Press Releases

Open banking marks major milestone of 10 million users

23 July 2024
10 million open banking users
  • Open Banking Limited (OBL) announced today that there are now 10 million consumers and small businesses regularly benefiting from using open banking technology.
  • The milestone comes days after the Government committed to introducing a Smart Data Bill in the King’s Speech, which will unlock the full potential of open banking and expand smart data schemes into other economic sectors.
  • OBL is holding a Strategy Summit to mark both announcements and discuss the next phase of open banking and how to maintain the accelerated pace of adoption.

There are now 10 million consumers and small businesses who have been empowered to take advantage of the benefits of open banking and manage their financial lives in new and innovative ways.

This significant achievement highlights the positive momentum and growing adoption of open banking technologies as millions of consumers and small businesses benefit from innovative financial management and payment tools.

Competition has been a key driver to growth, and we’ve observed that when one company focuses on open banking technology their direct competitors soon follow. We’ve also seen existing providers expand their offer and use of open banking, as well as the launch of creative new propositions.

OBL was only set up in 2016, with the launch of open banking in January 2018, and it’s been encouraging to see sustained growth in such a short time.

“I’m delighted that we’ve reached 10 million users. Consumer empowerment is core to open banking and it’s fantastic to see more and more people and small businesses take advantage of the financial opportunities open banking provides.

From access to cost-effective credit, building a regular savings habit or making more informed financial decisions, open banking is delivering the means for millions of people to improve their financial wellbeing, delivering a true public good.”

Marion King, OBL Chair and Trustee

This announcement comes just days after the Government committed to introducing smart data powers through a new Digital Information and Smart Data (DISD) Bill. This essential legislation will build on the important work that open banking has successfully delivered, laying the foundations for future growth of the open banking ecosystem, and which will now propel the UK forward towards an innovative, data-driven economy.

The legislation will unlock the full potential of open banking as we transition from the current competition remedy to a long-term regulatory framework. Henk Van Hulle, OBL CEO welcomed the Government’s announcement.

“Open banking has shown what a truly smart data economy can achieve. We look forward to continuing to support the Government, regulators and other industries to ensure open banking goes from strength-to-strength. It also cements the UK’s role as a standard-setter for open banking across the globe, with many countries adopting a similar approach.”

Henk Van Hulle, OBL CEO

To celebrate reaching 10 million users and to discuss the full potential of open banking, OBL is holding a Strategy Summit, kindly hosted by TrueLayer, a leading platform provider.

Bringing together a diverse group of innovators, regulators, policymakers and industry leaders, the well-timed summit will investigate how to navigate the next phase of UK open banking as well as how the industry can continue to drive adoption and innovation.

OBL will continue to promote open banking to increase user adoption, unlocking additional benefits for businesses and consumers through smart data schemes across key economic sectors, supporting further economic growth. 

The Department for Business and Trade estimates the value of open banking and smart data schemes have the potential to increase GDP by £28bn.

The UK’s open banking ecosystem is already worth more than £4 billion to the UK economy, attracting inward investment and creating almost 5000 skilled digital jobs across the country.

Notes to editors:

The recent growth in users has bucked trends from previous years:

  • There has been higher growth in Payment Initiation Service (PIS) users over the past 12 months (61% year on year)
  • However, growth of Account Information Service (AIS) users has also steadily accelerated in recent months (currently 27% year-on-year).
  • We have seen Account Information Service Providers ramping up customer onboarding too, which has been a contributory factor to growth.
  1. Open Banking Ltd (OBL) was set up by the CMA9 in October 2016 as required under the Competition & Markets Authority’s (CMA) Retail Banking Market Investigation Order 2017 to fulfil one of the remedies mandated by the CMA following a market investigation into UK retail banking.
  • The CMA’s investigation into the retail banking market (whose findings were published in August 2016) concluded that older and larger banks do not compete hard enough for customers’ business and that open banking should deliver a new, secure option for customers to be able to compare the deal they are getting from their bank.

OBL’s role is to: 

  • Enforce the obligations on the CMA9 under the CMA Order.
  • Design the specifications for the Application Programme Interfaces (APIs) that banks and building societies use to securely provide open banking.
  • Support regulated third party providers and banks and building societies to use OBL’s Open Banking Standards.
  • Create security and messaging standards.
  • Manage the OBL’s Open Banking Directory which allows regulated participants like banks, building societies and third-party providers to enrol in open banking.
  • Produce guidelines for participants in the open banking ecosystem.
  • Set out the process for managing disputes and complaints.