On the Up: Bendigo and Adelaide Bank targets digital growth with fintech acquisition

In a move designed to expand its digital banking capabilities, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is set to acquire Melbourne-based fintech Feroicia in a deal worth up to $116 million.
Announced yesterday, the acquisition of Feroicia will also bring digital bank Up fully into the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank fold.
Launched in 2018 as a partnership between Ferocia and Bendigo, Up has proved to be a hit with Australians looking for an app-based, technology-led banking option, with the neobank amassing over 400,000 customers in under three years.
As part of the announcement Bendigo and Adelaide Bank stated its intention to help ‘grow and advance’ the Up platform, with Up set to continue to operate as a separate brand.
Up currently offers a digital bank account and savings account through its smartphone app and it has recently launched its own spin on joint accounts.
It has also indicated (through its publicly available roadmap) that Up home loans are likely to be rolled out at some point in the future. A move into the lending space is perhaps a logical step for the bank, as Up has indicated that more than 30% of its active customers are currently saving up for a home deposit.
According to managing director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Marnie Baker, the acquisition of Feroicia and Up will also help ‘strengthen’ Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s own digital and online banking operations.
“Up’s customer engagement is unparalleled when compared to global peers, it’s welcomed more than 400,000 customers and $840 million in deposits in less than three years, it’s empowered a new generation of savers and it will secure our market leading position with this emerging, influential demographic.”
“As we further accelerate Up’s rapid pace of innovation and growth and further expand revenue opportunities through Up, customers of our other brands will benefit from Ferocia’s digital innovation and experience.”
In addition to building a user base in the hundreds of thousands of customers, Up has also received plenty of industry accolades in its short existence.
In 2020, Up took out the major title of Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards, while it’s bank account, savings account and mobile app have also received the following individual awards:
- Up Everyday Account: 2019, 2020 and 2021 Mozo Experts Choice Award for Exceptional Everyday Account
- Up Saver Account: 2019, 2020 and 2021 Mozo Experts Choice Award for Best Regular Saver
- Up Banking App: 2020 and 2021 Mozo Experts Choice Award for Excellent Banking App
RELATED: What can we expect as non-major banks join the open banking party from July 1?
For even more news and the latest guides on all things digital banking, check out our dedicated neobank and fintech hubs, or if you’re looking to update your own bank account then check out some of the great options in the table below.
Compare bank accounts - rates updated daily
Choice
account fee
Payment Options
interest rate
$5.00$0 monthly account fee if you deposit min. $2,000 per month or are aged under 30.Apple, Pay, Google, Pay, Samsung, Pay, Fitbit, Pay, Garmin, Pay, Digital, Card0% p.a.$5 account fee waived when you deposit $2,000 each month (conditions apply). No account fee for customers under 30. Cardless cash feature. Apple, Google, Samsung Pay, Garmin, Fitbit and digital card pay. Partner discounts offered through Westpac App.
Choice
$5 account fee waived when you deposit $2,000 each month (conditions apply). No account fee for customers under 30. Cardless cash feature. Apple, Google, Samsung Pay, Garmin, Fitbit and digital card pay. Partner discounts offered through Westpac App.
- ATM networks
- Westpac, St.George, BankSA, Bank of Melbourne
- What kind of card?
- Debit Mastercard
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from internet, phone, network ATMs, EFTPOS, BPAY, branch deposits and withdrawals, and cheque.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Choice
Everyday Options
account fee
Payment Options
interest rate
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID0.01% p.a.An easy, everyday banking account packed with flexible options to help you spend, budget & save better. $0 monthly account keeping fees & option to add up 9 sub-accounts.
Everyday Options
An easy, everyday banking account packed with flexible options to help you spend, budget & save better. $0 monthly account keeping fees & option to add up 9 sub-accounts.
- ATM networks
- Suncorp
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
Balances from $1: 0.01% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from own-bank ATM, atmx ATM, Big 4 banks ATM, EFTPOS, counter withdrawals, counter deposits, phone and internet
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Everyday Options
Glide Account
account fee
Payment Options
interest rate
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung Pay, FitBit Pay, Garmin0% p.a.Unlimited free internet transactions. Super fast transfers & use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. No account keeping fees. Access Any Major Bank & MyState Bank ATM Fee-Free.
Glide Account
Unlimited free internet transactions. Super fast transfers & use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. No account keeping fees. Access Any Major Bank & MyState Bank ATM Fee-Free.
- ATM networks
- MyState
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free internet transactions.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Glide Account
Transaction Account
account fee
Payment Options
interest rate
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID2.25% p.a.Earn 1.75% p.a. interest on all balances. No monthly account fees. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Bank 2022^.
Transaction Account
Earn 1.75% p.a. interest on all balances. No monthly account fees. Winner of a Mozo Experts Choice Australia's Best Bank 2022^.
- ATM networks
- rediATM (other ATM network fees refunded)
- What kind of card?
- Debit Mastercard
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 2.25% p.a.
Balances from $250,000: 1.85% p.a.
Balances from $1,000,000: 1.15% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from any Australian ATMs, EFTPOS, phone, internet, BPAY and direct debits
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Transaction Account
Classic Banking Account
with Standard Visa Debit Card
account fee
Payment Options
interest rate
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayID, Samsung Pay0.01% p.a.No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.
Classic Banking Account
No monthly account fees ever, with no conditions. Free use at over 7,000 ATMs around Australia. No overdrawn fees if you happen to go over your account balance. Open an account in less than 7 minutes.
- ATM networks
- NAB
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit or
EFTPOS
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.01% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- Unlimited free transactions from own-bank ATM, EFTPOS, counter withdrawals, counter deposits, phone, internet and Visa debit purchases
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Classic Banking Account
Go Account
account fee
Payment Options
interest rate
$0.00Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay0% p.a.Welcome bonus of 5000 Virgin Money Points (ends 31/8/22. Offer criteria & T&Cs apply). Plus earn points on every debit card purchase. Bundled with a high interest savings account. $0 monthly fees. Joint accounts available.
Go Account
Welcome bonus of 5000 Virgin Money Points (ends 31/8/22. Offer criteria & T&Cs apply). Plus earn points on every debit card purchase. Bundled with a high interest savings account. $0 monthly fees. Joint accounts available.
- ATM networks
- -
- What kind of card?
- Visa Debit
- Interest rate
- Balances from $0: 0.00% p.a.
- Fee free transactions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Go Account
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