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# Zopa Eyes Northern Europe Acquisition for Expansion
- URL: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/zopa-eyes-northern-europe-bank-buyout-for-expansion/
- Published: 2026-03-27T12:33:06.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T10:08:34.000Z
- Description: SoftBank-backed UK fintech Zopa is scouting acquisitions in Germany or Scandinavia to build a continental foothold. CEO Jaidev Janardana said the company is searching “opportunistically” for targets while keeping its focus on UK growth.
- Author: TGB Editorial Team
- Tags: Fintech, Europe

London-based fintech lender Zopa, backed by SoftBank Group, is exploring acquisitions of local banks or fintech firms in Germany or Scandinavia to establish a presence in Northern Europe. CEO Jaidev Janardana stated the company is searching "opportunistically" for suitable targets while maintaining focus on expanding its UK operations.

Zopa began as a peer-to-peer lending platform over two decades ago and transitioned to a full banking license in 2020\. The company has 1.7 million customers and expanded its loan book by 23% to £3.8 billion in the past year. The company's most recent valuation topped $1 billion following an investment round led by A.P. Moller Holding A/S in late 2024\. Pre-tax profit almost doubled to £65 million in 2025.

#### TARGETING GERMANY, SCANDINAVIA

Janardana told Bloomberg that Zopa is looking at a possible acquisition in Germany or Scandinavia to establish a presence in Northern Europe. 

Janardana emphasized that Zopa's primary focus remains on expanding its UK operations. The CEO noted that the company does not intend to raise additional equity for lending at this time due to its profitability but may issue further regulatory debt instruments such as additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.

#### CAPITAL PLANS

Regarding future capital plans, Janardana stated that an initial public offering remains a "long-term" goal and is not planned for the near future. He also noted that a secondary sale could be considered if shareholders seek liquidity, indicating flexibility in the company's approach to future funding and ownership structures.

#### EXPANSION STRATEGY

The move follows 2025 results in which revenue rose 24% to £377.1 million, deposits grew 17% to £6.4 billion and the cost-to-income ratio was 34.8%.