Tuum, based in Tallinn, Estonia, is one of the most advanced core banking platforms in Europe. With a modular, API-first architecture, Tuum empowers banks, fintechs, and non-financial institutions to build modern financial services fast — from deposits and lending to card issuance and compliance.
We interviewed Kristjan Kaar, co-founder and CEO of Tuum, to explore how his company is reshaping core banking infrastructure in Europe, the competitive landscape, and where financial technology is headed next.
Who is Kristjan Kaar?
Kristjan Kaar is a serial entrepreneur and fintech infrastructure expert with a background in banking IT. Before founding Tuum, he spent over a decade leading digital transformation at banks in the Baltics and Nordics. He launched Tuum to solve the scalability and flexibility problems he personally encountered in legacy banking tech.
Interview with Kristjan Kaar, CEO of Tuum
What inspired you to launch Tuum?
I saw how slow and rigid traditional core banking systems were, especially when trying to innovate or scale. We built Tuum to be cloud-native, modular, and designed for change.
What does Tuum mean?
Tuum means “core” in Estonian. It reflects our mission to be the core banking engine for the next generation of financial services.
What problems are you solving?
We replace outdated banking cores with agile, modular infrastructure. This enables banks and fintechs to launch new products fast and reduce operational complexity.
Who are your clients?
Digital banks, traditional banks undergoing transformation, fintech startups, and even telecom and retail companies launching embedded finance offerings.
What modules do you offer?
Accounts, payments, lending, cards, deposits, AML/KYC, and general ledger — all independently deployable via API.
How is Tuum different from other core banking providers?
We’re truly modular. Clients can pick only what they need. We’re also Europe-born and regulation-ready for EU markets from day one.
How does implementation work?
We offer cloud-native deployments — often live in under 3 months. Our APIs allow full integration with existing or third-party systems.
Do you offer on-premise installations?
While our focus is SaaS, we support hybrid or private cloud models for highly regulated clients.
How do you support compliance?
Our modules are PSD2-ready, GDPR-compliant, and include audit trails, reporting, and automated controls for AML and risk.
What markets are you focusing on?
DACH, Nordics, Baltics, and the UK. We’re expanding into Southern Europe and the Middle East in 2025.
What role does modularity play in your strategy?
Huge. Modularity is the future of banking — it allows organizations to innovate without risking system-wide disruption.
What’s your competitive edge?
European compliance, flexible architecture, and a faster go-live timeline. We also support deep customization without vendor lock-in.
What are your key differentiators vs. Thought Machine or Mambu?
Thought Machine is powerful but complex to implement. Mambu is excellent but not as modular. Tuum offers faster rollout with more granular module control.
Do you also support embedded finance?
Yes. We enable non-financial companies to launch financial products without becoming a bank — via our Banking-as-a-Service partners.
What trends are shaping your product roadmap?
Composable banking, AI in credit scoring and risk, cross-border finance, and real-time APIs.
What is your approach to data security?
End-to-end encryption, strict role-based access controls, and ISO 27001 compliance are built into our cloud stack.
What KPIs do you track?
Time to launch, client NPS, module usage, SLA performance, and infrastructure uptime.
What’s next for Tuum?
We’re releasing advanced lending orchestration, real-time treasury, and plug-and-play BNPL modules.
Are you planning to raise more funding?
We’re well capitalized post-Series A, but we’re always exploring strategic partnerships and capital for international growth.
Where do you see Tuum in 5 years?
As the go-to core for digital-first financial services across Europe and MENA — powering not just banks, but any brand launching finance.
Tuum’s Core Modules and Services
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Accounts Engine
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Payments Processing
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Lending Orchestration
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Card Management
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Deposit Products
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KYC/AML/Compliance
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General Ledger
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API Gateway & Developer Portal
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Analytics & Reporting
Competitive Positioning
| Company | Focus | Tuum vs. Competitor |
|---|---|---|
| Mambu | Cloud core banking | Tuum offers more modular flexibility |
| Thought Machine | Smart contracts core | Tuum is faster to deploy and simpler |
| 10x Banking | Large-tier bank core systems | Tuum fits better with mid-market and fintechs |
| Solaris | Full-stack BaaS | Tuum powers infrastructure, not regulated services |
Related Searches
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Tuum core banking
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Modular core banking Europe
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Composable banking solutions
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Kristjan Kaar interview
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Mambu competitors
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API-first core banking platforms
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Fintech infrastructure Estonia
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PSD2 compliant banking tech
FAQ
Is Tuum only for banks?
No. We support fintechs and enterprises offering embedded finance through our core modules and partners.
How long does implementation take?
Our average go-live is under 3 months, depending on the number of modules and integrations.
Can I use only a single module?
Yes. Our architecture allows you to deploy just lending, or just cards, etc., without the full stack.
Is Tuum BaaS?
No. We’re a technology provider, not a licensed entity. We integrate with BaaS players if needed.
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