Professional Documents
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Finance &
Retail
The power of Banking-as-a-Service
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Table of contents
Executive summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Executive summary
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Introduction
In the UK, examples include credit These together have opened the door In just a few years, BaaS has proved
cards and FX options offered by leading to the next generation of context-specific that it can be a significant performance
department stores, interest-free credit and personalised financial services. enhancer for both retailers and technology
offered by major DIY retailers, and the They have also enabled attractive providers. Indeed, on its current trajectory,
fully-fledged banking units of the large revenue opportunities for retailers (4–7% it presents an opportunity that may be too
grocers. So why has demand for banking- incremental growth2), supported by an good to miss. But with a broad product
as-a-service (BaaS) and embedded finance expected higher ‘new normal’ interest shelf to choose from and an increasingly
soared only in the past few years? rate environment.3 fragmented technology provider landscape,
retail leaders must carefully hone in on
The growth of BaaS has been driven by The retail share of the UK BaaS market the right products and providers based
several drivers that have converged at grew at about 13% annually (CAGR) on their customer needs and ambitions.
the right time. Cloud native platforms and over 2018–2023, and in 2022 accounted
open APIs pioneered by fintechs, data- for 57% of UK BaaS market revenues.4
driven personalisation capabilities in sales Over this period, buy-now-pay-later
and marketing, and the turbocharging (BNPL) became table stakes for many
of ecommerce penetration during the retailers – and is projected to account for
pandemic (peaked at ~36% of UK retail about 20% of total UK ecommerce sales
sales in early 20211) have enabled a new by 2030 (up from 10% in 2023)5. Retailers
generation of BaaS products and services. have also launched customised instalment
At the same time, the rising cost of living loans, white-labelled credit cards and even
has fuelled consumer demand for flexible savings propositions, all typically integrated
budgeting and credit options. with loyalty and reward programmes to
meet rising customer expectations.
-o
perating independently with its own
banking licence and underwriting, but
typically still working with strategic
partners for key products or capabilities
such as operations.
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How it works
BaaS embeds financial services seamlessly into customer journeys to make them more
convenient and accessible
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Ecommerce is
driving growth
~45–50%
The relationship is illustrated by the corre
lation between ecommerce penetration
and BaaS revenues across core retail
segments. (See Exhibit 2). This effect was year-on-year spike in
amplified by the pandemic, with a ~45–50% UK ecommerce sales
year-on-year spike in UK ecommerce growth in 2020
sales growth in 2020, and ecommerce
penetration of overall retail sales peaking
at ~36% in early 2021.6
6 R
ange of data sources triangulated across: ‘Internet Retail Sales’ data series, Office for National Statistics,
Edge by Ascential, Euromonitor and eMarketer 7
White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
In the UK, ecommerce sales growth has Exhibit 2: Ecommerce penetration drives BaaS revenue growth
been normalising, with a ~5–10% year-
on-year decline in 2022, having grown
~16–18% CAGR over the previous four Segments with higher BaaS
eCommerce revenue typically see high level
years (2019–2022).7 penetration of ecommerce penetration
0
£0M £100M £200M £300M £400M £500M
BaaS revenue
Grocery has high BaaS revenue (from their Bank
units), despite low ecommerce pentration due to
significant market size (-30% of retail market)
Source: UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) (2022); Edge by Ascential, 2022; Statista (2022); CarGurus (2022), Bloomberg
(FMI) BaaS market study; BCG experience
7, 8, 9 Ibid. 8
White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
27 %
Popularised initially in the fashion segment repayments estimated to be via credit
but now spreading across the retail card12). However, we expect there to be
industry, about 27% of UK adults used a 15–20% negative impact on revenues
BNPL at least once in the six months to from revolving balances by 2026.
January 2023, according to the Financial
Conduct Authority. The majority of users The ‘pay-in-x’ and ‘deferred payment’ of UK adults used BNPL at
were in younger age groups, particularly BNPL models form part of a broader least once in the six months to
25–34-year-olds, 39% of whom had continuum of new credit models in January 2023, according to the
used it.10 retail, enabled by BaaS and embedded Financial Conduct Authority
finance, which also include credit lines
As a competing, interest-free checkout and consumer-funded instalment lending.
payment method alternative to credit BaaS additionally enables retailers to issue
cards, there is clear potential for a private label credit cards. (See Exhibit 3).
cannibalisation effect on credit cards.
