The company sought to expand abroad by applying for an Irish banking license, which would have given the bank access to the European Union market. AMSTERDAM — Digital bank Starling will not re-apply for a European Union banking license and instead pursue international expansion through its software business, the incoming CEO said, in a diverging approach to overseas growth from some of its rivals. Raman Bhatia outlined the company's international expansion plans on Wednesday, in his first public remarks since his appointment as CEO in March, taking over from founder Anne Boden. Bhatia said that the company has no plans to re-apply for the EU banking license to push into new countries. Instead, international expansion will be driven by Engine, a software platform that Starling sells to other companies, so they can set up their own digital banks.

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Persons: Raman Bhatia, Starling, Bhatia, Goldman Sachs, Anne Boden Organizations: OVO Energy Ltd, European Union, AMSTERDAM —, CNBC, Salt Bank, AMP Locations: AMSTERDAM, Thailand, Salt, Romania, Australia