The Lending Summit 2026

FinTech North is delighted to announce our inaugural Lending Summit hosted in partnership with headline sponsors and brand sponsors .

On the 23rd of September, we will bring together leaders from across FinTech, lending, home-ownership, credit and the broader financial services sector to explore the forces reshaping modern lending today.

Leeds City Region is one of the UK’s most established centres for lending expertise, with deep strengths across retail finance, SME lending, and mortgage innovation. The region is also home to major high street and challenger banks, world-class credit reference agencies, and maintains a significant regulatory presence through the FCA and the Bank of England – all of which underpin its position as one of the most important lending ecosystems in the country.

Building on this legacy, the summit will convene major institutions, innovators, and infrastructure providers to examine how lending is evolving in a digital-first, data-driven economy. With headline sponsors Lenvi and brand sponsors PEXA, the event reflects the strength of collaboration across the Northern fintech ecosystem and the global relevance of the region’s lending capabilities.

We’re delighted to announce we will be hosting the summit at Fearns at Department, Leeds Dock – a creative and digital hub home to over 60 tech, media and digital businesses, and a natural setting for conversations at the intersection of finance and innovation. Delegates can expect a great lunch, drinks and plenty of space to connect.

What we’ll explore

The summit will focus on the key trends and technologies redefining lending today and tomorrow:

AI in Lending – transforming credit decisioning, servicing, and operational efficiency

Open Banking & Open Finance – enabling richer data, better affordability assessments, and more inclusive lending

BNPL & Embedded Credit – reshaping consumer expectations and credit delivery models

Financial Inclusion – expanding fair and responsible access to credit

Tokenisation & Digital Infrastructure – unlocking new models for assets, collateral, and settlement

Risk, Resilience & Trust – balancing innovation with stability, reputation, and customer confidence

Fraud, Financial Crime & KYC – strengthening identity, compliance, and fraud prevention in a digital ecosystem

Home Ownership & Mortgages – addressing affordability, accessibility, and digital mortgage journeys

We’re also excited to confirm that our popular showcase format will feature at the summit, spotlighting emerging lending start-ups from across the North and highlighting the next generation of products, platforms, and credit innovation.

As lending continues to evolve rapidly, the summit will connect established lenders, fintech challengers, and infrastructure providers to explore how the sector can grow more intelligent, inclusive, and resilient – and demonstrate the region’s leadership in one of financial services’ most critical and fast-changing sectors.

We’ll be announcing agenda details and speakers soon. For more information or collaboration opportunities, reach out to us at [email protected].