![\"Anna](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Anna-Wallace-300x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: Seven Hills BPI<\/p>\n
The Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has announced new funding commitments from both HM Treasury and NatWest Group, marking a significant milestone in the organisation\u2019s evolution and reinforcing its role at the centre of the UK\u2019s financial innovation ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Building on CFIT\u2019s achievements over the past five years \u2013 and following the culmination of its second and third Coalitions on Corporate Digital Verification and SME Access to Finance in recent weeks \u2013 this backing represents a strong vote of confidence from both the public and private sectors in CFIT\u2019s ability to deliver meaningful, system-wide change. HM Treasury has committed \u00a31 million in funding, whilst NatWest Group has confirmed a strategic partnership with further investment.<\/p>\n
From foundation to maturity<\/p>\n
CFIT was established following the landmark Kalifa Review of UK Fintech in 2021, with an initial \u00a35.5 million of seed funding to support its creation and early operations. Since then, it has developed into an independent and established organisation, focused on tackling the systemic challenges that constrain financial innovation.<\/p>\n
Through its Coalition model, CFIT has brought together industry, government and regulators to move beyond discussion and deliver tangible outputs \u2013 from policy recommendations and technical frameworks to working prototypes that demonstrate real-world application.<\/p>\n
With a strengthened funding base and growing ecosystem of partners following the strategic partnerships reached with Mastercard, HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group in 2025, the agreements will enable CFIT to:<\/p>\n
Launch and deliver new coalitions focused on priority challenges
\nSupport the adoption and scaling of innovative solutions
\nConvene government, regulators and industry to align policy and market delivery
\nExplore exciting opportunities \u2013 including in AI, Smart Data, digitisation of capital markets and financial inclusion<\/p>\n
CFIT chief executive officer, Anna Wallace, said:\u00a0\u201cThese commitments from HM Treasury and NatWest are a powerful endorsement of CFIT\u2019s model and the progress we have made since our establishment. We were created to address the systemic challenges holding back financial innovation \u2013 and to do so in a way that delivers real, tangible outcomes.<\/p>\n
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CFIT chief executive officer, Anna Wallace<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support from both government and industry demonstrates the value of that approach. As we move into this next phase, our focus is on building on that momentum \u2013 working with partners across the ecosystem to develop and implement solutions that support growth and improve outcomes for businesses and consumers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Government backing to support continued delivery<\/p>\n
The new agreement with HM Treasury, announced by Economic secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, at the Innovate Finance Global Summit in London, will provide transitional funding through to March 2027, supporting delivery of CFIT\u2019s core mission: to drive UK economic growth through financial innovation.<\/p>\n
This funding will support the UK\u2019s growth agenda by enabling CFIT to:<\/p>\n
Develop policy, technical and commercial solutions to support adoption
\nDeliver new workstreams aligned to the UK\u2019s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy
\nSupport the transition to a fully self-sustaining funding model<\/p>\n
Economic secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, said:\u00a0\u201cOrganisations like CFIT play a key role in turning ambition into action through practical, industry-led solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis new funding reflects our confidence in CFIT\u2019s model and our commitment to making the UK the best place in the world to start, scale and lead a fintech business. As we open Fintech Week, this is exactly the kind of partnership needed to address challenges, boost growth, and support the UK\u2019s position.\u201d<\/p>\n
NatWest partnership to accelerate innovation and scale impact<\/p>\n
Alongside this, CFIT has entered into a strategic partnership with NatWest Group, supported by its Open Innovation team, to further accelerate innovation across the financial services ecosystem.<\/p>\n
This new partnership aligns CFIT with NatWest\u2019s broader innovation priorities, including:<\/p>\n
![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/David-Grunwald-300x300.jpg\")
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David Grunwald, director of Open Innovation, NatWest Group<\/p>\n
The use of data and advanced analytics to improve customer outcomes
\nExploring the potential of AI and emerging technologies
\nSupporting fintech collaboration and ecosystem development
\nDriving innovation in areas such as financial health, sustainability and embedded finance<\/p>\n
David Grunwald, director of Open Innovation, NatWest Group, said:\u00a0\u201cThe pace of technological and societal change is reshaping how customers interact with financial services, and it is critical that we continue to innovate to meet those evolving needs. CFIT plays a unique role in bringing together industry, government and technology leaders to tackle complex challenges and develop practical solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this partnership, we look forward to supporting work that leverages data, new technologies and collaborative models to unlock better outcomes for customers and businesses across the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n