Embedded finance is the seamless integration of financial services into non-financial platforms, enabling businesses to offer financial products without becoming financial institutions themselves.
Financial service providers create digital functionality for businesses to embed payments, lending, or insurance directly into their platforms, improving convenience and reducing transaction friction, resulting in enhanced user experiences.
Industries across retail, SaaS, and the gig economy applications are leveraging embedded finance solutions to unlock new revenue streams and provide greater value to customers that traditional banking may not be able to offer. Adoption is not slowing down by any means, in fact by 2030, the European embedded finance market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of €13.5 billion. Fintechs are ensuring this growth is made possible through APIs and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) providers, which allow businesses to integrate financial solutions without the need to build complex banking infrastructure from scratch.
This article explores the basics of embedded finance, including its components, benefits, and applications across industries. We’ll discuss how APIs and BaaS providers enable financial integration, the challenges businesses may face, and future trends shaping the financial landscape.
Embedded finance is the seamless integration of financial services into non-financial platforms, enabling businesses to offer banking-like services, payment, lending, or insurance products without becoming financial institutions themselves. Rather than redirecting customers to external providers, these services are woven directly into the customer journey - whether that's completing a purchase, accessing credit, or securing insurance coverage.
Learn more about embedded finance and how it's transforming digital commerce
Embedded finance operates through partnerships between non-financial businesses, fintech providers, and regulated financial institutions. At its core, the process relies on APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that connect platforms to financial infrastructure, enabling them to offer services like payments, lending, or insurance directly within their ecosystem.
Here's how the process typically unfolds:
Partnership formation: A business partners with a fintech company - like Edenred Payment Solutions - or BaaS provider that holds the necessary licenses and regulatory approvals to offer financial services.
API integration: The business integrates financial functionality into its platform using APIs, which act as the bridge between the user interface and the underlying financial infrastructure.
Seamless user experience: Customers access financial services - such as making a payment, applying for credit, or purchasing insurance - without leaving the platform or being redirected to third-party sites.
Behind-the-scenes processing: The fintech or BaaS provider handles compliance, risk management, and transaction processing, while the business maintains control over the customer relationship and user experience.
This model allows businesses to focus on their core offerings while providing comprehensive financial solutions that enhance customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth.
Discover how embedded finance APIs work and what they enable for businesses
Embedded payments integrate payment processing directly into platforms, allowing seamless experience at the point-of-sale without redirecting users to third-party processors. This reduces checkout friction, improves conversion rates, and streamlines financial operations.
Use Cases:
How Edenred Payment Solutions helps
Edenred Payment Solutions provides customisable embedded payment solutions tailored to complex business payment ecosystems. Companies can control business expenses more effectively and manage employee transactions with ease.
Embedded lending allows platforms to offer credit at the point of purchase, enabling users to access flexible payment methodsseamlessly. This includes Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options, instalment payments, and business lending solutions.
Example:
How Edenred Payment Solutions helps
Edenred Payment Solutions enables businesses to offer embedded POS alternative financing options through its advanced core payments technology, ensuring seamless integration into existing payment flows.
Embedded insurance integrates coverage options directly into platforms, allowing users to purchase policies at the point of need. This enhances customer trust and generates additional revenue for businesses.
Example:
Benefits for businesses:
Embedded finance reduces friction in transactions, making payments, lending, financing, and insurance more accessible.
Businesses have multiple opportunities to generate additional income by integrating financial services into their offerings:
These strategies not only create new revenue streams but also enhance customer loyalty by delivering integrated, seamless financial solutions.
Embedding financial services within a platform enhances customer stickiness and encourages repeat usage.
By integrating payments, lending, financing, and insurance directly into their platforms, companies can enhance customer experience, unlock new revenue streams, and improve retention.
For businesses looking to scale and innovate, solutions like Edenred Payment Solutions provide the technology and expertise to seamlessly integrate embedded finance into existing operations. As the financial landscape evolves, staying ahead with embedded finance is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.
We provide solutions that deliver tailored embedded financial services that enhance both operational efficiency and customer engagement. By leveraging our expertise, businesses can provide innovative payment options, streamline transactions, and create a more cohesive user experience.
Our bespoke solutions are designed to meet the specific needs of your business, ensuring a perfect fit for your business ecosystem.
Get in touch with our experts and let them help you explore how we can easily integrate one or more financial products within your platform.