French fintech Qonto seeks banking license as it targets 2 million clients by 2030

(Reuters) -French fintech Qonto has applied for a banking license with France's banking regulator as it seeks to expand beyond payment services to offer lending, savings and investment products, it said on Thursday.

The company, which provides digital banking and financial management tools for small and medium-sized businesses, said it serves more than 600,000 business customers across eight European markets including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Qonto currently operates under a payment institution license, offering businesses financial services from invoicing and accounting to card payments and wire transfers. 

The neobank, launched in July 2017, aims to reach 2 million customers by 2030. It has raised more than 600 million euros ($705 million) in financing from venture capitalists and angel investors.

Digital payments continue to gain ground in Europe, although at a slower pace than previously. 

A European Central Bank study published in December showed cards remained the dominant payment instrument by value, with a 45% share, while mobile apps were growing rapidly from 4% to 7% of payment values.

Qonto has also bolstered its board with banking expertise, including former UniCredit CEO Jean-Pierre Mustier who serves as an independent member of Qonto's board.

A banking license would enable the company to expand its partnerships and its pay-later service with complete independence, Qonto's CEO and co-founder Alexandre Prot said in a statement.

($1 = 0.8511 euros)

(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)