Mettle

We are so excited for our Solopreneur Bootcamp in partnership with Mettle & NatWest Business! 🚀 Join us for a day full of skill-building & networking with other solopreneurs where you can meet with mentors and join workshops on topics including: 💪 balancing working on your business and in your business with Sarisha Naidoo 💫 💰 understanding financial fundamentals with Mettle 🤩 how you can use AI in your business with Alexander Coles 📱 smart content creation with James Wallis 🥰 how to keep your customers engaged with Karen Licurse We'll also be hearing from some small businesses who will be sharing their expertise, including Stephanie White 💸, Steve Anyiwo, Rochelle Newman, Thalia Shaw, Cecilia Wu, Suprina Hilaire, Abi & Natalie! 🤩 It's definitely not one to be missed so grab your free tickets & let us know in the comments if you're coming along! 🥰 https://lnkd.in/e_BiRiMe

I genuinely love what fintech Mettle are up to and here’s why…… Imagine a pulsating crew of leather-clad rock fans descending upon unsuspecting small business owners. Just when the chaos seems too epic to handle, the voiceover chimes in ‘power up what you do’, and a sleek mobile banking screen emerges. The TV-led campaign theme for Mettle, mobile banking for the self-employed powered by NatWest, is high-energy and appears to be getting some heavy airtime. With 1.2 million views also on YouTube, it's clear quite a few people want to revisit it as well. But just like the ad, Mettle, is causing riffs in the UK fintech scene. Born in 2018, this wannabe rebel has been riding a wave of growth, thanks to a surge in pandemic-born startups and those with 2nd stage "side-hustles" (what feels like today’s must-have career accessory - have you got one yet?). Indeed small businesses are the unsung heroes of the economy. So its intriguing, if not unsurprising, to watch an ‘in-your-face’ approach in this typically unsexy segment. As of July 2023 there were 4.2m self-employed in the UK - a huge hungry segment. So distinctive brand advertising here makes sense both for now and the future. Here's what I believe they're also rocking at: ✅ SOLVING PAIN POINTS Mettle's product officer, Ken Johnstone knows the agony of traditional banking for start ups. He’s stated his experiences fuel Mettle's mission to offer a smoother, more agile banking solution. Classic fintech foundations. And with a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 it looks like its hitting the spot. Like many of us, entrepreneurs don’t want, need or value traditional branch-based servicing. ✅ USING A POWERED BY POSITIONING Mettle's union with NatWest gives them a bedrock. They're an independent brand but also infused by NatWest's resources and expertise. Creating a strong combination that can reassure customers. Using the powered ‘by Natwest’ brand language lets Mettle ride on their credibility, heritage, and profile. Such positionings help de-risk and convey confidence. I’ve seen it work well in other sectors too. ✅ CLEAR TARGET SEGMENT Mettle caters to freelancers, small limited companies, and project workers. These unsung heroes have banking needs often overlooked by traditional players. Cash conscious, they will be attracted by fee free banking, as well as a commitment to near instant responses. They no doubt see themselves as going against the norms and the banking establishment. So its fascinating how what’s considered hygiene in other markets can be considered rebellious in financial services for the self-employed. FINAL THOUGHT Its an exciting time for banking in the UK at the moment, with many different players vying for supremacy. However, creating brand distinction and driving brand awareness will go along way to securing longevity. But of course the underlying experience still needs to deliver on its promises. #marketing #branding #fintech