Greentech Ekko opens its tech to banks and employers

The ekko API means any bank or similar provider can reward their customers in the same way. Employers can make the incentive scheme available as an employee benefit

Ekko, a digital bank that rewards use of its services with contributions to combatting climate change, has opened up its technology to employers, banks and payment providers. 

The ekko API means any bank or similar provider can reward their customers in the same way. Employers can make the incentive scheme available as an employee benefit. 

The UK-based greentech combines carbon tracking and offsetting, reforestation, and plastic waste removal with banking and payment services in its app, which has been available to consumers since 2021. 

Users of the ekko debit card, for example, are rewarded with one ocean bound plastic bottle being collected for every five transactions they conduct. 

Oli Cook, chief executive officer and co-founder of ekko, commented: “ekko’s vision is to empower more people to have the ability to reduce their impact on the environment. 

“We have opened-up our technology to any employer, bank, card, or payment provider meaning thousands of organisations can now deliver tangible and measurable impact with their colleagues and customers. 

“The financial services industry has the potential to be a gateway to green for many, and we plan on making 2023 the year when this gateway fully opens. 

“Our powerful technology allows employers and banks to customise the solution to meet their ESG goals, including on-the-ground partnerships with businesses such as Prevented Ocean Plastic who save and recycle plastic bottles before they hit our oceans.” 

Adding to its green credentials, the ekko card is produced using a post-industrial recycled PVC core along with a degradable overlay. 

Image: Ekko 

Read more: International money transfer firm Wise has launched an eco debit card in the EU and UK.  

Josh Poyser Josh Poyser is an editor at FinTech Intel. He has written about fintech for several years and appeared at FinTech Connect 2023 on the 'Unlocking Success: The Art of Fintech PR' panel.