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Sling & Stone working with 86 400 to launch ‘new bank’ in Australia

Public relations firm Sling & Stone has won 86 400’s business, which describes itself as “a sophisticated startup building what will be a new bank here in Australia”.

Sling & Stone specialises in fintechs, startups and ‘disruptors’ – already working with the likes of Uber, Twitter, Stake and Slack – and won the business earlier this year after a competitive pitch process.

86 400 still needs a banking licence

86 400 aims to change the Australian banking landscape, Sling & Stone said.

“The venture is incredibly ambitious, well-funded and looking to take market share from the Big Four,” a release from Sling & Stone said. “Ultimately, it aims to provide Australians with a better banking experience entirely in their mobile phone.

“86 400 is led by UK banking entrepreneur Anthony Thomson, former ANZ Japan CEO Robert Bell and other fintech lumunaries, and was unveiled to the media on June 27.”

The PR agency has been working with 86 400 on messaging development, strategies for market and consumer launches, and all media relations and content strategies.

Bell said the two companies were a good match.

“At 86 400, we’re building a bank that will give Australians real value, every second of every day. We knew from our first meeting with Sling & Stone that they had the expertise that would help us tell our story effectively. It helps that the team is equally as passionate about changing the banking industry as we are, they’ve been like an extension of the team since day one.”

Vuki Vujasinovic, Sling & Stone’s founder and CEO, agreed.

“When we first met the 86 400 team, it immediately became apparent that they’re extremely ambitious and have a razor-focus on shaking up Australia’s banking landscape. We’re at a turning point in banking, and we can see that 86 400 has the team, the product and the know-how to give Australians a real alternative. That’s exactly why we’re so excited to have them join the Sling & Stone family – it’s not every day you get to launch what will be a new bank.”

The name of the company – pronounced eighty-six four-hundred – is based on the number of seconds in a day.

Mumbrella understands 86 400 is still waiting on the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to grant it a full banking licence.

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