Optimise, the global performance marketing company, has today announced a strategic new partnership with fintech disruptor Bud. Founded in 2015, Bud is the first company to connect people, banks and fintech service providers into one network. It’s Open Banking platform is already in use by some of the UK’s largest banks and it’s partner network represents more than 80 providers.

The Treasury said last year that the sector is worth £7 billion to the UK economy and now employs 60,000 people UK fintech firms attracted $1.8 billion in venture capital investment in 2017, boosted by big-ticket fundraising rounds from TransferWise, Oaknorth, Funding Circle, Interactive Investor and Monzo.

The partnership brings Bud’s network and innovative tech together with Optimise’s state-of-the-art universal tracking for web and app, as well as Optimise’s real-time performance analytics platform. By partnering with the UK’s number one Finance Affiliate Network, Bud will increase its access to the biggest and best financial services brands in the UK whilst leveraging Optimise’s unrivalled affiliate experience in the highly regulated banking environment.

“Optimise was a natural choice for us” commented Alan Walsh, Head of Network & Partnerships for Bud, “they facilitate reputable access to a number of financial brands which will feature in our marketplace and the sophistication of their tracking and reporting platform adds substantial value to us and our partners.”

Open Banking is designed to put people in control of their data and make it easier to move, manage and make more of their money. It provides a secure framework for managing access to financial information, empowering customers through the ownership of their data and increasing competition amongst service providers.

“Open Banking creates complex technological challenges for Banks” commented Tristan Hinchliffe, Partnerships manager for Optimise, “but these are easily resolved by a combination of Bud’s cutting-edge platform and our state-of-the-art tracking and performance analytics, which will give a world-class experience to Bud’s customers.”

Carla Arrindell, CEO of Optimise Europe goes onto say that “our expertise in performance marketing for Financial services means we’re at the forefront of marketing open banking solutions. We’re super-excited to be working with Bud, driving innovation with an industry-first fintech partnership.”