FinTech strategies. How do FinTech start-ups position themselves in the banking sector?

Abstract or Introduction

The goal of this thesis is to analyse the strategies of FinTechs. The paper should give an orientation on how FinTechs position themselves in the traditional banking sector. This is done with help of a case study. For this purpose, the decisive developments, and drivers of the FinTech industry will be described first after a narrowing of the term FinTech and its subcategories.

In the case study, the environment of Bank N26 is first examined using a PESTEL analysis. Based on the insights gained, the strengths and weaknesses of the online bank are adapted using a SWOT3 analysis. Finally, the evaluation and recommendation include the formulation of Strategic Fields of Action for Bank N26. Since a more detailed discussion of implementation would go beyond the scope of this text, the work concentrates exclusively on the strategically relevant factors and makes only concrete recommendations for strategy orientation but not for implementation.

In recent years, the FinTech industry has been able to collect considerable Investments. While the number of newly founded FinTech Start-Ups is decreasing, especially FinTech companies from the Banking Sector FinTech can collect large sums in the later funding rounds. In absolute terms, the USA dominates both operationally and in total investments. The UK also plays a major role in the European environment. Technology has been adopted by the banks at a very early stage in the electronic markets, but the impression arises that young FinTech Start-Ups often reach the end customer better and satisfy needs more efficiently. For established financial companies, the question is how they can respond to changing user behaviour and how they can interact with these new market participants. FinTech Start-Ups, contrary, face the challenge of differentiating themselves from existing business models.