N26 was founded in 2013 in Berlin with the vision of creating a mobile-first banking experience that customers love. By 2015, it launched its first current account in Germany and quickly gained traction with its digital-first approach. In 2016, N26 secured its own banking license, becoming one of Europe’s first fully-licensed mobile banks.

Today, the bank’s seamless, app-based platform allows users to open accounts, manage finances, and access a range of innovative features—all tailored for the digital era.

N26’s initial setup relied on a partner-provided banking backend. While it enabled a quick launch, it limited the neobank's ability to scale, launch new products, and enter new markets. One of N26’s first steps to achieve its future aims was to become a licensed bank in its own right rather than rely on the license of its partner.

Building on this, N26 also made the decision to transition to a cloud-native banking platform. It needed a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective core banking solution.