Open Finance

Open Finance is the concept and practice of sharing financial data securely with third-party service providers through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). It builds upon Open Banking principles, aiming to broaden access to financial data beyond traditional banking products and services. This initiative emphasises consumer control over financial data, allowing secure sharing to obtain personalized services, better deals, and innovative financial solutions.

In comparison to Open Banking, Open Finance encompasses a wider range of financial products and services, including banking, investments, pensions, mortgages, loans, cryptocurrency and vehicle valuations.

History

The concept of Open Finance arose from the limitations of traditional financial data structures. Historically, financial data resided primarily within individual banks and institutions, creating data silos. This fragmented landscape hindered consumers' ability to manage their finances holistically and access a wider range of financial products and services.

In 2015, Open Banking was introduced in many regions with regulations like the European Union's Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) which played a pivotal role in paving the way for Open Finance.

PSD2 established a legal framework for secure data sharing within the banking sector, allowing authorised third-party providers (TPPs) to access customer account information with explicit consent. This led to the broader Open Finance concept in other countries.

Several factors contributed to the emergence of Open Finance:

• Limited Consumer Choice: Consumers were restricted to financial products and services offered by their primary bank or a limited set of institutions. Difficulty in aggregating financial data from various sources made it challenging to compare offerings and identify the most suitable options.
• Innovation Bottlenecks: The closed nature of financial data hampered innovation within the financial services industry. Fintech companies, for example, lacked access to the comprehensive data sets needed to develop new and disruptive financial products and services.
• Consumer Empowerment Movement: A growing emphasis on consumer data ownership and control fueled the demand for increased transparency and access to personal financial information.

Open Finance builds upon these Open Banking principles, aiming to break down data silos across the entire financial ecosystem. This broader access to financial data empowers consumers and fosters innovation within the financial services industry.

Evolution

As of 2020, the concept of Open Finance was still relatively nascent, with ongoing development and implementation efforts around the globe.

• Early Developments: The seeds of Open Finance were sown with the emergence of screen scraping technologies that allowed third-party applications to extract data from bank websites. However, these methods were often unreliable and insecure.
• Open Banking as a Precursor: The introduction of Open Banking regulations like PSD2 marked a significant step towards Open Finance. These regulations mandated open APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for data sharing within the banking sector.
• Expansion Beyond Banking: Recognising the potential benefits, policymakers and industry stakeholders began exploring ways to extend Open Banking principles to a wider range of financial products and services, thus giving rise to the concept of Open Finance.
• Current Stage: Open Finance is in various stages of development and implementation globally. Some regions, like the European Union, have established a proposed regulatory framework, while others are still in the early stages of exploration.

Open Finance encompasses a wider range of financial products and services, including:

• Savings
• Pensions
• Insurance
• Investments
• Mortgages
• Cryptocurrency

Use & regulatory framework

Australia

The Consumer Data Right (CDR) came into effect in July 2020, seen as a comprehensive open data reform, extending beyond Open Banking to encompass financial data (Open Finance), energy, and telecommunications sectors. It aims to empower consumers and small businesses by granting them greater control over their data and the ability to securely share it with accredited third-party providers (TPPs).

The CDR is designed to foster competition in the financial sector by enabling consumers to access better rates and customized services. This is achieved by mandating data sharing for major banks and other participants, who are also obliged to share data reciprocally upon request. The implementation has been phased, starting with transaction data for credit cards, bank accounts, and transaction accounts, and gradually expanding to include personal data, real estate, pensions, corporate finance, and investments.

Canada

Canada initiated its open finance efforts in 2018, with the government announcing a phased implementation of an open finance framework. The first phase is expected to include a wide range of consumer and SME accounts, including checking, savings, credit cards, and brokerage accounts. However, payment initiation will be incorporated in later phases. The government has appointed an open banking lead to collaborate with financial institutions and fintechs to design and implement the framework. Additionally, working groups have been established to address critical aspects such as privacy, security, third-party accreditation, and liability. This collaborative approach aims to create a secure and inclusive open finance ecosystem in Canada.

European Union (EU)

Regulatory landscape

Open Banking has gained significant traction in the EU, supported by robust regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2). GDPR ensures data privacy and gives individuals control over their personal data, while PSD2 mandates banks to open up their data to authorized third parties, laying the foundation for the expansion from Open Banking to Open Finance.

While Open Finance is still evolving, efforts are underway to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework in the EU. This framework aims to ensure secure and consensual data sharing practices, mirroring the core principles of Open Banking: protecting consumer data privacy, fostering innovation, promoting competition, and enhancing transparency. Even without formal regulations, numerous Open Finance initiatives are already underway, demonstrating the sector's potential to drive innovation and competition by utilizing open APIs to share a broad range of financial data.

