More consumers are relying on digital payments to manage their daily purchases. In 2020, the digital payments market recorded a global transaction value of $8,487.9 billion, making it the biggest segment within the fintech landscape.

The numbers underscore the significant profit potential within the industry. With the right strategy, fintech businesses ideas can boost their earnings and get more paying customers. To help in this effort, we outline the trends that will reshape the industry this year. These trends can inform the development of new profit strategies that provide entrepreneurs with unprecedented value.

Streamlined Global Payment Transfers

There is a global shift toward instantaneous payment systems marked by the growing number of payment schemes adopting this new efficient approach. Moreover, some platforms surpass national boundaries, enabling international instant cross-border payments. This trend is poised to help fintech businesses decrease costs and elevate the efficiency of financial technology systems worldwide.

The escalating involvement of banks in instant payment networks also holds the promise of providing consumers with a more streamlined and effective payment experience. 

A prime example of this change is the global expansion of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) Global Payments Innovation (GPI). SWIFT GPI is an initiative designed to help financial institutions send and receive funds instantly to anyone, anywhere in the world, with full transparency. 

The suite of cloud-based tools for business enables end-users to perform cross-border payments on a global scale with heightened transparency and efficiency.

Another example is Wise, a solution that plays a significant role in simplifying global transfers. This digital payments platform offers tracking methods that alleviate the stress of transferring money abroad, mainly when dealing with unfamiliar banking systems in foreign countries.

With a heightened focus on customer demand, scalability, and automation, the fintech market is on the verge of experiencing increased diversity and stimulation. This trend may introduce a plethora of new solutions designed for individual and enterprise use. 

Personalized Financial Advice

Personalization is crucial to the human-centric framework building the future of the industry. By providing personalized financial advice and recommendations, fintech businesses can boost customer satisfaction. 

This trend is evident in the growing prominence of robo-advisors and AI-based financial planning apps and platforms. The continued engagement of clients through the platforms is a direct result of the effective curation of the client journey.

AI-driven personalization can be critical when providing tailored financial solutions. Fintech companies are using AI tools to analyze vast amounts of data and offer personalized offerings to clients. These tools help modem businesses enhance client experiences and detect potential frauds.

This level of technical expertise is essential, especially for fintech companies aiming to remain competitive and relevant.

Reliance on Automation Solutions

Artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered widespread attention across various industries in recent years. The global AI market size reached a $150.2 billion valuation in 2023 and could grow at a CAGR of 36.8 percent until 2030. The numbers highlight the increasing popularity of automation technologies in the fintech market and across different enterprises.

The rapid adoption of automation solutions led to a significant surge in digital payments. The increased efficiency brought by digital tools contributed to the success of pivotal players in the fintech sector.

However, the impact of AI extends beyond its influence on payment processes. The introduction of generative AI tools for business revolutionized the fintech industry but has also left a lasting imprint on various other sectors. 

Recent advancements in generative AI technologies have made the solutions accessible not only to data scientists but to anyone.

Now that generative AI capabilities are more accessible, leaders in the fintech industry should anticipate the prominent role of large language models (LLMs) in improving productivity. These models are expected to streamline time-consuming tasks, like developing corporate content materials or generating code.

Moreover, AI is pivotal in automating certain back-office operations, streamlining processes, and elevating operational efficiency for fintech companies. By automating routine and time-consuming tasks, AI enables human resources to redirect their focus toward more strategic and complex tasks. 

This advantage results in reduced operational costs and mitigates the likelihood of errors, improving the precision and integrity of financial data. 

AI is becoming a transformative force for modern businesses. It enables fintech enterprises to operate efficiently, provide innovative and personalized financial services, and make informed data-driven decisions.

Rise of Digital-Only Banks

While digital banking is not an entirely new concept in the fintech landscape, its popularity is noticeably on the rise. Today, online access to banking operations is deemed essential. Unfortunately, digital banks have been confined to a niche sector due to persistent scalability issues, security concerns, and other considerations. 

That said, online-only banks come with crucial advantages that make them appealing to modern consumers, especially younger customers. 

Traditional banking still hinges on physical visits to finance institutions, requiring manual operations even when certain aspects are accessible online. In contrast, digital-only banks operate exclusively through digital channels.

Some digital banks also allow clients to open high-interest savings accounts online, which can be attractive to younger savers who appreciate the convenience of doing everything online.

However, digital banks are rarely used as primary bank accounts. Instead, they serve as a convenient tool offering functionalities not typically provided by traditional banks. 

Fintech banks frequently extend their services to include hybrid banking options and financial management apps. This advantage lets users track all financial operations in real-time with immediate notifications. Digital banks also offer the following features and services:

• Card blocking and unblocking
• Cashback for online payments
• Budget splitting
• Spending reports

While the trajectory of digital-only banking appears to be the way forward, there are lingering challenges that demand attention. Security concerns permeate every industry undergoing digital transformation in banking.

In the realm of finance, these concerns are magnified. Even the most successful fintech businesses know that digital banking necessitates heightened security measures, presenting a dilemma with limited solutions for online banks. 

Digital banks implement two-factor authentication, real-time notifications, and advanced app security to address these issues.

Widespread Adoption of Sustainable Practices

Sustainability has recently evolved into a somewhat overused catchphrase, especially with the fintech industry jumping on the bandwagon of the sustainable living trend. 

Nevertheless, non-government and government organizations are compelling banks and other fintech companies to reveal their environmental friendliness through various directives. 

For example, the European Commission announced the Corporate Sustainability Reporting directive to encourage businesses to become more environmentally conscious. Meanwhile, in 2023, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) required companies to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities.

Fintech firms and banks are also actively reducing their environmental impact, with some promising to achieve carbon neutrality and waste reduction. These institutions use advanced monitoring and reporting tools to ensure each project provides dependable and lasting environmental impact, strengthens biodiversity, and helps local communities. 

The future for the fintech sector can be promising. Key industry players are demonstrating an insatiable appetite for innovative financial solutions, and there is vast growth potential.

The key to success still lies in unwavering regulatory adherence and a customer-centric approach. With these two concepts in mind, fintech businesses can adapt and skillfully navigate the complexities of this year’s trends.