Global payment giant PayPal has shifted its focus to banking. The company, which has been a part of our lives for years as a digital wallet and payment tool, has officially begun preparations to establish a bank under the name “PayPal Bank.” In this context, PayPal has submitted all necessary applications to the Utah Financial Institutions Department and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
A Giant Step in the Financial World
This new entity, headquartered in Utah, will operate as an “industrial lending company.” PayPal states that the primary goal of this move is to increase business efficiency and more strongly support the growth of small businesses across the US. Here are the key services that PayPal Bank is expected to offer:
- Business Loans: Financing solutions for small businesses will be provided more quickly and efficiently.
- Term Deposit Accounts: Savings accounts offering interest will be opened for individual and business customers.
- Independent Payment Network: To complement its existing banking relationships, the company will directly join card networks across the US. This will speed up transaction processes.
PayPal emphasizes that since 2013, it has provided over $30 billion in loans and working capital to more than 420,000 business accounts worldwide. However, until now, these transactions were largely conducted through third-party banks.
By establishing its own bank, PayPal will reduce its reliance on external institutions and lower costs by managing lending processes directly within its own structure.
The most critical point for customers is security. If the authorities approve the establishment of PayPal Bank, customer deposits in the bank will be insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation). This means that balances in PayPal accounts will be as secure as money in traditional banks.
This move by PayPal is considered the most concrete part of its vision to transform from just a payment method into a fully-fledged financial ecosystem.