The European Union's approach to open finance is guided by the Digital Finance Strategy. In June 2023, the European Commission published a proposal, the Financial Data Access (FIDA), which outlines the rules for accessing, sharing, and using customer data in financial services, covering areas like mortgages, loans, savings, investments, and pensions. The proposal, otherwise referred to as the "Open Finance Framework", aims to "establish clear rights and obligations to manage customer data sharing in the financial sector beyond payment accounts".

FIDA seeks to give customers control over their data and foster innovation and competition within the financial sector. The European Parliament broadly supports the proposal but has suggested modifications to strengthen customer trust, promote innovation, and enhance data protection. Additionally, revisions to the Payment Services Directive (PSD3) are in progress to improve open banking.

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has adopted a voluntary approach to Open Banking, encouraging the use of open APIs in the banking industry. The HKMA's Open API Framework recommends minimum security standards and architecture, but banks have the flexibility to choose their implementation methods. This approach aims to foster innovation and improve customer experience through collaboration between banks and technology companies.

Japan

In June 2018, Japan's revised Banking Act came into effect which mandates that banks implement open APIs, although the approach is voluntary. Banks have the freedom to adopt Open Banking but must adhere to specific rules if they do. The Japanese Bankers Association has designed a framework that sets broad principles for data exchange, allowing banks and third-party providers to negotiate and contract bilaterally.

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

Open Finance is gaining traction in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), with several countries making significant strides in developing regulatory frameworks and implementing open banking initiatives. This progress has the potential to expand financial inclusion, increase competition, and foster innovation in the region's financial sector.

Brazil

Brazil has been a leader in Open Finance in LAC, with its central bank establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework and actively promoting its adoption. In May 2022, the central bank introduced interoperability standards that enable seamless data sharing between financial institutions and SUSEP, the entity overseeing insurance and pension markets. This promotes standardized data exchange and fosters a more integrated financial ecosystem. The main objectives of Brazil's Open Finance initiative include enhancing financial inclusion, stimulating competition, promoting transparency, and improving financial education. To achieve these goals, Brazil has adopted a phased implementation approach, starting with the sharing of public information and gradually progressing towards open data on insurance, pensions, and investments.

Chile

In 2020, the Financial Portability Law simplified the transfer of financial services between providers. This was followed by the Interchange Rates Law in 2021, which aimed to increase competition by regulating payment card fees. The same year also saw the enactment of a transparency law that reinforced the responsibilities of market agents and improved consumer protection.

Building on this groundwork, Chile passed a comprehensive fintech law in 2022, which includes provisions for Open Finance. This law empowers the regulator to authorize the use of APIs for secure consumer information exchange, a significant step towards full Open Finance implementation. While formal Open Finance regulations are still pending, industry stakeholders like ABIF, BancoEstado, and FinteChile have proactively signed a voluntary framework agreement. This agreement establishes security standards, responsibilities, and access protocols for sharing financial consumer data through screen scraping, demonstrating a collaborative approach towards advancing Open Finance in the country.

Colombia

In July 2022, Colombia published Decree 1,297 outlining a voluntary framework for Open Finance and the development of standards for data sharing. The framework covers consumer data exchange, the administration of digital platforms and services, and payment initiation services. Several open finance platforms were already active in Colombia before the legal framework was established, thanks to existing laws that gave individuals control over their data sharing.

Ecuador

In December 2022, Ecuador enacted the fintech law, known as the Organic Law for the Development, Regulation, and Control of Technological Financial Services, which includes provisions for open banking services. The law defines different types of data within the financial services industry and mandates that the central bank implement arrangements for open banking services, including APIs for account information validation to facilitate interoperability with fintech companies.

Mexico

Mexico was the first country in the LAC region to issue regulations for financial data sharing through APIs. The country's fintech law, passed in 2018, laid the groundwork for open finance, and in 2020, the National Banking and Securities Commission published comprehensive rules for APIs. Open finance in Mexico is being implemented in phases, with a focus on financial inclusion and the standardization of data exchange processes.

Argentina

While Argentina has not yet established a specific Open Finance regulation, the Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA) has implemented several measures to encourage digital payments and promote interoperability. These measures include the introduction of Transferencias 3.0, a real-time digital payment system, and regulations that allow digital wallets to link to accounts from other financial institutions. These developments lay the groundwork for the future implementation of open finance in Argentina.

Singapore

Singapore has taken an industry-collaborative approach to Open Banking, with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) actively driving industry standards and frameworks. MAS has introduced an API registry and the API Exchange (APIX), an open architecture platform to promote innovation. Financial institutions can enter bilateral agreements with third-party providers, establishing conditions based on their risk assessments.

United Kingdom

Regulatory landscape

Similarly to the EU, Open Banking has gained traction in the UK, also supported by the GDPR and PSD2.

