How Does MANTL Compare to Fintech-as-a-Service Platforms?
MANTL focuses on digital account origination and deposit growth for banks and credit unions, while Fintech-as-a-Service (FaaS) platforms provide embedded banking capabilities for brands that do not want to be a bank. Use this guide to understand where they overlap, where they differ, and which model fits your roadmap.
In simple terms, MANTL is built for regulated institutions that want to grow deposits and accounts on their own charter, while Fintech-as-a-Service platforms are built for brands that want to embed banking products without becoming a bank. MANTL typically plugs into your core, CRM, and marketing stack to improve digital account opening, funding, and onboarding. FaaS platforms bundle bank partners, compliance frameworks, and APIs so non-banks can launch cards, accounts, and payments under another institution’s license. Your choice depends on whether you are the bank (and need deeper control) or you need “banking in a box” for a non-bank experience.
Where MANTL and Fintech-as-a-Service Overlap and Diverge
How to Decide Between MANTL and Fintech-as-a-Service
Start with your charter strategy, target customers, and channels. Then evaluate how much you want to own the banking stack versus orchestrate embedded experiences through partners and APIs.
Clarify → Compare → Architect → Operationalize → Optimize
- Clarify your role: Are you a bank or credit union growing deposits on your own charter, or a non-bank brand embedding financial products into an existing experience?
- Compare value propositions: Map how MANTL improves conversion, funding, and onboarding for your institution versus how FaaS expands product breadth and distribution through partners.
- Architect the stack: Decide whether to center on core integration + account origination (MANTL-style) or API-first product building blocks (FaaS) that may sit outside your core.
- Operationalize compliance: Define how KYC, AML, fraud, disclosures, and complaints will be shared across the bank, any FaaS provider, and partners. Align SLAs and auditability.
- Optimize for growth: Measure approval, funding, activation, and engagement across flows. Use marketing, product, and RevOps teams to tune campaigns, journeys, and offers by channel.
MANTL vs Fintech-as-a-Service Comparison Matrix
| Dimension | MANTL-Like Approach | Fintech-as-a-Service Platform | Primary Owner | Key KPIs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Digital account opening and deposit growth for banks and credit unions. | Embedded accounts, cards, and payments for non-bank brands. | Product & Digital Banking | Funded accounts, digital originations, deposit growth |
| Charter & Regulatory Role | Institution holds charter, owns compliance and risk. | Sponsor bank holds charter; brand operates under shared controls. | Compliance, Risk, Legal | Audit findings, loss rates, program approvals |
| Integration Pattern | Deep integration with core, KYC, funding, and servicing systems. | API integration to platform; core is often abstracted behind the FaaS provider. | Technology / Architecture | Time-to-implement, API reliability, maintenance cost |
| Customer Experience | Optimized flows for your branded web and mobile channels. | Embedded flows inside third-party or brand-owned experiences. | CX / UX / Marketing | Conversion rate, abandonment, NPS |
| Monetization Model | Interest margin, fee income, and long-term customer value on your books. | Shared economics via interchange, fees, and platform pricing. | Finance & Strategy | Unit economics, CAC, LTV, payback |
| Change Management | More internal alignment across operations, branches, compliance. | More partner management and shared roadmap planning. | Transformation / RevOps | Time-to-launch, SLA adherence, partner satisfaction |
Snapshot: When a Bank Chooses MANTL Over FaaS
A regional bank deciding between modernizing its own digital storefront or launching an embedded offering through partners weighed two paths: invest in account origination and deposit growth on its own charter, or build a new embedded program via FaaS. By prioritizing control over pricing, disclosures, and lifecycle marketing, the bank focused on its own digital channels first—then explored selective FaaS partnerships where embedded distribution added incremental value.
In many roadmaps, MANTL-style modernization and FaaS are complementary: first strengthen digital acquisition and onboarding on your own channels, then extend selected products or experiences through partners using embedded finance.
Frequently Asked Questions: MANTL vs Fintech-as-a-Service
Align Your Growth Strategy with the Right Banking Model
Whether you modernize digital account opening, launch embedded programs, or do both, we’ll help you connect technology, compliance, and revenue marketing so every initiative drives measurable growth.
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