At Finance Incorporated Limited (FIL), we believe that financial services can be a powerful force for positive change. For the past decade, we’ve demonstrated that a strong set of values and smart business strategy can work hand in hand, yielding sustainable growth and meaningful impact. From a six-person team in 2017, FIL grew to a beautifully multicultural team of 80 spread across four locations by 2024, with assets increasing from 3.5 million to 400 million Euros over the period.

Recently, we took the time to reflect and refresh our purpose, mission, values, and vision. This process, while time-consuming, represents a crucial investment in our culture and our ability to move into the future with integrity.

At the heart of our culture and identity lies our purpose: “To inspire the financial services industry to better serve humanity.” Our purpose goes beyond a set of words to write on the wall – it is an internal mantra that represents the driving force behind everything we do.

Our CEO, Cenk Kahraman, often reflects on the underpinnings of this purpose: “Financial services are the lifeblood of any economy. By approaching our work with consciousness and ethical consideration, we have the opportunity to catalyze positive change not just within our company, but across the entire industry. It’s a responsibility we embrace wholeheartedly.”

This sense of responsibility is reflected in our core values: Ingenuity, Care, Agility, and Drive. These are the principles we live by every day, from the executive committee to every member of our team.

Ingenuity for us means making the best of all available resources, combining experience across disciplines to maintain an innovative outlook. This resourcefulness allows us to deliver novel solutions efficiently, often punching above our weight.

Care starts inside and then extends beyond our immediate team to encompass the wider community and environment. We recognise that a healthy, happy team is the foundation of success, and we extend this empathetic approach to all our stakeholders.

Our value of Agility keeps us nimble and responsive. We pride ourselves on our ability to adapt quickly to emerging conditions, maintaining resilience while staying true to our purpose.

And Drive? That’s what pushes us to excel, overcome odds, and explore new possibilities. Our motivation stems from a deep-seated belief that our success should translate into lasting, positive societal change.

These values underpin our approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. We acknowledge our responsibility towards our team, the community, and society at large. This is particularly crucial in the payments sector, where every transaction has the potential to impact society.

Mr Kahraman puts it eloquently: “Each payment processed through responsible channels is an opportunity to contribute positively to society. We’re working towards a future where financial transactions become a vehicle for social good. It’s about more than minimizing harm – it’s about actively creating benefit.”

ESG is deceptive sometimes. Ticking boxes on a list of minimum requirements might appease those around us. 

But we want to set an example. 

We believe the private sector has a crucial role to play in addressing ecological and social justice issues. We’re not waiting for political or regulatory frameworks to catch up – we’re taking the initiative now.

This proactive approach is encapsulated in our brand promise: “Simplicity through innovation.” By simplifying financial services through innovative solutions, we aim to make responsible financial practices more accessible and appealing to all.

Even our new visual identity reinforces these values. The use of black and white represents clarity and simplicity, while the angular notch in our logo symbolizes our forward-thinking approach and readiness to welcome future innovations.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to our vision of pioneering financial services that enrich lives and strengthen communities across Europe. This vision is supported by our mission to provide simple, accessible, adaptive, and reliable financial services through innovative solutions.

Cenk often reminds us that, “Our work in finance is not separate from the broader human experience. Every decision we make, every product we develop, is an opportunity to contribute to the greater good. It’s about recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and acting accordingly.”

As we face global challenges that require collective action, we believe businesses can be powerful forces for positive change. By staying true to our values and purpose, we’re not just adapting to the future of finance – we’re actively helping to shape it, one transaction at a time.

Our journey is about more than financial success. It’s about proving that when we align our actions with our values, we can create a financial services industry that truly serves humanity. That’s the future we’re building at FIL, and we welcome others to join us in this mission.

As we continue to grow and evolve, our commitment to values-based banking serves as an inspiring example of how businesses can thrive while making a positive impact on the world. In doing so, we would like to help redefine the role of business in society.