In an increasingly online world, businesses are not short of opportunities to tap into a global client-base and target specific audience demographics with unprecedented ease. However, despite the rapid evolution of digital business models, one crucial element has notably lagged behind: traditional banking.

One bank that has been challenging this status quo is Malta-based Lidion Bank. This fully corporate bank stands out for its nuanced understanding of the intricacies of the modern financial landscape, building and developing financial products that address the demands of the digital age. For CEO Jonathan Bellizzi, who oversees client-facing teams, business development, and operations, the bank’s growing success is rooted in a forward-thinking culture that is extending its focus beyond Malta's borders.

“We don't see ourselves as just a local bank but consider ourselves a pan-European one,” explains Jonathan. “When we're developing new features and products, we always think about what the European customer needs. We also strive to stay on top of the latest tech trends and innovations.”

As Jonathan points out, Lidion Bank has adopted a specialised approach, focusing on regulated tech and digital advertising companies. These industries, often underserved by traditional banks, face unique challenges that Lidion Bank is uniquely positioned to address.

“We understand that regulated tech companies, like those in iGaming, FinTech, and BSPs, often struggle to secure banking services because of the extra regulations they face,” says Jonathan. “Digital advertising is another niche that's not well understood by traditional banks. Transactions in this sector happen in milliseconds, and we're working to revolutionise our services to make payments more instantaneous for these businesses.”

Over and above their innovative technology and services, Lidion Bank has made a commitment to prioritising the human element through a highly customer-centric approach. The bank is placing significant emphasis on enhancing the client experience, every step of the way, particularly in processes like onboarding, where their aim is to simplify and humanise these time-consuming and often unintuitive experiences. Jonathan goes on to emphasise that while many businesses nowadays are pushing for more online and impersonal interactions, Lidion Bank is striving to introduce an even greater personable aspect to their services.

“This is the true ethos of our bank—the customer comes first before any of our tech or developments,” he explains. “We aim to provide added value to our clients. That's why each client is assigned a dedicated contact agent, reachable by phone or WhatsApp. We also make our management team accessible as much as possible. So, if someone wants to speak with me directly, they have that option. This approach is key to our pan-European approach. We want our clients to know that no matter where they’re based, they can easily get in touch with us for any queries or assistance.”

Building on their specialised services, Lidion Bank has been enhancing and fine-tuning its offerings to meet evolving client demands. The bank is currently launching a new set of product features, including the addition of eight new currencies, with plans to expand to 24 by the end of the year. Recognising the increasingly global reach of their corporate clients, Lidion Bank has also extended its foreign exchange services to cover 140 currencies. Additionally, they are exploring positive interest products.

“The response to these new features has been very positive,” says Jonathan. “On the digital advertising side, we're getting as close as possible to instant payments, ensuring liquidity is available quickly for our clients. This has significant benefits for their daily operations. Moreover, we're also working to shift the industry's mindset to attract new clients, demonstrating the advantages and reliability of our services in meeting industry needs.”

With this latest launch of updates and features, Lidion Bank is solidifying its position within the European region. Looking ahead, Jonathan says the bank plans to consolidate its product stack and introduce card offerings. A key focus remains on enhancing the customer experience, ensuring clients have access to cutting-edge technology in the banking sector all the while maintaining a personal touch.

“We're investing heavily in both our tech and our customer experience. Our goal is to build products that are truly unique and offer a human touch throughout. We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach because every client has different needs. And by banking with us they can feel confident that we are going to listen and find the right solutions on their behalf,” Jonathan concludes.