LUXEMBOURG (23 July 2024) — Tech-first businesses, Banking Circle and fundcraft, are working in partnership to deliver seamless access to account openings for fund managers. Banking Circle, a game-changer in the payments space, is one of fundcraft’s primary bank account providers, making accounts accessible through fundcraft via API integration.
The partnership means fund managers will be connected as closely as possible to national clearing schemes, enabling faster account opening and delivering low operating costs and fees. It also means fundcraft can add this facility to its platform without the need to obtain its own banking licence.
Launched in 2021 and having recently secured €5 Million Series A funding, fundcraft is transforming the operating model of fund management, providing digital-native fund operations that centralise, optimise, and automate the entire fund lifecycle.
As fundcraft’s Founder & CEO Julien De Mayer explained, fund administration is a large, growing market: “fundcraft’s digital-native operations streamline processes, automate data management, and enhance stakeholder interactions. This not only lowers costs but significantly improves outcomes for our customers, setting a new standard in fund management.”
“Banking Circle’s reputation as a technology-led payments bank that is breaking down barriers to cross-border payments make it a perfect fit for fundcraft clients,” continued De Mayer. “And its accounts, accessible through fundcraft via API integration, are quick to open.”
Laust Bertelsen, CEO of Banking Circle, added: “Banking Circle’s innovative solutions are designed to eliminate costs and delays in account setups and payment processing. Investment Managers can easily manage their accounts, and create and approve payments through Banking Circle, making us an ideal partner for fundcraft. We are like-minded, tech-first businesses that are applying technology to reduce cost and improve the speed of financial transactions.”
fundcraft has a clear goal to overcome some of the barriers funds face opening accounts with traditional banks as well as to add treasury management and payments features into its digital platform. Supporting this goal, it has launched a partnership programme and API integration with a number of banks, including Banking Circle as one of its primary bank account providers.
Banking Circle enables Fund Managers to open Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and Corporate accounts on behalf of their clients. As an EU authorised credit institution headquartered in Luxembourg, Banking Circle offers AIFs, General Partners and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) fast account openings for fund deposits in multi jurisdictions, in 24 currencies at competitive FX rates. And with AAA rated counterparty risk on balances held in Banking Circle’s Fiduciary account, it gives fundcraft an important added value for its clients.
fundcraft has gained significant traction since its inception in 2021. fundcraft boasts more than 22 asset management clients, including Moonfare, Stableton and Tenity, managing more than 135 funds on their behalf, representing more than EUR6bn in commitment. The Series A funding round announced in May will be used to expand fundcraft’s product and market reach.
About Banking Circle
Banking Circle S.A. is the Payments Bank for the new economy. As a fully licenced bank, free of legacy systems, Banking Circle enables payments companies and banks of any scale to seize opportunities in the new economy – quickly, at low cost.
Banking Circle S.A. is a modern correspondent bank committed to building a local clearing network for all major currencies, to deliver fast, low-cost payments with no hidden fees for the beneficiary. It provides a suite of unique and award-winning banking solutions, including multi-currency banking accounts and Virtual IBANs, bank connections for local clearing and cross-border payments, all underpinned by market leading compliance and security.
Through bespoke, flexible, scalable and futureproof solutions Banking Circle S.A. is enabling financial institutions to help their customers transact across borders in a way that was previously not possible.
Headquartered in Luxembourg, Banking Circle S.A. has offices in London, Munich and Copenhagen.
About fundcraft
fundcraft is revolutionising the alternative investment fund industry by delivering end-to-end digital-native fund operations that enhance transparency, efficiency, and compliance for asset managers. With its cutting-edge product offering, fundcraft provides a holistic solution for regulatory requirements, reporting, portfolio management, risk assessment, and investor engagement, embodying a comprehensive digital transformation in asset management. A single platform that centralises and connects the entire fund back office, automating end-to-end operations and optimising the full investment lifecycle for all stakeholders. One platform, one source of truth. If you’re inspired by innovation and wish to contribute to transforming the fund management landscape, explore fundcraft’s career opportunities.