Anil Stocker
Podcast appearances as guest
Launching and selling Kriya with Anil Stocker (Episode 37)
In this episode, I sit down with Anil Stocker, CEO and founder of Kriya.
On the podcast
Anil worked in Lehman Brothers' private equity fund from 2006 to 2008 and left two months before it collapsed.
Anil co-founded Kriya, originally MarketInvoice, as one of London's first fintech lenders, raising a seed round of about 350,000.
Barclays and Santander invested in Kriya's Series B.
Kriya was hit hard when UK interest rates rose about fivefold.
Kriya was sold to Allica Bank about six months after serious talks began; Anil had known Allica's CEO for years.
Kriya remains a brand and division within Allica Bank, and Anil reports to Allica's CEO.
Anil has made about 20 angel investments.
Getting a UK banking licence takes at least three years and costs around 8 million pounds.
London became a fintech hub thanks to a supportive government, open banking and data reforms, tax incentives, low rates and financial-services talent.
Through the cycle, fintech lenders need the stability of a bank balance sheet.