Lancashire tech firm acquired by global platform

By Rob Kelly

15 Apr 2025

Luke1

Lancashire headquartered consumer payments app VibePay has been acquired by global ‘Pay by Bank’ platform Banked.

The deal aims to accelerate global ‘Pay by Bank’ adoption through innovative consumer and merchant incentives.

Founded by Preston entrepreneur Luke Massie, VibePay, which is based in Lancaster, connects people, brands, sellers and banks with real time messaging and instant payments.

Like Cash App and Venmo in the US, the company has gained a loyal Gen Z and Millennial following, pioneering ‘Conversational Commerce’ through an innovative blend of personalised offers, peer-to-peer payments and financial insights.

The acquisition was supported by VibePay’s long-time supporter and investor, Candy Ventures, founded by UK entrepreneur and businessman Nick Candy.

Banked’s acquisition of VibePay will address a gap in the market by rewarding debit users who have been overlooked in traditional credit card ecosystems.

The partnership will bring together Banked’s seamless payment infrastructure platform with Vibe Pay’s next-generation consumer experiences and merchant insights tooling.

Operating under the Banked umbrella, consumers will gain access to personalised rewards, cashback, and exclusive offers with every Pay by Bank transaction in the VibePay app – delivering tangible value with every spend.

VibePay’s new AI-powered insights and buyer recommendation engine - an industry first in Open Banking - was another key driver behind the acquisition.

Initially focused on the UK, this will allow Banked’s partners and merchants to target verified Pay by Bank users through VibePay’s channels, delivering tailored offers and messages that drive sales, increase basket sizes, and boost engagement, bringing brands and consumers closer than ever.

Luke Massie, Founder and Chief Executive of VibePay, said: “This is an incredibly exciting new chapter for VibePay and our community.

“We’ve spent years building technology that genuinely connects people – not just for transactions, but for experiences.

“By joining forces with Banked, we now have the infrastructure, global reach, and merchant access to supercharge what we’ve built, and deliver real value to consumers at scale.”

Luke and Steven Smith, director of Candy Ventures, will both join the Banked board at the completion of the acquisition. The deal is awaiting FCA approval.

Candy Ventures Founder, Nick Candy, said: “I’ve been a strong supporter of VibePay, and I’m excited about the future with Banked.

“The global vision of the Banked founders is truly inspiring, and I see immense potential in the combined vision for the next generation of payments.

“This is a positive moment for the UK technology sector, with two British companies coming together to drive forward a global ambition. I’m proud to be a part of this journey and am eager to champion this story both in the UK and internationally.”

Brad Goodall, chief executive of Banked, said: “Banked’s pioneering global infrastructure has made us a leading Pay by Bank provider alongside our distribution partners and merchants.

“But the real value in Pay by Bank goes beyond cheap and secure payments; it’s in making spending work for everyone.

“The combination of Banked and VibePay will drive Pay by Bank adoption through innovative consumer incentives – on par with credit cards – and empower merchants with deep data insights to drive acquisition and retention like never before.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have Luke and the team joining Banked to create the best Pay by Bank experience in the world and accelerate market adoption for our banking technology partners, merchants, and consumers.”

This is the second acquisition Banked has made in the last 12 months after acquiring Australian Pay by Bank provider, Waave, in October 2024, further strengthening its presence across the UK, EU, US, and Australia.

Most recently, Banked partnered with National Australia Bank to launch Pay by Bank for Amazon.com.au customers in Australia.

Once launched in the UK, Banked and VibePay will begin market expansion of the technology to a global audience of distribution partners, merchants and consumers.

With operations across the UK, Europe, US, and Australia, Banked is backed by strategic investors and partners including Bank of America, NAB, FIS, and Citi.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Rise of the multi-skilled workforce as employers ‘reimagine’ jobs to fill skills gaps A VR headset helps construction learners explore CAD plans

Rise of the multi-skilled workforce as employers ‘reimagine’ jobs to fill skills gaps

09 Jul 2025

2

Walker Fire accelerates growth with two strategic acquisitions and launch of new digital platform Walker Fire

Walker Fire accelerates growth with two strategic acquisitions and launch of new digital platform

08 Jul 2025

3

10th year of growth for Begbies Traynor Ric Traynor of Begbies Traynor

10th year of growth for Begbies Traynor

08 Jul 2025

4

Iconic Lancaster Inn gets £600K makeover New bar at Toll House Inn at Lancaster

Iconic Lancaster Inn gets £600K makeover

08 Jul 2025

5

FWP completes life-changing youth support project Boat House Youth Centre

FWP completes life-changing youth support project

08 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin