Ebury Secures Major Funding from Santander

London-based fintech Ebury, specializing in international business services, has announced a substantial funding round of £350 million. The investment is led by Spanish banking group Santander, which will acquire a 50.1% majority stake in Ebury. Although Santander will be the majority shareholder, Ebury will maintain its operational independence.

The newly secured capital is designated to accelerate Ebury's growth, with a specific focus on expanding its customer base in Latin America and Asia. This funding will also enable Ebury to integrate more advanced financial services into Santander's existing portfolio, enhancing offerings for both existing and new clients.

Santander aims to leverage Ebury's technology to better serve its four million SME customers globally, particularly those involved in international business. Ebury currently operates in 19 countries, supporting 140 currencies and processing billions in payments annually. This partnership is expected to strengthen Santander's competitive position against challenger banks and fintech firms.

The deal also includes a £70 million primary equity investment to support Ebury's market entry plans. Ebury's co-founders and existing investors are also participating in the transaction. Ebury's recent acquisition of payroll specialist Frontierpay signals its ambition for broader service offerings.

This strategic move by Santander highlights the growing importance of supporting SMEs in global trade. According to Ana Botín, Group Executive Chairman of Banco Santander, SMEs are crucial economic engines, and the partnership with Ebury will provide them with faster, more efficient financial products traditionally available only to larger corporations.