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Open Banking what is it? And why does it matter?

By June 9, 2023 December 13th, 2023 No Comments

Open Banking is a financial system that allows third-party providers to access customer financial data with their consent through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). This data can then be used to provide customers with financial services, such as budgeting tools, money transfer services, and loans. By increasing competition and innovation in the financial industry, Open Banking has the potential to revolutionize the way consumers interact with their banks. Bringing win-win opportunities to end users and financial institutions (FIs), Open Banking is here to stay. Let’s understand why this is. 

So how does Open Banking benefit end users? For a start Open Banking provides increased transparency and control over users’ finances, allowing them to more easily compare products and services from different vendors and find the best deal for them. It also introduces more convenient ways of managing finances since all data and accounts are stored in one place rather than being spread across multiple institutions. Additionally, it enables more advanced features like budgeting and savings tools, digital payments, short-term financing, and more. Ultimately, it allows users to get access to more competitive rates and personalized digital products.

What about FIs? Open Banking helps traditional banks in various ways. Firstly, it allows banks to access new customer segments and expand their reach, as well as provide them with the opportunity to develop new products and services. Secondly, it can also help to reduce costs and increase efficiency, as FIs can take advantage of new technologies to automate processes and reduce manual intervention. Finally, Open Banking can also help to improve the customer experience, as banks can provide customers with more personalized and relevant services, based on their financial data.

Creating business opportunities for all the parties involved, Open banking continues to evolve. The global market for Open Banking is estimated to reach $43 billion by 2023. This is largely driven by the increasing demand for digital payment solutions among consumers who are increasingly relying on mobile devices for everyday tasks. In addition, regulators around the world are increasingly pushing toward cashless societies as they recognize the potential benefits of a more efficient financial industry. As a result of this growing demand, many banks have already begun implementing Open Banking platforms in partnership with solution providers known as Open Banking enablers.  As the industry develops, the number of APIs integrated into financial systems is also expected to grow significantly over time as more companies recognize the value of these technologies. The global API management market size accounted for USD 5.37 billion in 2022 and it is expected to reach around USD 46.74 billion by 2030.

Open Banking has completely transformed the financial industry, revolutionizing banking with new possibilities for both financial institutions and end-users. A real game-changer, customers now enjoy greater control of their finances along with increased convenience through automated processes enabled by APIs. Europe is paving the way forward in terms of creating an open ecosystem based on cross-industry data-sharing protocols. As Open Banking continues to expand, we should expect even more innovation in the years ahead – particularly in Latin America where Open Banking gaining momentum.! What’s more – all indications point towards further transformation as this trend continues to develop over time! The future looks incredibly exciting; one thing’s certain: it’s going to be a truly fascinating journey ahead. Get ready for an open future.