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Notes from the desk · Since 2007

Notes on UK Payment
Institution M&A.

Insight, not content. We publish when there is something worth saying about the UK regulated payments transaction market — regulation, valuation, deal craft, process. Written by Rodolfo and the desk.

Read the latest Talk to Rodolfo · 10 min
Fintech 9 min read

Buying or Selling a Payment Institution in UK: The Complete Guide for 2026

When you're ready to buy or sell a payment institution in the UK, you're making one of the biggest decisions in fintech. Whether you're looking at a Small

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 7 min read

UK Payments Manifesto 2026: What Payment Businesses Need to Know

Published: January 22, 2026

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 7 min read

UK Excludes Financial Services From EU Alignment Talks: What It Means for Your Payment Business

Last updated: 17 January 2026

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 7 min read

Cross-Border Payments Trends for 2026: What Small Payment Firms Need to Know

The cross-border payments landscape is shifting faster than most people realise. If you run a small payment institution (SPI), authorised payment institution

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Why Your EMI Could Lose Its Banking Partner Tomorrow (And How to Protect Your Business)

Your EMI's banking relationship might be more fragile than you think, and the FCA's latest findings reveal just how exposed small payment firms really are.

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Visa’s Open Banking Push: Why Your Cross-Border Payment Strategy Just Changed

Your customers are about to bypass your cards entirely, and the biggest payment network in the world is leading the charge.

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Why Your SPI Application Just Got 40% Harder to Get Approved

The FCA approval rate for Small Payment Institution licences has dropped from 85% to 70% in two years, and if you're planning to apply, you need to know

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 7 min read

FCA Cracks Down on Dormant Small Payment Institutions: What UK Money Service Businesses Need to Know

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has stepped up its scrutiny of Small Payment Institutions (SPIs), revoking several registrations in 2025 for inactivity

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 3 min read

PSD2, PSD3, and the FX Business: What’s Changing and Why It Matters

The European Union's Payment Services Directive (PSD) has been a cornerstone of financial regulation, shaping the payments landscape across Europe. With PSD2

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Fintech and Banks: Can Collaboration Outweigh Competition?

Imagine a world where your bank not only understands your financial needs but also anticipates them, offering seamless digital solutions at your fingertips.

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Keeping Customers Close: Proven Strategies for Fintech Firms to Thrive in a Crowded Market

Discover proven strategies fintechs use to stand out, retain customers, and grow in today’s highly competitive financial landscape.

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

The Role of APIs in Enhancing Fintech Services: Why They’re the Secret Sauce of Modern Finance

You probably don’t think about APIs when transferring money, checking your banking app, or making an online payment. But APIs (Application Programming

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Valuing UK Fintech Startups: A Guide for MSB Owners

As a Money Service Business owner in the UK's dynamic fintech landscape, understanding how to properly value early-stage fintech companies is crucial for

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Blockchain in Fintech: Beyond Cryptocurrencies

Key takeaways:

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 4 min read

Top 5 Regtech Solutions Revolutionizing Compliance in 2024

Key takeaways:

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 10 min read

Mastering Compliance in Finance Businesses to Stay Ahead

Navigating the regulatory landscape can be daunting. Especially with constant changes in regulations, staying compliant is a challenging task. I've put

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Fintech 1 min read

3 tips to maximize your Money Service Business value

Have you ever considered exiting your Money Service Business on a high note? Perhaps a lucrative sale opportunity is on the horizon.

By Rodolfo Basilio Read
Newsletter

One short note when there is something worth saying.

A monthly desk note for principals working in UK regulated payments. Short, specific, occasionally annotated with a chart. No marketing, no listicles, no daily roundup. Unsubscribe in one click.

About Rodolfo

Inside the UK fintech regime, since 2007.

Rodolfo Basilio has been in the UK fintech business since 2007, operating inside the same regulatory regime he now advises on. He founded Angra in 2010 and exited in 2022. He co-founded Remitec in 2018 and exited in 2022. Vertice Fintech is where that operator experience is now put to work for a small number of vendors and acquirers each year.

"The best transactions look boring on the outside. That is the point."

Rodolfo Basilio · Founder, Vertice Fintech
Founded
Vertice, 2007 · London
Prior
Angra · Remitec
Remit
SPI · API · EMI
Based
London · FCA regime
Deal-specific questions

Anything not covered here, write to Rodolfo.

The blog is for general writing. For a question about a specific firm, mandate, or transaction, the right place is a ten-minute call. Discreet, no obligation.

By phone
+44 (0) 20 7123 4567
By email
rodolfo@verticefintech.com
Registered office
London · United Kingdom
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