging loan to refinance and support the conversion of a former office building into 52 self-contained student studios in Aberdeen city centre.
- RoscapminorRoscap, a specialist debt and equity advisory firm, introduced a £2.665m bridging loan for a regional property developer in Manchester. Roscap played an instrumental role in supporting Recognise Bank with finalising the facility structure and presented the case clearly throughout the transaction.
- NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers)minorRecognise Bank is a member of the NACFB and participated in the NACFB Commercial Finance Expo where the bank launched its new brand positioning as 'The Decisive Bank'. NACFB membership provides access to the broker community.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Recognise Bank competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hodge Bank: UK specialist bank offering savings, commercial mortgages, and later-life lending. Comparable to Recognise Bank as a UK specialist savings and commercial property lender, with a similar relationship-led model.
- Shawbrook Bank: UK challenger bank focused on SME lending, commercial mortgages, and savings. Closely comparable to Recognise Bank in product mix (bridging, commercial mortgages, business and personal savings) and target customer (UK SMEs and property professionals).
- Aldermore Bank: UK challenger bank serving SMEs, property professionals, and savers with bridging, commercial mortgages, and savings products. Direct competitor to Recognise Bank in the SME property lending and savings space.
- Allica Bank: UK SME-focused challenger bank offering commercial mortgages, asset finance, business current accounts, and savings. Direct peer to Recognise in targeting UK SMEs underserved by high-street banks, including property professionals.
- Cynergy Bank: UK challenger bank specialising in property finance, commercial mortgages, and SME lending. Directly comparable to Recognise Bank given the shared focus on property-secured SME lending and similar broker-led distribution model.
- OakNorth Bank: UK challenger bank focused on SME and property lending, including bridging and commercial mortgages. Comparable to Recognise Bank in product mix and target segment, though typically serving larger SME borrowers.
- Atom Bank: UK digital-only challenger bank offering business and savings products including commercial mortgages. Comparable to Recognise Bank as a digitally-delivered UK challenger with SME and savings offerings, though broader in product range.
Broad incumbents
- Metro Bank: UK challenger bank offering a full suite of retail, business, and commercial property banking services. Comparable to Recognise Bank as a UK-regulated challenger, but operates at much greater scale and with a branch-based model.
- Starling Bank: UK digital challenger bank with business current accounts, business savings, and SME lending. Comparable to Recognise Bank in digital-only UK challenger positioning and savings franchise, though broader in product range.
Emerging players
- Tide: UK SME-focused digital business banking platform. Comparable to Recognise Bank in targeting UK SMEs underserved by incumbents, with a digital-first onboarding model. Partial overlap given Tide's focus on business current accounts rather than property lending.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Recognise Bank social profiles
Digital presenceRecognise Bank compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Recognise Bank financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Recognise Bank leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Recognise Bank funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Recognise Bank M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Recognise Bank
What does Recognise Bank do?
Recognise Bank is a UK digital challenger bank providing commercial lending products (bridging loans up to £10 million and commercial mortgages from £250,000 to £7.5 million) and FSCS-protected savings accounts (personal and business notice, fixed rate, and easy access accounts) to small and medium enterprises and individual savers. The bank is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA.
Is Recognise Bank a public or private company?
Recognise Bank is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Recognise Bank founded?
Recognise Bank was founded in 2017. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Recognise Bank based?
Recognise Bank is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Recognise Bank make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Lending Interest Income is the primary driver. The others are deposit-Taking and Interest Margin.
Who are Recognise Bank's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hodge Bank, Shawbrook Bank, Aldermore Bank, Allica Bank, Cynergy Bank, OakNorth Bank and Atom Bank. Broad incumbents are Metro Bank and Starling Bank. Tide is listed as an emerging player.
Does Recognise Bank have an API?
No public API is recorded for Recognise Bank.
What industry is Recognise Bank in?
Recognise Bank's product category is SME Challenger Banking. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABAAAA, Mass-Market Consumer Deposit Banking (Checking/Savings). Its NAICS code is 522110 and its SIC code is 6021.