Demands from females within the fintech sector

Demands from females within the fintech sector

In the world of Fintech, a call for change is echoing loudly. Ellen Kuder, Carola Wahl, and Frederica Mouritz, among other influential voices, will be speaking at the upcoming PEX 2025 conference, shedding light on the need for increased diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) in the industry.

Frederica Mouritz, Director of Business Development Retail & Commerce Central Europe at Mastercard Central Europe, emphasizes the importance of investing energy in areas with the biggest levers for change. She believes that integrative approaches to diversity are not just a matter of justice but also a strategic necessity.

The finance industry needs a positively connoted focus on diversity and the courage to drive structural changes, according to Mouritz. The motto for International Women's Day 2022, #AccelerateAction, couldn't be more fitting.

Women in Fintech are demanding better representation, access to capital, supportive policies, and an inclusive work culture. Here are some key demands and solutions:

1. Improved gender diversity at all levels: Women want representation not just at entry levels but also in management and board positions. Embedding gender diversity targets and policies, including in senior leadership KPIs, ensures accountability and cultural change within organizations.
2. Access to capital and investment opportunities: Lack of funding is a major barrier. Fintech needs to rethink mainstream investment practices by broadening deal sourcing, supporting female-led venture funds, and moving beyond diversity panels to actual capital and trust.
3. Inclusive policies and programs: Return-ship programs for women rejoining the workforce after career breaks and women-friendly workplace initiatives help retain talent and create equitable opportunities.
4. Financial inclusion as a foundation: True inclusion extends beyond account access to meaningful engagement with digital financial services, empowered by education and tailored fintech products that reflect women’s real-world needs.
5. Valuing diverse leadership: Data shows female-led firms outperform male-led counterparts in return on equity and innovation. Promoting gender diversity drives better financial results and long-term sustainable value creation.
6. Developing skills and opportunities in tech roles: Women seek greater access to evolving fintech roles like algorithmic trading and coding, through platforms that facilitate hands-on meritocratic engagement without requiring traditional credentials.

Nexi, a Fintech company, remains committed to promoting women and continuing its DEI program. However, the representation and equality of women in the Fintech industry has not significantly improved compared to the previous year, according to recent reports.

Some prominent companies in the US and Europe have recently discontinued their DEI programs, exposing them as having only used DEI as a marketing tool. This is a concerning trend that threatens the small gains made in terms of diversity, equality, and inclusion in the Fintech industry.

To encourage more women to participate in the Fintech industry, educational institutions and media need to talk more about the industry. Reactionary forces pose a threat to these gains, but with active efforts to foster growth, mentoring, and constructive feedback, women in Fintech can learn and be more open to changes.

The Fintech and tech sectors are still dominated by men, and the more specialized the topic, the stronger this trend. However, one of the biggest levers, according to Mouritz, lies with ourselves and our ability to make conscious decisions, seize opportunities, nurture networks, and actively give and receive support.

Companies that take diversity seriously and integrate it profitably and sustainably will be successful in the long run, according to Mouritz. TeamAt Payment & Banking, a diverse team with a mission to deliver deeper insights and actively shape the finance and fintech industry, is a shining example of this.

According to the World Economic Forum, achieving full gender equality will take until 2158 at the current pace of progress. However, with the right actions and a collective commitment to change, we can accelerate this timeline and create a more inclusive Fintech industry for all.

1. The science of women's health-and-wellness in the health-and-wellness industry calls for increased representation and support for women, similar to the demands in the Fintech industry.
2. The need for diversity and inclusion (DEI) in the finance industry extends beyond just black squares on social media; it requires strategic and meaningful action.
3. Ellen Kuder, Carola Wahl, and Frederica Mouritz, key figures in the Fintech industry, emphasize the importance of business careers in fintech and fintech-related fields for women.
4. As the Fintech and tech sectors continue to evolve, a focus on diversity-and-inclusion is crucial for creating innovative and profitably sustainable businesses in the health-and-wellness industry as well.
5. The health-and-wellness industry, like Fintech, can learn from successful companies with diverse teams, such as TeamAt Payment & Banking, that actively shape their respective industries.

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