What Inspired Me to Start a Bank?

Starting a bank from scratch is not an endeavor for the faint of heart. It’s a complex and demanding process that requires a deep-seated passion for innovation and a willingness to take on significant risks. But for me, the rewards were well worth it. Building a bank that provides innovative and accessible financial solutions that are tailored to the needs of SMEs is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

As an entrepreneur, I’m always looking for new challenges and opportunities to make a real difference in people’s lives. After selling our previous business, CreditorWatch, in 2017 I was looking for a new challenge that would allow me to build upon my experience and make an even greater impact in the world.

At CreditorWatch, we provided SMEs with access to credit information that was previously only available to large enterprises. We saw the impact that this had on SMEs and their ability to make informed decisions about their business. It was a game-changer that allowed SMEs to level the playing field. We aimed to help Australian businesses and we did.

But there was more work to be done. SMEs faced many other challenges in accessing the cash flow they needed to grow and thrive. That’s where the idea for Avenue Bank came in. My co-founder and I were determined to build a bank that would deliver great banking experiences for SMEs, bring real innovation to the world, and transform the banking industry. Most importantly helping Australian businesses.

In 2018 my co-founder approached me with an idea that completely captured my attention. He felt that bank guarantees were broken – they required a 100% deposit, took too long to obtain, charged high fees, and were paper-based. Most banks didn’t like issuing them, and they were a pain point for many businesses. He believed that we could transform this grudge product and turn it into a game-changing business model that could make life easier for business owners and transform the banking industry.

We were immediately excited by the idea. We saw an opportunity to create a bank that would deliver a seamless and hassle-free banking experience for SMEs and transform the bank guarantee business. We were determined to fix what was broken with bank guarantees.

Starting the bank was not an easy task, especially with the additional challenges we faced. We had to navigate a complex regulatory landscape, build a team of experts, and secure funding. We were hit by the covid pandemic, which added to our difficulties. We also had to deal with the collapses of other banks, which created a sense of instability in the industry. Funding shortages were another obstacle that we had to overcome.

Despite these challenges, our team’s passion and drive never wavered. We were committed to building a bank that would deliver real value to our customers and transform the banking industry. We were determined to provide SMEs with a seamless and hassle-free banking experience that would help them grow and thrive.

At Avenue Bank, we’re using our experience at CreditorWatch to provide SMEs with a banking experience that is tailored to their needs. We’re using a modern tech stack, building purpose-built SME credit decisioning, and hiring knowledgeable staff to make the process as smooth as possible. Our focus is on providing innovative and accessible financial solutions that make a real difference in the lives of our customers by freeing up cash.

Our bank is at its final stages of getting its full license, completing a funding round, and bringing on its first customers. We’re excited about this next stage of growth, and we’re confident that our bank will continue to make a significant impact in the banking industry. We’re looking forward to providing SMEs with a seamless and hassle-free banking experience that delivers real value.

Looking ahead, we see a world where banking is more accessible, more innovative, and more customer centric than ever before. We’re committed to being at the forefront of that change, and we believe that our bank has the potential to be a true game-changer in the industry.

At Avenue Bank, we’re driven by a deep-seated passion for innovation and a desire to make a real difference in people’s lives. We’re committed to providing SMEs with a banking experience that is tailored to their needs, and that delivers real value. We’re excited about the future of banking, and we’re proud to be a part of the industry’s transformation.

Starting a bank from scratch is a complex and demanding process that requires a deep-seated passion for innovation and a willingness to take on significant risks. For us, the rewards were well worth it. We’re building a bank that provides innovative and accessible financial solutions that are tailored to the needs of SMEs, and we’re committed to delivering a banking experience that delivers real value to our customers.