What does it really take to build a bank from the ground up? In this episode of The HiveMind Podcast, I sit down with Steve Britain, co-founder of Monument Bank and CEO of Monument Technology, to discuss scaling fintech, regulatory hurdles, and the future of banking technology.

From securing a banking license to navigating fundraising and launching a new tech company, Steve shares invaluable lessons on resilience, product-market fit, and the hidden challenges of selling into financial institutions. If you’re a fintech founder, investor, or banking innovator, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss!

⏳ Time Chapters

00:00 Intro – Welcome to The HiveMind Podcast!

01:40 The Monument Bank Journey: How It All Started

02:42 Scaling Monument: £1B to £5B in Assets Under Management

03:19 The Banking License Process: What Founders Need to Know

05:20 Fundraising & Regulatory Challenges: The Hidden Risks

07:36 Surviving in Fintech: Why Endurance Matters More Than Innovation

09:35 The Role of COVID in Remote Banking & Technology Development

12:58 Attestation & Regulatory Burdens for New Banks

14:33 How Vendors Sell to New Banks: The Reality of Long Sales Cycles

16:33 Fintech Innovation: Has Regulation Slowed It Down?

19:37 How Interest Rate Changes Impact New Banks & Their Growth

22:06 Why Some Neobanks Fail While Others Thrive

24:39 The Birth of Monument Technology: A New Opportunity

26:00 Legacy Banking vs. Modern Cloud Solutions: The Market Gap

30:47 The Realities of Selling Tech to Banks: What Founders Need to Know

33:03 Steve’s Advice to Founders: How to Succeed in Fintech

34:57 Outro & Final Thoughts