Zopa launches GBP £1 minimum investment accounts with Upvest
Zopa has launched a new investment offering in the UK, allowing customers to begin investing with as little as GBP £1. The bank is working with Upvest to provide the infrastructure for these products, aiming to simplify the process for those new to investing.
Product features
The new investment proposition is initially available to existing Zopa customers, with a wider roll-out planned for early 2026. It is available through both General Investment Accounts and Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs), and supports internal transfers between Zopa's current Cash ISA and the new Stocks and Shares ISA product. Investments can be made and withdrawn flexibly throughout the tax year, allowing customers to manage their ISA allowance.
Customers will also receive real-time status updates on their accounts and transfers. Future updates are set to introduce Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to the platform, alongside new digital features designed to enhance user experience and engagement.
Target audience
The service targets an estimated 15 million UK adults who reportedly hold more than six months' income in cash but are yet to start investing. Zopa intends the new offerings to help these individuals diversify their savings and access different investment options under a single platform.
"For far too long, Brits have been sitting on billions of cash - not because they don't want to invest, but because they don't know where to start. At Zopa, we're changing that. We're thrilled to be working with Upvest to unlock Investments for millions of UK consumers for the first time. Bringing Investments and Stocks & Shares ISA accounts alongside savings and cash ISAs under one Zopa roof gives our customers more financial control, all within a simple, education-led platform designed to build confidence and peace of mind," said Merve Ferrero, CSO, Zopa.
Technology integration
Upvest's Investment API is being used to support Zopa's investment infrastructure, providing customers with the ability to transfer funds between ISAs and receive real-time information on the status of their transfers. The integration also facilitates seamless external ISA transfers, which the firms expect will help encourage the movement of funds from traditional savings into investment products.
Upvest currently operates in over 20 European markets and processes up to 10 million orders monthly for various clients, including N26, bunq, Raisin, Santander's Openbank, and DKB. In the UK, Upvest already supports Webull and Revolut using its investment infrastructure technology.
"We're proud to be powering Zopa's brand new capabilities with Upvest's Investment API. Our partnership will make investing easy, simple, and trustworthy for Zopa's 1.6 million customers as it enters its next phase of growth. Zopa is a trusted brand empowering people to build wealth and take greater control of their finances, and it sits at the forefront of digital banking innovation. With Upvest's technology, Zopa is seamlessly integrating investing alongside current accounts, offering customers a holistic view of their finances and meeting them where they are. We're delighted to partner with Zopa as they expand their offering and make wealth building accessible to a new generation of British investors," said Symmie Swil, UK General Manager, Upvest.
Wider market context
The UK retail investment market has been largely driven by a small core of consumers with significant sums held in cash products. Zopa's entry is intended to lower the barriers to entry by allowing micro-investments, digital onboarding, and integrated cash and investment accounts.
The new partnership is part of a wider trend, with digital banks adding more wealth management and investment products to attract new users. The infrastructure provided by companies like Upvest has allowed banks and fintechs to roll out these offerings more quickly and efficiently than was previously possible.
