In the current digital age, the banking and financial services industry has undergone a significant transformation with the advent of new technologies and innovations. One such development is the emergence of digital banking architecture, which refers to the technical infrastructure that supports the delivery of banking and financial services through digital channels.
This digital banking architecture enables financial institutions to provide customers with a wide range of services, such as account management, transactions, and digital payments.
The demand for digital banking services is on the rise. With a study made by Juniper Research, it is estimated that global digital banking users will reach 3.6 billion by 2024.
Additionally, the global market for financial services is predicted to reach US Dollars 37343.95 billion by 2026, according to the Financial Services Global Market Report 2022, demonstrating the significant growth and need for fintech software in the industry.
In this blog you will get an overview of building a digital banking architecture and highlight of the key considerations that need to be taken into account while building digital banking software.
Types of digital banking architecture
Digital banking architecture can be broadly classified into three main types:
- Client-server
- Peer-to-peer
- Distributed systems
Client-server architecture
Client-server architecture is the most traditional and widely used type of digital banking architecture. The server is responsible for processing and storing customer data, as well as handling transactions and other banking operations.
In this architecture, the client, such as a web browser or mobile application, communicates with a central server to access and manage banking services. Plus, it also provides a high level of security and control.
Peer-to-peer architecture
Peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture is based on the decentralized model of distributed systems. In it, each peer (participant), acts as both a client and a server, allowing for direct communication and transactions without the need for a central server.
There are several peer-to-peer payment app working on this architecture. Some of the example of peer to peer app are PayPal, Google Wallet, Snapcash, Venmo, etc.
Read more: A complete guide to peer-to-peer payment app development
Distributed system architecture
Distributed systems architecture combines the best features of client-server and P2P architecture. In this architecture, the system is composed of multiple servers and clients that are distributed across different locations and connected through a network.
This architecture can provide high scalability, security, and availability, but it also requires advanced technologies and expertise to implement and maintain.
Each of these architecture types has its own advantages and disadvantages and should be carefully evaluated based on the specific requirements and goals of financial software development.
Considerations for building fintech software
When going for a fintech software development, several key considerations need to be taken into account to ensure the success and effectiveness of the digital banking architecture.
Security and Compliance
First and foremost, security and compliance are crucial factors that must be addressed in software development to protect customer data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
This includes implementing robust security measures such as encryption, two-factor authentication, and regular security audits to safeguard against data breaches and cyber threats.
Additionally, it is essential to comply with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) to ensure legal and regulatory compliance and maintain cybersecurity irrespective of its challenges.
Read more: How to overcome cybersecurity challenges in fintech to maintain financial data security
Scalability
Scalability is another important consideration, for the development of digital banking architecture - that should be able to handle a large number of users and transactions without performance degradation. This requires careful planning and design of the system architecture, as well as the use of scalable technologies and infrastructure.
Integration
Integration is also a key factor to consider, as the digital banking architecture must be able to seamlessly integrate with other systems and platforms, such as payment processors, accounting systems, and mobile devices. This enables financial institutions to offer a wide range of services and capabilities to customers and improve the overall user experience.
User experience
Finally, user experience is a crucial aspect of building fintech software. The digital banking architecture must be intuitive and easy to use for customers. Plus, It should be a seamless and streamlined user interface that provides quick and easy access to banking services.
This includes designing and developing a mobile-first approach, as well as providing real-time access to account information and transactions for making the experience user-friendly and smooth.
In short, building a successful fintech software requires a thorough understanding of digital banking architecture and the ability to address key considerations such as security and compliance, scalability, integration, and user experience.
Did you know?
The global fintech market in 2016 was valued at $2767.01 Billion and is expected to reach $31,503.54 Billion at a CAGR of 27.5% from 2016 to 2026. (Research and Markets)
Case studies and examples
Case studies and examples of digital banking architecture can provide valuable insights and inspiration for those looking to create a fintech app or fintech software.
BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria)
One well-known example of the digital banking architecture is BBVA (Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria), a multinational Spanish bank. BBVA has implemented a distributed systems architecture, which enables them to offer a wide range of digital banking services to customers through a highly scalable and secure infrastructure.
Additionally, BBVA has also integrated various third-party systems and platforms, such as payment processors and accounting systems, to provide customers with a seamless and comprehensive banking experience.
Monzo
Another example is Monzo, a UK-based digital bank. Monzo has adopted a microservices architecture, which enables them to quickly and easily add new features and services to their platform.
By breaking down the system into small, independently deployable services, Monzo can provide a highly scalable and flexible digital banking experience for customers.
PayPal
Third and the last example is PayPal - A leading global digital payments platform. It has implemented a client-server architecture to make the platform highly secure and reliable and provide seamless digital payments and financial services to each of its users.
Additionally, PayPal has also integrated various third-party systems and platforms, such as e-commerce platforms and mobile devices, ensuring convenient digital banking experience.
These case studies provide a glimpse into how different companies have approached digital banking architecture and how they have leveraged it to deliver innovative and convenient financial services to customers.
These examples can be of great value for anyone looking to build fintech software and who wants to get an insight into the best practices and real-world examples.
Conclusion
In conclusion, building fintech software requires careful consideration of security and compliance, scalability, integration, and user experience. Customer taste is changing constantly and so the demand for digital banking services is increasing. This constant change is making fintech companies and startups leverage digital banking architecture to deliver innovative and convenient financial services to customers.
If you are looking for a reliable and experienced custom software development service provider in fintech, Peerbits can help you navigate the complexities of digital banking architecture and build a robust and secure fintech solution that meets your specific business requirements and goals.
