British digital bank Starling is planning its first expansion outside of Europe, targeting a move into Asia-Pacific, CNBC has learned. However, Drewett said the bank Starling is partnering would use the company's software to launch small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) accounts, rather than to provide personal banking services. "It's a different proof point for us: one in Europe, one in Asia-Pacific," Drewett told CNBC in an interview Thursday. Engine is a technology platform that Starling launched in March 2022 and licenses out to other financial technology firms and large banks. Starling is using its Engine core banking platform as a launchpad for international expansion.

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Persons: Goldman Sachs, Nick Drewett, Starling, Drewett, Anne Boden, Boden, Statista Organizations: CNBC, Qatar Investment Partners, Fidelity Management, Research Company Locations: Europe, Asia, Pacific, Irish, U.K, Qatar