LFP254 – Changing the game – the new era in banking with ClearBank. A conversation with Charles McManus, CEO.

London Fintech Podcast

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-thOpJvMmF8

Which bank was the first UK clearing bank in 250 years, grew income 91%, last year despite the fintech downturn, doubled its deposits and provides banking services to 250 companies, including 16 other banks?

In this episode of the London FinTech podcast, Tony Clark is joined by Charles McManus, Founding CEO of ClearBank.

Charles is an international banking professional with over 30 years in global investment banking, wealth management and retail. Before ClearBank, he was the group CFO of RBS Ulster Bank and spent 13 years at the Royal Bank of Canada, where he became CFO for Europe and Asia and Global Head of Product Control.

This conversation explores ClearBank’s pioneering role in embedded banking and its remarkable growth and success. Charles offers deep insights into the firm’s journey, its innovative solutions, and its leadership in the fintech sector.

Topics include the future of embedded banking, ClearBank’s successful navigation of regulatory challenges, and the expansion into Europe post-Brexit. Additionally, Charles shares his personal experiences, stress management strategies, and advice for fintech entrepreneurs.

Topics covered include:

• ClearBank’s remarkable journey to-date
• Charles’ background & career Journey
• Setting up ClearBank in Europe post-Brexit
• Learning to ride a horse at 50..
• The Fintech revolution and the Embedded Banking sector
• ClearBank’s business model
• Banking for banks
• Stablecoin and tokenised deposits
• ClearBank’s competitive landscape and differentiators
• Tech company vs bank
• Hiring an amazing team & psychometric testing
• Agile working
• AI in the Embedded Banking sector
• Future plans for ClearBank
• Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, including those thinking of swapping the corporate world for the fintech world

Learn more:

Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-mcmanus-/

ClearBank: https://clear.bank

Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

NextWave: https://www.nxwave.com