Finance
Digital bank Starling partners with New Zealand's SBS Bank in latest overseas software deal
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 23, 2026
Quick Summary
Starling signed a 10-year deal for SBS Bank to adopt its Engine core banking platform. It is the UK fintech's fourth overseas client, expanding APAC reach after Canada, Romania and Australia.
Starling inks 10-year Engine deal with New Zealand's SBS Bank
Starling’s Engine lands 10-year SBS Bank deal
LONDON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Starling Group has announced a 10-year partnership with New Zealand's SBS Bank, the British-based digital bank and software provider said on Monday, as it continues its expansion into new markets.
Deal terms and platform upgrade
SBS will upgrade its banking systems to Starling's Engine platform, the fourth such overseas deal for Starling as it extends its provision of software services to lenders around the world in a bid to boost revenues.
Tangerine in Canada
Recent Engine clients
The deal comes after Reuters reported last November on Starling's similar deal with Canada-based Tangerine, a digital bank owned by Bank of Nova Scotia.
Salt Bank Romania and AMP Bank GO Australia
Starling also provides its Engine platform to Salt Bank in Romania and AMP Bank GO in Australia.
APAC expansion and strategy
The partnership sees Starling expand further into the Asia-Pacific region, as it doubles down on a model of licensing its Engine software amid tough competition for its core bank account services in its home market.
About SBS Bank
SBS Bank is a member-owned lender founded and still based in the city of Invercargill in New Zealand's South Island.
Reporter and editor credits
(Reporting by Lawrence White. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Key Takeaways
- •Starling Group and New Zealand's SBS Bank agree a 10-year software partnership.
- •SBS Bank will upgrade its core systems to Starling’s Engine platform.
- •This marks Starling’s fourth overseas Engine client after Tangerine, Salt Bank and AMP Bank GO.
- •The deal strengthens Starling’s APAC expansion and diversifies software revenues.
- •SBS Bank is a member-owned lender based in Invercargill, New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions about Digital bank Starling partners with New Zealand's SBS Bank in latest overseas software deal
1What is the main topic?
Starling Group has struck a 10-year partnership for New Zealand’s SBS Bank to adopt its Engine core banking platform, expanding Starling’s global software footprint.
2What is Engine by Starling?
Engine is Starling’s cloud-based, API-driven core banking platform that banks can license to modernize digital services and core systems without building from scratch.
3Which other banks use Engine?
Starling also provides Engine to Canada’s Tangerine, Salt Bank in Romania and AMP Bank GO in Australia, making SBS Bank its fourth overseas client.
