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Embedded Finance: Changing the landscape of Financial Industry

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In today’s tech-driven world, customers expect timely, effortless, and seamless access to services—especially when it comes to financial transactions. As a result, businesses across sectors are racing to bring financial products right to the fingertips of users. This presents a transformative opportunity for fintech companies to deliver next-generation, easy-to-use, and agile technology solutions.

The Rise of Embedded Finance

One of the most significant shifts in the fintech landscape today is the rise of embedded finance—a concept that has gained rapid momentum, especially following the surge in digital adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic. With more users turning to mobile-first platforms, customer engagement with financial tools integrated within everyday apps has seen exponential growth.

What is Embedded Finance?

Embedded finance, also known as embedded banking, refers to the seamless integration of financial services—such as payments, lending, insurance, or investments—into non-financial digital platforms. Instead of redirecting users to external banking systems, embedded finance enables them to access financial services directly within the apps they already use.

For example, platforms like Ola have integrated wallet services and postpaid payment options within their ride-booking app—offering both convenience and a personalized experience.

By adopting embedded finance, businesses can:

  • Increase customer loyalty

  • Expand their user base

  • Enhance product offerings

  • Unlock new revenue streams

To tap into this model, companies must explore partnerships with fintech infrastructure providers that offer the technical backend—such as APIs and SDKs—to enable these services at a reduced time-to-market and lower operational cost.

Why Embedded Finance Matters for Businesses

In today’s customer-first economy, embedded finance gives businesses a competitive edge by addressing a long-standing gap: the disconnect between consumer needs and available services. By eliminating intermediaries and enabling direct-to-customer financial solutions, embedded finance is reshaping the traditional distribution of financial services.

This model not only increases efficiency and customer satisfaction but also opens new monetization opportunities for non-financial businesses.

Key Use Cases of Embedded Finance

1. Embedded Payments

Embedded payments allow customers to make transactions within an app, without switching platforms. Think of Ola Wallet or Amazon Pay—users can seamlessly pay for services or products without leaving the app or needing physical cash.

2. Embedded Lending

This refers to credit offerings integrated into non-financial platforms. For instance, users shopping for appliances on e-commerce apps can instantly convert payments into EMIs during checkout—making big-ticket purchases more accessible.

3. Embedded Insurance

Embedded insurance bundles relevant insurance products during the purchase journey. Car-buying platforms often offer integrated insurance options in collaboration with third-party providers, simplifying the process for end users.

4. Embedded Investments

Through API integrations with brokerage firms, platforms can offer micro-investing, portfolio management, and trading services. This allows users to invest in mutual funds or stocks directly from their go-to apps, without the need for a separate trading account setup.

Who Powers the Embedded Finance Ecosystem?

The embedded finance ecosystem thrives on collaboration between three primary players:

Embedded Finance Ecosystem

1. Digital Platforms

These are customer-facing apps or portals—such as e-commerce, ride-hailing, or travel platforms—that understand user needs and behaviors.

2. Financial Institutions

Banks, NBFCs, and other regulated entities provide the actual financial services, along with regulatory oversight and compliance management.

3. Embedded Finance Infrastructure Providers

These fintech enablers act as the bridge between platforms and institutions, offering the tech stack (APIs, SDKs, plug-and-play software) to integrate financial features seamlessly.

The Role of UPI and BaaS in India’s Embedded Finance Growth

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has revolutionized digital payments, making it easier for tech-driven businesses to offer payment services. Building on this momentum, many financial institutions now provide Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS)—bundled, co-branded, or white-labelled financial services that allow non-banks to serve their customers more efficiently.

This shift is fueling a new era of innovation, where every business—whether a retailer, mobility provider, or aggregator—can become a fintech player.

Final Thoughts

Embedded finance is not just a trend—it’s a paradigm shift. By embedding financial products into digital platforms, businesses can create intuitive user journeys, boost engagement, and build long-term loyalty. As the financial services landscape continues to evolve, embracing embedded finance will be key to staying ahead in the digital economy.

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