An available data model allows information to be shared among many banking parties.

The UK is regarded as a pioneer in open banking initiatives. Three years have passed since the UK's second payments services directive (PSD2) was implemented, which instructed a few large banks to grant start-ups and permitted third parties to access their customer data. Additionally, it helped independent third parties conduct direct business with banks without interference.

By exchanging financial information with authorized third parties, but only with customers' consent, the idea of "Open Banking" aims to challenge the dominance of a select few giant banks. This will provide bank customers more control over their financial information. Third-party providers (TPPs) have access to various data, including transactions, the start of credit transfers, balance information, and fund checks. The two different categories of third parties are Account Information Service Providers (AISPs) and Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs) (PISPs).

The function of Open APIs

Open Banking was one of the significant components of PSD2. It is based on using infrastructure that complies with regulations, data pools with API access, and other financial services resources. Modern banks now have the chance to provide customers with fresh and distinctive goods, services, and experiences thanks to Open Banking. Creating new products and services and integrating them into the banking system may have taken days, if not months. However, because of open APIs, banks may quickly benefit from in-depth data analytics and create new revenue streams. The fintech industry has seen a technical change in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia-Pacific due to open banking platforms. Traditional banking institutions collaborate with cutting-edge fintech companies to standardize how to exchange financial data. Open banking-based goods continued to grow despite the Covid-19 pandemic's adverse effects on international trade.

Is Open API transforming the banking experience?

First off, the Open Banking and PSD2 principles are both fundamentally based on the use of APIs. The market for open APIs is expanding significantly because of the demand for services and goods that can deliver multichannel customers and establish relationships with them. Applications owned by different authors can communicate with one another using open APIs, which are publicly accessible application programming interfaces. By utilizing open APIs, there is a secure way to share information or gain access to certain areas of an application to provide various financial services. In fact, to some extent, Open APIs provide the foundation for India's UPI-based applications. Open APIs significantly positively impact both small and big businesses, and they alter the banking experience. Banks must provide comprehensive, secure, real-time information exchange utilizing open APIs as their use rapidly expands. By creating open APIs, financial institutions can start providing a range of banking services, such as PSD2. This reduces dependency, makes it possible for businesses to make direct ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) payments, and expedites cross-border settlements. This also applies to other banking services.

Tests of open APIs are needed

Banks must ensure that integrations are finished and tested as extensively as feasible regarding open API testing. Banks will primarily need to evaluate API queries' data response and behavior during API testing. They will demand that APIs be created and tested in line with crucial business logic and processes. When employing APIs, banks are required to take input data as structured requests and deliver responses. Most API testing, including functional testing, dynamic data creation, complete regression testing, test scenarios that cover the entire ecosystem, performance, ad hoc scenarios, and reliable security testing, may be automated by banks. Here are some statistics showing the dire demand for API testing services in the BFSI business, particularly the banking sector: • The global API testing market is anticipated to grow from USD 447.4 million in 2017 to USD 1,099.1 million by 2022, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 19.69% during the forecast period, according to Markets and Markets. • By 2022, the API testing market is anticipated to grow at the quickest rate in the BFSI vertical. • The market for API testing is driven by the open API approach, which exposes various financial APIs to other organizations. As a result, both its importance and the necessity to spend money on automated API testing are expanding. According to this theory, banks must actively implement open APIs to be at the forefront of FinTech innovation. Financial bodies must be supported by solid back-end systems that combine open APIs, collaboration, and partnerships to achieve this. In other words, you must have an automated testing and quality assurance approach!

A Look Ahead at Open Banking

Open Banking began to garner interest in the United States after successfully implemented and growing in favor of the United Kingdom (UK) (US). Even if it is moving in a different direction from Europe, the United States is also moving toward open banking. These developments are being driven by innovative businesses rather than by governmental control. This implies that banks and fintech in the US can consider working together under their terms. According to sources, the integration with the banks would be standardized, indicating that third-party service providers can operate more cheaply. Since Open Banking exists, many Fintech businesses can use APIs to connect their services to financial data. It will also inspire other small companies and start-ups to enter the market and begin offering their services. The TPPs will have a fantastic opportunity to broaden and improve upon their present offering of services. Contact Qualimatrix Technologies for more advice and information on Open API Testing and other testing needs for banking applications.