At FTT Lending this past March, we had the chance to sit down with Neil Kadagathur, CEO and Co-Founder of Creditspring, to explore what responsible lending looks like in practice. For Neil, it is rooted in a clear principle: building the business around customer outcomes from outset, rather than adapting to regulation after the fact. While consumer duty establishes a clear benchmark across financial services, Creditspring has long embedded these principles into its operating models.

CreditSpring offering extends well beyond short-term lending. Its membership model is designed to improve long-term financial wellbeing, offering tools like financial education, credit-building support, and benefits finders. The impact is tangible—£2.8 billion in unclaimed benefits have been identified for members, with 98% reporting improved financial knowledge, and 80% seeing their credit scores rise. These outcomes are the real measure of success, showing that lending can be both commercially viable and genuinely supportive when designed with the customer in mind.

Looking ahead, Neil offers a more contrarian view on where lending is heading, particularly when it comes to open banking. Widely seen as a game-changer, he believes it’s often overhyped, pointing to inconsistent data and adoption as key limitations. Instead, he sees it as a useful supplement rather than a silver bullet. It’s a perspective that challenges the industry to think more critically about innovation—and to remember that better outcomes come from how technology is applied, not just the technology itself. Want to hear more?

Watch the full interview to dive deeper into CreditSpring’s approach and Neil’s take on the future of lending:

For more on how technology can help meet customer needs, join us at the FTT Fintech Festival on 9-10 November in The Brewery, London.