Increase

Increase is a US bank infrastructure company founded in 2020 by Darragh Buckley, Stripe’s first employee. It gives technology companies programmatic access to store, move and reconcile money, replacing the file-and-spreadsheet workflows that normally sit between a software product and the US payment rails. Increase runs its own core banking system and connects directly to Federal Reserve services rather than layering on a third-party processor.

The API covers ACH, Fedwire wire transfers, Real-Time Payments, FedNow, Check 21 cheque issuance and clearing, push-to-card, bank accounts and debit card issuing. The company originally operated through FDIC-insured partner banks; in June 2025 the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco approved founder Darragh Buckley’s acquisition of Twin City Bancorp of Longview, Washington, which was rebranded and launched as Increase Bank in 2026. The group therefore now holds a charter of its own while continuing to sell infrastructure to other businesses. Increase appeared on the Forbes Fintech 50 in 2025 and 2026.

1. Direct rail access: ACH, Fedwire, Real-Time Payments, FedNow and Check 21 without an intermediary processor.

2. Own core: Increase operates its own core banking system rather than reselling a third-party platform.

3. Accounts and cards: programmatic bank accounts, debit card issuing and push-to-card payouts.

4. Increase Bank: Twin City Bancorp acquisition approved by the San Francisco Fed in June 2025, launched as Increase Bank in 2026.

5. Cheque handling: physical cheque issuance and deposit processing through Check 21.

6. Recognition: Forbes Fintech 50 in 2025 and 2026; ACH product named American Banker Innovation of the Year in 2025.