Fintech: how young people are disrupting traditional banking
The digital revolution is transforming every sector, and finance is no exception. Leading this transformation are young people — a connected and innovative generation — who are reshaping the rules of banking through fintech. But what exactly does this term mean, and how are young people the driving force behind this shift?
Understanding fintech: a crossroads between finance and technology
The word “fintech” is a contraction of “finance” and “technology.” It refers to all companies and services that use new technologies to reinvent financial services: payments, loans, savings management, investments, insurance, and more. Say goodbye to traditional bank branches and bureaucratic delays — fintechs offer fully digital, fast, often cheaper solutions focused on user experience.
From instant mobile payment apps like Lydia or Revolut to accessible trading platforms like eToro, the examples are numerous. They all speak the language of a generation that grew up with a smartphone in hand.
Young people: first users and first creators
It’s no coincidence that fintechs primarily target 18-35-year-olds. This age group is more open to testing new tools, trusting digital solutions, and challenging legacy systems. For them, it’s natural to open an account online, apply for a loan in a few clicks, or manage investments through an app.
But young people aren’t just consumers — they’re also at the heart of fintech creation. Graduates of engineering or business schools, self-taught individuals, freelancers, or serial entrepreneurs — they exploit the flaws of traditional banking models to propose more agile, inclusive, and relevant alternatives.
New values from a new generation
What also sets this new wave of fintechs apart is the set of values they promote. Transparency, accessibility, social responsibility, environmental impact — young fintech founders often aim to reconcile profitability with purpose.
Think of Helios, a neobank that only finances sustainable projects, or Goodvest, a life insurance platform that’s 100% ESG. The success of such initiatives shows that younger generations expect more than returns — they want their money to have meaning.
A revolution through user experience
What young people criticize in traditional banks isn’t just a lack of innovation — it’s the poor customer experience. Endless wait times, unavailable advisors, clunky apps: all of this clashes with the smooth, intuitive interfaces they’re used to from other digital services.
Fintechs have made user experience a priority. Registration in minutes, intuitive interfaces, responsive chatbots, personalized services — everything is designed to make life easier for users and give them control. This UX shift is at the heart of the fintech revolution.
Read more : Interview with Sandheep, MSc Strategic Management and Consulting student (SKEMA)
Fintechs as career launchpads for young graduates
For students and young professionals, fintechs are not just services — they are also potential employers. Because these startups are growing rapidly, they are hiring across multiple sectors, including data, web development, digital marketing, compliance, and finance.
Working in fintech means joining a dynamic environment that values autonomy and initiative. For those who want a career in finance but in a less rigid setting than traditional banks, fintechs offer an appealing alternative.
How traditional banks are reacting: adaptation or resistance?
Faced with this wave of change, traditional banks haven’t thrown in the towel. Many have invested in innovation or created their own fintech branches (like Boursorama by Société Générale). Others choose to collaborate by investing in startups or forming strategic partnerships.
But the real change is cultural. Banks understand they must speak the language of younger generations, rethink their offerings, customer relationships, and communication strategies. Much of this shift has been triggered by the pressure fintechs exert.
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Toward a hybrid model?
Rather than opposing banks and fintechs, many experts see a hybrid model emerging. A more integrated financial system where traditional players leverage technology, and newcomers benefit from the experience and stability of established institutions. In this evolving landscape, young people have a key role — as demanding users, bold innovators, and committed team members.
By rethinking financial practices, promoting new values, and relying on tech, young people are the true architects of the fintech revolution. Their influence goes beyond consumption — they are shaping how finance is envisioned, experienced, and built.
The bank of tomorrow won’t be entirely digital or stuck in the past. It will be fluid, inclusive, mobile — a reflection of a generation no longer waiting for a seat at the table, but instead forging the keys to the system themselves.
