It defies all logic. The remarkable little online start-up, known for its trendy orange and black cards, was kneecapped by curatorship only six months after its launch. Its backer, Saambou, disintegrated unexpectedly early last year, amid acrimony over risk management and scandal over fraud and insider trading allegations.

Almost 18 months later, 20twenty is still casting about for a white knight, since none of the big four banks are interested in complicating their own online efforts.