Summary
Revolut's French entity, Revolut Bank SA, has received a full banking license jointly approved by France's Autorité de Contrôle Prudentiel et de Résolution (ACPR) and the European Central Bank, with the ECB Governing Council formalizing the decision. France becomes Revolut's second full EU banking hub, following Lithuania. The French license is the foundation for a dual-hub model that will let Revolut gradually expand into Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Key Facts
- Revolut Bank SA received full banking license jointly approved by ACPR and ECB
- ECB Governing Council formalized the decision
- France is Revolut's second full EU banking hub (after Lithuania)
- Dual-hub model enables expansion into Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain
- Lithuanian entity continues managing other EEA markets
- French license enables lending and regulated savings accounts for retail and business customers
- Revolut committed more than €1 billion to Western Europe expansion over past year
- Added nearly 8 million new customers in Western Europe over past year; ~30 million total in region
- Western Europe now Revolut's largest and fastest-growing market
- Plans to open Western European HQ in Paris by early 2027
- Follows full UK banking license secured in March 2026
Why It Matters
Revolut's French banking license is a historic milestone in the company's evolution toward becoming one of Europe's largest banks. The dual-hub strategy — with France serving Western Europe and Lithuania covering other EEA markets — provides a more efficient regulatory and operational footprint for the pan-European fintech. The license enables Revolut to offer banking products requiring full authorization, including lending and regulated savings accounts, expanding beyond its payments-focused services. Western Europe is now Revolut's largest and fastest-growing market, with ~30 million customers, making the French hub strategically critical. The approval, coming months after the full UK banking license, underscores Revolut's regulatory winning streak and its ambition to compete with traditional European banks at scale.