New UK Coalition Aims to Transform Payments for Vulnerable Customers

The Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has launched a new national Coalition to improve payment solutions for vulnerable customers. The initiative aims to create safer and more inclusive ways for people to manage their money with trusted support. It builds on the success of Project Nemo, a grassroots movement recognised for its impact on financial inclusion. The Coalition brings together banks, fintechs, regulators, charities, consumer groups and people with lived experience. Their goal is to develop practical solutions for large-scale implementation. The first phase, funded by HM Treasury, will focus on individuals with learning disabilities, with potential benefits for the 11 million UK adults assisting others with digital banking.

Initially, the group will work on a trust and consent framework. They will also pilot a proof of concept for supported payment journeys using Open Banking technology. This follows the Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, which highlighted Project Nemo’s work and endorsed the new Coalition for delivery.

CFIT will host a workshop on 18 June 2026 to shape the Coalition’s roadmap. Formal activities are set to begin this summer. Rachel Blake MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, and Anna Wallace, CEO of CFIT, have both backed the initiative, emphasising its role in building a more resilient financial system.

The Coalition is the fifth national project led by CFIT. It follows earlier work on Open Finance, Digital Company ID, SME Access to Finance and Open Property. The new Coalition seeks to establish a Supported Payments framework, allowing vulnerable customers to make everyday payments with guidance and safeguards. The initiative marks the next priority in CFIT’s efforts to enhance financial inclusion. Its success could set a precedent for broader adoption across the UK’s financial sector.