# Payward, Kraken Parent Company, to Acquire EU-Licensed Saldo Bank

- URL: https://stocks.freetheai.org/news/payward-kraken-parent-company-to-acquire-eu-licensed-saldo-bank-cb0706
- Published: 2026-10-14T14:44:03Z
- Category: mergers; sentiment: neutral; impact: medium
- Written by our AI from expert market sources across the web for FreeTheAI Stocks, built by Vibhek Soni
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Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, has agreed to acquire Saldo Finance, the holding company of digital lender Saldo Bank. The acquisition provides Payward with a specialized banking license issued in Lithuania and expands its overall banking operations across Europe.

The deal adds Saldo Bank's infrastructure to Payward's existing banking services, which include an Electronic Money Institution license in Ireland and a limited-purpose master account at the Federal Reserve. Saldo Bank currently offers retail deposit products in Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, and Germany, alongside consumer and small-to-medium enterprise lending.

The transaction is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals. Following completion, Payward plans to offer European customers interest on deposits, lending products, and banking-as-a-service features including card issuance and payments access.

## Key points

- Payward agreed to acquire Saldo Finance, the holding company of Lithuania-licensed Saldo Bank.
- The deal gives Payward an EU banking license and a passport into the Netherlands market.
- Saldo Bank provides live deposit products in Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, and Germany.
- Payward Banking currently holds an Irish EMI license and has originated over $2 billion in loans.
- The acquisition is expected to close in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

## Questions and answers

### Why is Kraken parent Payward acquiring Saldo Bank?

Payward is acquiring Saldo Bank to obtain an EU banking license and infrastructure, allowing it to offer retail deposits, loans, and banking-as-a-service across European markets.

### When is the Payward acquisition of Saldo Bank expected to close?

The deal is expected to close in 2027, pending required regulatory approvals.

### In which countries does Saldo Bank currently offer deposit products?

Saldo Bank offers retail term deposit products in Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, and Germany.