Based on survey results and BCG analysis,
we estimate that about 30–35% of BNPL
spend is cannibalising spend that would
have otherwise occurred on a credit
card, with the remainder of volumes
representing incremental spend.11 For
credit card issuers, we expect this
to have a flat impact on interchange
revenue (BNPL repayments have an
offsetting impact to payment volume
lost to BNPL purchases, with 25% of
10 Financial Conduct Authority, Deferred Payment Credit: findings from the Financial Lives Survey, October 2023
11 Multiple survey results triangulated across C+Rreport, Opinium Survey 2022, NerdWallet 2023 Consumer Credit Report, Savanta2023 Poll
12 Guttman-Kenney, Benedict and Firth, Chris and Gathergood, John, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)...On Your Credit Card (January 6, 2023). Journal of Behavioral & Experimental Finance, 2023. 9
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Lending continuum
How long is it? 4 weeks if paid in full Within 30 days 3–12 months ~12–48 months 12–60 months
What is the ticket size? Depends on the individual Depends on the individual ~£50–500 £2k to 6k £300–6k
limit and spend limit and spend
What is the APR? ~20% Zero APR Zero APR ~12%–14% ~10%–12%
(None if repaid in time) + late payments fees + late payments fees
How much are Merchant fee Merchant fee ~2–6% N/A N/A
merchants charged? (~87bps in UK) (~1.5–2%) (Consumer-funded) (Consumer-funded)
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Uplifts would primarily be from ‘indirect The ‘direct revenue’ stream was a smaller
revenue’ (about 75–85% of total revenue but relevant component highlighted in
impact): this refers to the incremental retailer interviews. This refers to revenue
sales impact enabled by BaaS through sharing of net interest or card interchange
higher average order values, increased income. Retailers reported varied levels of
conversion rates and repeat purchases. interest in direct revenue streams based on
scale, product type and strategic objectives
Retailers commented on the importance for BaaS and embedded finance.
of flexible payment options to drive
conversion and basket sizes, a trend likely
strengthened by the cost-of-living crisis.
For example, in the fashion segment, Exhibit 4: How BaaS boosts retailer revenue
BaaS boosted checkout conversions by
10–15% and order values by as much
as 30% for the retailers interviewed. (See
Exhibit 4). The impact of these dynamics KPIs apply to
transactions Fashion Home Marketplaces
on retailer revenue was estimated to be through BaaS improvement
around 4–7%.
Increased checkout conversion ~10–15% ~5–12% ~2–3%
Retailers see KPI uplifts when BaaS products are used, lending
to incremental revenue impacts
Source: Expert interviews, Company financial reports, Statista, BCG analysis
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Complex systems integration programmes The BaaS provider will typically also play
could take years to fully deliver into a a key role across operations (e.g., on-
steady state. There was also a limited boarding, in-life management), though
supplier base with the right combination capabilities in additional areas such
of product breadth, technology, operations as risk management, compliance and
and support to choose from. servicing vary significantly from supplier
to supplier. (See Exhibit 5). Together with
The result was a complex web of agency more flexible, opex-driven commercial
banks, technology providers and other models that incur lower upfront costs,
outsourced third-parties coming together BaaS is enabling all types of retailers to
to deliver financial services. However, offer financial services and become a
cloud-native platforms and open APIs fintech, too.
have now greatly simplified the task of
back-end integration, feeding directly into
relevant channels. Retailers interviewed
for this article typically chose to focus on
the front-end UI/UX, customer journeys,
marketing and branding instead, in line
with their core capabilities.
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Retailer’s
customers
Propositions on Retailer’s
Your tone of Your Your loyalty Your customer Your customer
the front-end customisation
voice marketing programme acquisition journeys
Technology and
Technology platform and operations support
operations in the
back-end
Term- Debit card Program BNPL Identity & access Financial risk, Operations may or
deposits setup management compliance may not include some
of these components
Send & Credit lines Points Pay in X Payment In-life management based on supplier
receive balance operations capabilities
Closed loop Card controls Loyalty tiers Overdraft Fraud & Customer service
payment investigations
- - - - Banking licence
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Key customer needs in this segment He was onboarded in minutes and In a highly competitive industry, where
include support with budgeting for large incentivised to add deposits into the customers are demanding more rewards,
purchases, expectations of seamless account. With a licenced banking provider, more offers and personalisation, the
journeys, and offers that are targeted to George has security knowing his deposits retailer was able to meet George’s needs
individual needs. In this example, ‘George’ are covered by the FSCS in the UK, just to drive regular engagement. Meanwhile, a
was offered support with savings for his like regular deposits. When he reaches his smooth experience ensured conversion and
upcoming honeymoon with a savings savings goal and books his dream trip, he drove basket size value through savings.
account embedded in his browsing also receives exclusive offers and loyalty
journey. points for the transaction.
