In a new statement of defence, the data aggregator argued the $5.7-million lawsuit filed by the Montreal bank and its subsidiary Flinks in December against two co-founders who left Flinks to start Deck is part of “a strategy of intimidation” designed to deter investors and harm their reputation. Deck asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit and to order the plaintiffs to pay $60,000 plus interest in legal fees. (The Logic)

Talking point: Deck shot back at National Bank’s claim that the startup, which promises to let “customers connect to any web account in seconds,” is violating a non-compete agreement its co-founders signed after the lender acquired a majority stake in Flinks in 2021. In an interview, Deck CEO Yves-Gabriel Leboeuf said Flinks is focused on connecting fintech apps to bank accounts, while Deck is building AI agents to solve different problems, such as rescheduling appointments or changing an address on a Netflix account. National Bank spokesperson Merick Seguin said the lender disagrees with the claims in the statement of defence, but will not make additional comments because the matter is before the court.