Digital bank Zopa has announced the opening of its new Manchester office at Dalton Place, marking the start of a major regional expansion that will create more than 500 jobs over time. The first wave of recruitment will focus on around 50 roles across retail finance, product development, engineering, and specialist operations.
The company, which now serves over 1.5 million customers, has chosen Manchester for its thriving technology ecosystem and strong local talent pool. According to Zopa, the city’s universities and growing tech sector make it an ideal location for scaling up its workforce.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described the move as a “massive vote of confidence” in the region’s digital and technology sectors. He said the planned job creation would provide new opportunities across Greater Manchester and strengthen the city region’s position as a hub for innovation.
Peter Donlon, Zopa’s Chief Technology Officer, said Manchester was a natural choice for the bank’s expansion because 85 per cent of its customers live outside London. He added that the company’s regional growth strategy will support its mission to serve customers nationwide.
Katie Gallagher OBE, Managing Director of Manchester Digital, welcomed the announcement, highlighting Manchester’s strengths in areas such as cyber, artificial intelligence, and data. She said the city’s talent and infrastructure make it attractive to financial technology firms.
Zopa has experienced significant growth in recent months. In the first half of 2025, the company’s profitability tripled compared with the same period the previous year. It has achieved £3.4 billion in gross lending and holds £5.4 billion in retail deposits.
The bank holds a full UK banking licence, meaning it operates under the same regulatory standards as traditional banks, with customer deposits protected up to £85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
Zopa has also been expanding its services through acquisitions. It recently acquired payments platform Rvvup to enhance its merchant checkout capabilities and point-of-sale finance provider DivideBuy to strengthen its embedded finance offering.
The Manchester expansion adds to the city’s growing reputation as one of the UK’s most significant fintech hubs outside London, boosting inward investment, graduate employment prospects, and innovation in financial services.