1 Account
2 Opening
3 Deposits
4 Loans &
repayments 5 Purchases
& loyalty
… a 30 y.o. (Gen X), looking to book On the trip.com George is enticed George can start George reaches the Meanwhile, George
his honeymoon. website, George is by the rates as he depositing funds to savings goal for his accumulates trip.com
offered a Trip.com was previously saving save up for his honeymoon and loyalty points for his
George goes on the trip.com website savings account with for the trip in a honeymoon! purchases the flights purchases and gains
(a travel marketplace) to look for 2.5% rates on deposits. non-interest-bearing and hotel. access to exclusive
flights and hotels, his ideal honeymoon sub-account. Enabled through open offers.
comes to £3500. banking integration He later decides to
George signs up; he is and A2A capabilities, add two additional
approved, and his new George transfers £100 nights and is offered
account opens in each month into the a 12-months interest
minutes. trip.com account. free term loan.
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Next steps:
Starting the journey
1 Prioritise: Identify
customer needs 2 Products: Target products
and services that provide
strategic solutions
Forward-looking companies take a
customer perspective to prioritise Retailers can target a BaaS product shelf
customer needs, frictions to be removed framed by strategic customer objectives.
and ways to boost value exchange. BaaS Optimising for customer retention, purchase
is well-suited to address common pain frequency and engagement could lead to
points along the customer journey that a product set that includes credit cards,
may stop customers making purchases savings accounts, loyalty and reward
or cause them to drop out. programs.
It makes sense to baseline leading and Driving checkout conversion may involve
lagging target KPIs, such as abandoned broadening payment method acceptance
checkouts, conversion rates, average into digital wallet integration, BNPL and
order value, and repeat purchases. These instalment loans. Above all, it pays to think
KPIs can often be benchmarked across ahead to the broader customer journey
suppliers to help build confidence in and experience targeted to be delivered,
the proposition. ensuring supplier use cases can provide
value for the customer and align with the
retailer’s UI/UX ambition.
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Balance Underwriting via partner bank, may have less capital Underwriting in-house, often well capitalised
sheet strength
Regulatory Building risk management and regulatory expertise Seasoned risk management and regulatory expertise; may
experience offer long-term support and guidance
Propositions Aim to be best-in Excel in core digital Sponsorship model: End-to-end proposition
-class for specific banking products infrastructure access across products and
products area & UX & enablement operations
Implementation, Faster integration; typically partner to provide some Slower integration, Faster integration,
operations & ops and servicing capabilities limited capabilities broader ops &
servicing servicing capability
BaaS solutions today are offered by a As the digital revolution continues its
range of supplier archetypes. (See Exhibit relentless trajectory in the retail industry,
8). Providers offer an array of capabilities, BaaS and embedded finance are fast
so retailers must decide whether they becoming table stakes across segments.
are seeking to construct a best-of-breed Against the backdrop of narrowing
ecosystem, where fintechs and neo-bank margins and cost-of-living pressures,
players focus on more narrow product consumers are demanding more than
areas such as BNPL, or to access the ever from value exchanges. As our
benefits offered by banks, including broader research shows, retail leaders can rely
capabilities across products, operations, on BaaS and embedded finance solutions
servicing and compliance expertise. to bolster customer acquisition, grow
basket sizes and increase long-term
Traditional bank BaaS units are positioned engagement. Successful retailers focus
to offer risk management and compliance on key customer pain points, assemble
expertise, built over years, providing the a coherent product shelf to address those
confidence needed to embed financial pain points and choose suppliers that
products into a variety of customer partner with them to deliver compelling
journeys. customer experiences.
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White paper | Bridging Finance & Retail
Andrew Ellis NatWest Boxed offers a cloud-native Combining our technology stack,
Chief Executive Officer Banking-as-a-Service platform that enables banking license, compliance expertise
brands and fintechs to seamlessly offer and operational support, our vision is to
financial services to their customers, power the UK’s best embedded financial
George Toumbev securely and at scale. Boxed was established experiences. Today, we employ more
Chief Commercial Officer in 2022, through a strategic partnership than 500 people across locations in UK
between NatWest and Vodeno to create and Poland. For more information, visit
Ekta Jetha a new Banking-as-a-Service business in nwboxed.com.
Marketing Director the UK.
Max Hauser Boston Consulting Group partners with Our diverse, global teams bring deep
Managing Director & Partner, leaders in business and society to tackle industry and functional expertise and
London their most important challenges and a range of perspectives that question
capture their greatest opportunities. the status quo and spark change. BCG
Mark Dynes BCG was the pioneer in business strategy delivers solutions through leading-edge
Managing Director & Partner, when it was founded in 1963. Today, management consulting, technology and
London we work closely with clients to embrace design, and corporate and digital ventures.
Milan Wadher a transformational approach aimed at We work in a uniquely collaborative model
Associate Director & Partner, benefiting all stakeholders – empowering across the firm and throughout all levels of
London organisations to grow, build sustainable the client organization, fueled by the goal
competitive advantage, and drive positive of helping our clients thrive and enabling
societal impact. them to make the world a better place.
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NatWest Boxed has its registered office at 250 Bishopsgate, London, United Kingdom EC2M 4AA.
Copyright 2024 © NatWest Boxed Limited
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