The UK is developing its open finance framework under the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. This bill will provide the legal basis for government and regulators to establish smart data schemes across various sectors, including financial services. However, several key issues are under discussion, such as commercial incentives for firms, ensuring compliance with Consumer Duty regulations, dispute resolution mechanisms, and the scope of data sharing. The government is also working on implementing pensions dashboards, which will enable individuals to view all their pension information in one place.

Implementation roadmap

In April 2024, the UK government launched an industry-led taskforce to unlock the full potential of open finance. Chaired by the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT), the taskforce aims to expand on the concept of open banking, allowing the secure sharing of a wider range of financial data. This initiative seeks to improve access to credit for SMEs and identify new use cases for open finance. The taskforce will prioritise which data sets should be unlocked and develop APIs to facilitate this process. It will also explore commercial incentives to encourage the safe sharing of financial data.

CFIT has also outlined a detailed roadmap for open finance implementation:

• 2024: Focus on regulatory framework, use case prioritization, and solutions for vulnerable customers.
• 2025: Develop standards, create a roadmap, explore commercial models, and develop SME-focused solutions.
• 2026: Roll out open finance, establish a data-sharing agreement, ensure sustainability, launch a future open banking entity, and foster industry capabilities.
• 2027 and beyond: Focus on future open banking innovation and sustainable commercial models for premium APIs.

Benefits

For consumers

Open Finance can significantly enhance consumer welfare by increasing access to suitable financial products. By allowing consumers to securely share a wider range of financial data, including payment history, savings, and investments, Open Finance enables alternative credit providers to offer more personalized and competitive products. This can result in lower borrowing costs, greater convenience in searching for financial products, and access to tailored loan options that better suit individual needs.

Open Finance is particularly beneficial for consumers with limited or "thin" credit histories. By giving lenders access to a more comprehensive view of a consumer's financial situation, it enables more accurate risk assessments and potentially more favorable credit decisions. Additionally, Open Finance can facilitate personalized financial advice and recommendations, empowering consumers to make informed choices about their financial products.

For micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)

Open Finance can address information asymmetry problems in the SME credit market, benefiting both borrowers and lenders. By providing lenders with access to a wider range of SME financial data, including transaction history, cash flow, and even non-financial data like online commercial activity or energy consumption, Open Finance can improve creditworthiness assessments, risk pricing, and the suitability of financial products.

For SMEs, this translates to increased access to credit, lower search costs, and a greater variety of financial products tailored to their specific needs. For instance, fintech firms and online platforms can offer more flexible financing options with longer maturities or greater risk-sharing features. Additionally, by enabling SMEs to share their data with multiple providers, Open Finance can foster competition, leading to lower borrowing costs and better terms.

For providers

Open Finance creates opportunities for financial service providers to innovate and develop new products and services. By accessing a wider range of customer data, providers can gain a deeper understanding of customer needs and preferences, allowing them to offer more personalized and targeted solutions.

Open Finance can also help financial institutions improve their operational efficiency and reduce costs. By leveraging data-driven insights, they can streamline processes, automate decision-making, and better allocate resources. Moreover, Open Finance can foster collaboration and partnerships between traditional financial institutions and fintech companies, combining the strengths of both to deliver innovative financial solutions.

Risks and criticism

Open Finance introduces several potential risks and challenges for both consumers and financial institutions:

Consumer risks

• Data Privacy and Security: Increased data sharing can expose consumers to privacy concerns and security risks. Data breaches or misuse by third-party providers could occur.
• Misuse of Data: Customer data may be used without sufficient consent or inappropriately due to the complex data-sharing chains involved in Open Finance. This can erode consumer trust.
• Financial Crime: Greater data sharing can make consumers more vulnerable to financial crimes like fraud and scams.
• Algorithmic Bias: Data-driven Open Finance services may be biased against certain customer profiles or lead to unfair pricing practices due to outdated or incomplete data. This could result in discrimination or exclusion.

Challenges for financial institutions

• Operational Challenges: Managing APIs, ensuring interoperability between systems, and handling increased cyber threats pose operational challenges for financial institutions.
• Competition: Open Finance could lead to unfair competition if some players have better access to data or bear unequal costs for setting up Open Finance systems.
• Market Structure Changes: Open Finance may fragment financial value chains and lead to new platform models, requiring financial institutions to adapt.

Implementation challenges

• Standardisation: A lack of standardised data formats and APIs can hinder interoperability within Open Finance ecosystems.
• Technical Challenges: Maintaining secure API infrastructure and managing connections with legacy systems present technical hurdles.
• Investment Costs: Setting up Open Finance systems requires investment in technology, data standardization, cybersecurity, and compliance. Determining cost-sharing models across participants is crucial.

See also

• Open banking