Fintech Finance Podcasts: The FF Salon Pilot with Miroslava Betinova

If Griffin was a haircut, it would be a mullet from the 80s. 

 

Why? Because it’s something that everyone notices and no-one forgets. It’s also having a massive resurgence…

 

In this episode of the FF Salon Series, Miroslava Betinova outlines the future plans for Griffin, an API lead bank for Fintech and regulated entities in the UK that’s currently going through the bank authorisation process with PRA and FCA.

 

‘It’s going well, it’s a super tough process, been going on for about 3 years now. It’s incredible what a team of about 40 people managed to achieve in that space of time, lots of dedication, lots of knowledge, we’re getting there and we’re hoping by the second half of next year we’ll be able to enter the UK market as a full licensed bank’. 

 

According to Miroslava, the process is a long and complex procedure that requires a lot of feedback and patience. And with regulators fighting back against crypto, Griffin must make sure to do their homework. Decentralised finance can create innovative ways of delivering and broadening access to financial products and services, but this creates challenges for regulators who recognise the potential benefits. ‘It’s an ongoing university of financial services’.  

 

And is it stressful or exciting? A bit of both as anyone could imagine, but if it’s done for the right reasons it’s worth it. If it looks as if a new bank has a good chance of success, that's when the complicated part begins. 

 

So how do they cope at Griffin when the pressure mounts? Miroslava gives us an insight into the importance of working with friends, how to reward progress, and how emojis are now an essential part of communication.