The financial services industry is undergoing a significant transformation due to the emergence of open banking. With the highest adoption rates in Europe, open banking is rapidly gaining traction worldwide. As more countries embrace open banking, we can expect to witness substantial changes in how financial data is shared and used. In this article, we will delve into the key open banking trends for 2024, providing you with insights that will help you stay ahead in this evolving landscape.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Open Banking Gaining Momentum
- A2A Payments and Digital Wallet Integrations
- AI Integration in Open Banking
- Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)
- Variable Recurring Payments (VRP)
- Cybersecurity
- Conclusion
Open Banking Gaining Momentum
The European Union (EU) has been at the forefront of driving forward-thinking regulatory frameworks for open banking, with legislation such as the Payment Services Directive 3 (PSD3). This regulatory push aims to foster innovation across the European financial sector. However, other crucial markets like South America, South-East Asia and Australia are also showing encouraging signs of adoption, albeit at a slower pace.
Despite the growing momentum, open banking regulation and adoption vary across different regions, creating complex compliance and software implementation landscapes for businesses. Proprietary payment networks, such as those offered by Brite in Europe, play a vital role in overcoming market-specific adoption barriers and enabling businesses to leverage open banking innovations within connected networks.
A2A Payments and Digital Wallet Integrations
Account-to-account (A2A) payments, powered by open banking, are set to become increasingly available to end consumers through digital wallet integrations like Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Stripe. Digital wallets already play a pivotal role in facilitating swift and transparent transactions among businesses, employees, partners, and consumers. The integration of open banking payments within digital wallets opens up new opportunities for seamless transactions and enhanced user experiences.
For instance, Apple recently launched an open banking payment integration in the UK market, and over the next two years, 75% of payment service providers and independent software vendors plan on implementing instant A2A payments within their platforms. This integration will enable users to make secure and convenient payments directly from their digital wallets.
AI Integration in Open Banking
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer in various industries, and 2024 will see open banking businesses taking further steps to incorporate AI technology. By leveraging customer-facing AI systems, open banking settings can drive innovation and improve user experiences. Third parties with secure access to consumers' transaction data can provide value-added informational services, such as tailored product or service recommendations to improve financial well-being.
A notable advantage of AI in open banking is the ability to offer personalized experiences based on real spending patterns. Banks and other third parties can utilize account initiation service (AIS) for native affordability checks, providing customers with tailored recommendations based on their financial capabilities.
Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) Expansion
Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) is revolutionizing the financial services value chain and is a key trend in open banking. Built on open APIs, the BaaS business model enables financial institutions to share customer data and seamlessly incorporate new services. For example, a recent survey found that 38% of consumers consider solutions like Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) as a result of BaaS integration. This payment method, popular among Millennials, offers ease of use and the ability to spread payments, which is particularly appealing in a high-interest rate environment.
As interest rates remain high, BaaS providers will need to leverage consumer data to adapt to the challenges ahead. The integration of consumer data within the BaaS model enables financial institutions to tailor their services and offerings to meet the evolving needs of their customers.
Impact of Variable Recurring Payments (VRP)
Variable recurring payments (VRP) is an open banking initiative being rolled out in the UK. This scheme aims to give consumers more control over their subscriptions and payment limits. Users will be able to view ongoing payment parameters and modify or cancel them up to the point of payment, providing greater flexibility and transparency.
The UK is one of the most mature markets for open banking payments, with payments doubling to 68 million in 2022 alone. This makes VRPs a promising trend in open banking, with similar schemes likely to expand across Europe and other regions in the coming years.
Cybersecurity
As financial fraud continues to be a critical problem globally, consumers and businesses are seeking better cybersecurity solutions in their financial services. Open banking offers a timely solution by minimizing fraud risks through instant account-to-account payments. Robust network security systems, zero-trust security protocols, and user authentication during each transaction help merchants and customers enhance their defense against fraudulent activities.
Conclusion
Open banking is reshaping the financial services industry, and staying ahead of the emerging trends is crucial for businesses and consumers alike. As open banking matures, we can expect to witness further advancements in A2A payments, digital wallet integrations, AI enhancements, BaaS expansion, VRP impact, and cybersecurity measures. Understanding and embracing these trends will enable businesses to adapt and thrive in the evolving landscape of open banking.
