Digital bank plans in‑app broker service as it deepens focus on home loans
Digital bank Monzo has agreed a deal to acquire online mortgage broker Habito, in a move that would bring mortgage advice and sourcing directly into its mobile app for UK customers.
If approved, the transaction would make Monzo the first UK bank to provide a fully digital, end‑to‑end mortgage broking journey within its own platform, from initial advice through to product recommendation and application.
Monzo already offers a Homeownership tool that allows more than 450,000 customers to view details of their existing home loan, including outstanding balance, estimated property value and alternative products that may offer a better rate or terms. The Habito acquisition is intended to extend this capability from monitoring to execution for new and existing borrowers.
The deal is expected to complete in spring 2026, subject to regulatory clearance and other standard closing conditions.
“Monzo has transformed money management for millions and millions of customers - yet we know that mortgages still remain a complex, cumbersome pain point, and one we are looking to solve,” said Kunal Malani, chief banking officer at Monzo.
“This is a huge step in our mission to make money work for everyone, and we’re excited to bring Monzo’s simplicity and transparency to one of life’s biggest financial moments.”
Ying Tan, chief executive of Habito, said they were looking forward to the firm’s “next chapter with Monzo.” He added, “Together, we’ll transform what the mortgage experience feels like - effortless, empowering, and truly built around people.”
The move underlines Monzo’s growing interest in mortgages as a core part of its product set. The bank has highlighted research suggesting that UK homeowners collectively have up to £5.3 billion that they would like to use for mortgage overpayments each year but lack the tools or understanding to act on this intention. Monzo has argued that better digital functionality could help unlock this behaviour, with potential annual savings of about £2.3 billion in mortgage interest for homeowners.
The planned acquisition also signals an escalation in competition among app‑based finance platforms. Monzo’s strategy contrasts with that of rival Revolut, which has focused on a broader “super‑app” proposition spanning areas such as hotel bookings, mobile tariffs and cryptoassets, rather than embedding mortgage broking into its core banking experience.
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