#Luxembourg #Bertelsmann #Riverty

Riverty's Strategic Bank Establishment in Luxembourg

On May 27, 2026, Riverty, the fintech subsidiary of the Bertelsmann Group, announced a significant development by obtaining a banking license in Luxembourg, aimed at empowering merchants with innovative financial services. This marks the company's transition from a PSD2 payment institution to a fully licensed bank, which reflects its ambition to reshape the European payments landscape.

A Transformative Phase for Riverty

The decision to establish a bank is strategically pivotal for Riverty, coinciding with a crucial shift in Europe's payment market. As the boundaries between commerce, payments, and financial services blur, there is a growing demand for reliable and efficient financial infrastructures that cater to businesses across multiple markets. Riverty's new banking license allows it to address this need effectively, providing essential embedded services that integrate payment, credit, and liquidity options for merchants.

Carsten Coesfeld, a member of the Bertelsmann Executive Board, emphasized the importance of this regulatory approval, stating that it is a major milestone for both Riverty and Bertelsmann. The swift acquisition of the banking license, within a ten-month application process, underscores Riverty's strong market position as a leading European fintech. With this license, Riverty is poised to expand its consumer finance business with groundbreaking products, enhancing its service offerings in the process.

Serving a Broad Merchant Base

Riverty plans to begin its banking operations in July 2026, with ambitions to serve over 1,800 merchants and approximately 25 million unique customers across ten European markets. The company already processes around 235 million transactions each year, showcasing its established presence in the market. Andreas Barth, the CEO of Riverty, highlighted the importance of integrating seamless payments and financial services into the customer journey. He noted that this integration is essential for merchants to foster customer loyalty and enhance lifetime value.

Focused on Merchant Growth

With the banking license, Riverty aims to construct a comprehensive financial ecosystem for merchants, further developing its embedded finance capabilities. Oliver Kuhaupt, the Chief Risk Officer at Riverty and the soon-to-be-CEO of the new bank, stated that the license allows the company to take significant responsibility for risk management and execution at scale. Emphasizing the focus on maintaining strong merchant relationships, Kuhaupt mentioned that Riverty’s approach is designed to improve both conversion rates and cash flow for its clients, ensuring that they retain control over their customer interactions.

Looking Towards the Future

Riverty's future plans involve expanding its range of embedded financial services, allowing it to partner more effectively with merchants and consumers. The company leverages over 60 years of financial industry experience to provide effective payment, collection, and factoring solutions. With more than 4,000 employees, Riverty strives to be a driving force in the fintech sector within Europe, and the establishment of its bank is a significant step towards achieving this goal.

In conclusion, Riverty's banking initiative in Luxembourg is set to create a ripple effect across the European fintech landscape, catalyzing growth for merchants and establishing itself as an integrated solution provider within the region. As consumers increasingly demand seamless financial experiences, Riverty's innovative approach places it at the forefront of the evolving payment landscape.