Starling Bank’s SaaS division, Engine, has appointed industry expert Jody Bhagat to spearhead its growth in North America.
Before joining Engine, Bhagat served as president of global banking at Personetics Technologies, a cognitive banking fintech. His extensive experience also includes being a partner at McKinsey and holding senior digital roles at US Bank, Citizens Bank, and Wells Fargo.
In his new role, Bhagat will assemble a team to drive expansion into North America, targeting more than 4,000 mid-tier banks and credit unions within the region. Starling is committed to investing over $50 million to enhance its North American presence, with a regional headquarters set to open in New York. This location will be staffed by a blend of local hires and secondees from the UK’s product specialist team, alongside a dedicated group based in Toronto.
Bhagat remarked, “The North American market is fiercely competitive, with many banks and credit unions burdened by outdated technology. Financial institutions focused on digital transformation are in search of partners that can provide innovative solutions leading to tangible business outcomes. Engine by Starling has already shown success in Europe and Australia, offering proven capabilities for banks to enhance customer acquisition and service.”
Engine’s inaugural client, Salt Bank, made headlines as Romania’s first digital-native bank in 2024, quickly capturing 4% of the local banking market. Additionally, AMP in Australia successfully launched its new digital bank, AMP Bank GO, using Engine’s core banking platform, both initiatives being realized within a year.
This North American expansion follows the recent establishment of regional offices in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, with locations in Dubai and Sydney.