Klarna has applied to U.S. federal and state regulators to establish a U.S. bank subsidiary. CNBC reported on July 6 that, if approved, Klarna would pursue setting up an FDIC-insured institution chartered in Utah called Klarna Bank USA.

The new bank is expected to be led by Gary Harding, who previously served as chief executive of Milestone Bank and Prime Alliance Bank. Co-founder and CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski (세바스티안 시에미아트코프스키) presented a bank charter of its own as the next step in expanding its U.S. business.

Klarna said that, if it obtains a licence, it could bring banking operations in-house and strengthen the stability of payments, credit and merchant services. It added that this would provide customers with responsible lending options and help build trust in financial services.

CNBC reported that the application is part of Klarna's move to broaden its business scope from a buy now, pay later-focused operator to a consumer bank. Klarna launched a high-interest savings account for U.S. customers last month, but that account is held by partner WebBank.

Klarna listed in September last year, and its shares are now trading at about half of the $40 IPO price.