The Revolut brand displayed on a smartphone.
Igor Golovniov | SOPA Photographs | LightRocket by way of Getty Photographs
LONDON — Revolut’s Chief Monetary Officer Mikko Salovaara is leaving the digital financial institution after two years, citing private causes.
“I’m grateful for the chance to function Group CFO at Revolut and stay assured within the agency’s future success,” Salovaara stated in an announcement despatched to CNBC by way of WhatsApp.
With a $33 billion valuation, Revolut is one in every of Europe’s most respected fintech firms. The agency provides no-fee present accounts, overseas change, inventory and cryptocurrency buying and selling, insurance coverage, and journey bookings, amongst different companies.
Revolut’s CEO Nik Storonsky stated: “I thank Mikko for his contribution and want him properly on his subsequent steps.”
An organization spokesperson advised CNBC Salovaara resigned and has not been fired. He stated it will be inappropriate to disclose the non-public causes which have led to his departure.
The Revolut spokesperson stated Salovaara’s determination was unrelated to considerations flagged by auditor BDO in regards to the firm’s monetary accounts.
In March, BDO stated that it was unable to independently confirm three quarters of the £636 million ($795 million) of income reported by the corporate in its delayed 2021 accounts.
In its newest annual report, Revolut reported its first-ever full yr of profitability, posting a pre-tax revenue of £59.1 million on revenues of £636.2 million. In 2020, Revolut recorded a pre-tax lack of £205 million.
The corporate was late to producing its accounts to the U.Ok. firm register, Firms Home, in time for a Dec. 31 deadline. They had been lastly signed off by BDO, Revolut’s auditors, in February.
A Revolut spokesperson stated the corporate had a “robust finance” crew in place and would announce an interim head to interchange Salovaara sooner or later.
Revolut has lengthy been pursuing a U.Ok. financial institution license. The corporate started its utility for a banking license in 2021, and has complained of delays to the method with CEO Storonsky not too long ago accusing regulators of slowing down its utility.
In an interview with The Instances revealed final week, Storonsky stated that it’s “onerous to do enterprise within the U.Ok.,” including that the corporate would by no means contemplate an inventory in London.
“Within the U.Ok. there are larger taxes to pay and a particularly bureaucratic regulator,” Storonsky advised The Instances.
He and co-founder Vlad Yatesnko stated that complicated and unclear regulatory necessities had prevented them from competing globally and the UK had turn out to be a much less enticing place for gifted folks since Brexit and the Covid pandemic, in line with The Instances.
Salovaara’s determination to stop has raised questions in regards to the firm’s path towards an eventual inventory market itemizing. Revolut not too long ago had its valuation minimize round 46% by the asset supervisor Schroders, reflecting the grim investor temper surrounding the fintech market.