NatWest Group Invests in Serene, FinTech Wales Foundry Graduate
NatWest Group has made a minority investment in Serene, an early-stage AI platform focused on addressing financial vulnerability. A graduate of Season Three of the FinTech Wales Foundry, Serene leverages AI and behavioural science to identify early signs of financial distress and enable financial institutions to provide timely, personalised support at scale.
Driving Innovation in Financial Services
This strategic investment, led by NatWest’s Innovation and Partnerships Group, reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting customers experiencing financial difficulty by increasing access to innovative technologies.
Through its collaboration with Serene, NatWest aims to refine its existing financial support models and enhance customer insights, providing a scalable solution for improving financial wellbeing.
Serene participated in NatWest’s Accelerator programme in 2023 and presented at the bank’s Fintech Showcase event, where it pitched its platform to industry leaders and investors.
Leadership Perspectives
“As people continue to adapt to an ever-changing world, it’s important for us to be a trusted partner who can anticipate, understand and respond to customers’ changing needs. Platforms like Serene show the potential of tools like AI to improve outcomes for customers, in this case, by quickly identifying vulnerabilities to play a positive role across the financial system.”
“Financial vulnerability is something we will all face at some point – it’s a universal challenge that demands a smarter, more proactive approach. With NatWest’s support, we’re expanding our platform to help businesses deliver tailored solutions at scale. Their expertise in supporting scale-ups and understanding diverse customer needs will help to accelerate our growth and enable us to make an even greater impact.”
Collaborative Impact
The partnership builds on NatWest’s broader efforts to support customers through tools such as:
- In-app spending and budgeting tools, which help customers manage their finances effectively.
- Banking My Way, which tailors banking experiences to individual needs.
- Dedicated Financial Health & Support teams, providing personalised solutions for customers in financial difficulty.
NatWest’s backing of Serene underscores the bank’s focus on integrating innovative solutions to deliver better financial outcomes for its customers.