Birmingham · Challenger banks
Software and system testing for challenger banks in Birmingham
In short
Forth Systems is an Edinburgh-based software, system testing and AI partner working with challenger banks in Birmingham and across England. Birmingham hosts HSBC's UK head office, major insurance operations and a strong public-sector presence. For challenger banks, scaling regulated operations on a stack built for 10x fewer customers. We work across Mambu, Thought Machine, ClearBank or hand-rolled ledgers stitched together with fintech vendors — and deliver faster releases, fewer production incidents and a defendable control environment.
Why challenger banks in Birmingham work with Forth
Birmingham hosts HSBC's UK head office, major insurance operations and a strong public-sector presence. For challenger banks, scaling regulated operations on a stack built for 10x fewer customers. We're a small, senior, UK-staffed team — engagements are run by named engineers with regulated-environment fluency, not an offshore pool.
What we deliver for challenger banks
Independent system testing (UAT, SIT, regression, payments and Open Banking conformance), integration work across Mambu, Thought Machine, ClearBank or hand-rolled ledgers stitched together with fintech vendors, legacy modernisation, AI integration and platform engineering. Onsite in Birmingham when the engagement demands it; remote-first otherwise.
Outcomes challenger banks clients see
Engagements typically deliver faster releases, fewer production incidents and a defendable control environment. Every output is version-controlled, evidence-ready and mapped to the FCA, PRA, DORA, ISO 27001 or sector-specific controls that apply.
How a Birmingham engagement runs
Step 1: a fixed-scope, paid discovery against a real challenger banks workload. Step 2: a 30-day pilot that ships measurable change. Step 3: a continuation engagement with named engineers, monthly reporting and a clear renewal point. No long contracts before evidence.
Why a UK-onshore partner matters for challenger banks
Second-line and regulators increasingly want clarity on who staffs critical work, where data sits and how vendor risk is controlled. We're UK-incorporated, UK-staffed and set up for DPAs, supplier security questionnaires, third-party risk assessments and Crown Commercial DPS engagement.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work with challenger banks based in Birmingham?
Yes — most of our work is delivered into FCA-regulated and infrastructure firms, including challenger banks based in Birmingham and elsewhere in England. Anonymised case studies are available on request.
Can you be onsite in Birmingham?
Yes. Forth Systems is Edinburgh-headquartered with named engineers onsite in Birmingham where the engagement requires it. Remote-first otherwise, with the same governance either way.
What regulatory frameworks do you cover for challenger banks?
Our delivery to challenger banks maps to FCA, PRA, DORA, Consumer Duty, SS2/21 and ISO 27001 evidence requirements where they apply, with traceable test scenarios and audit-ready evidence packs.
How fast can you start an engagement in Birmingham?
Most engagements start within 2-4 weeks of a signed SoW, with onsite presence in Birmingham arranged within the same window when required. Faster where an existing supplier framework is in place.