Web development in finance: Building the future of fintech Par :Kiana Seitz June 25, 2025 Estimated reading time: 7 minutes. If you’re thinking about changing careers, now is a good time to look at tech roles in traditional industries, specifically web development in finance. The financial industry is evolving fast, and it’s hungry for people who can build secure, efficient, and user-friendly digital tools. Whether you come from retail, customer service, business, education, or even finance, your transferable skills combined with new technical training can make you a valuable asset in this growing field. Why finance needs web development The finance industry is undergoing a digital revolution. From everyday banking to complex investment platforms, financial services are increasingly built on robust web-based technologies. As customers demand faster, safer, and more intuitive digital experiences, Web Developers are stepping into the spotlight, designing the tools that power everything from mobile wallets to AI-driven robo-advisors. Whether you’re a budding Web Developer or a financial professional exploring tech-driven opportunities, the fusion of finance and web development—also known as fintech—offers exciting potential for innovation and career growth. Core use cases of web development in finance Web development plays a vital role in shaping modern financial services. Here are some of the most common use cases: 1. Online banking platforms Do you remember the last time you walked into a bank? Me neither. There are very few reasons you need to nowadays, as online banking has become the norm. The banking platforms enable users to check balances, transfer money, deposit cheques, and pay bills more securely and efficiently. 2. Investment dashboards and robo-advisors Modern investing is no longer the exclusive domain of Wall Street professionals. Today, anyone with a smartphone can open an investment account, manage their portfolio, receive personalized financial advice, and visualize performance—all from a browser or app. 3. Payment gateways and digital wallets Services like PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, and Google Wallet rely on backend logic, secure APIs, and seamless user experiences built by Developers. You can now pay safely from your phone or even a smartwatch. No more having to search for your wallet in a seemingly bottomless bag; it’s in your hand or on your wrist. Just me? 4. Financial data visualization tools Finance generates massive amounts of data, but raw numbers aren’t helpful unless they can be interpreted easily. This is where data visualization comes in. Developers build tools to create interactive charts, heatmaps, progress bars, and trend lines that show spending patterns, investment performance, or risk levels. Financial planners, analysts, and consumers all utilize these tools to make informed decisions quickly and easily. Learn more about the power of data in finance in our blog post. 5. Loan and credit application portals Applying for loans or credit used to involve paperwork and long wait times (no, thanks). Now, Developers create online portals that simplify and speed up the process. These applications guide users through forms, perform background and credit checks using APIs, and provide instant feedback. Backend systems handle risk assessment algorithms, eligibility scoring, and automated decision-making. 6. RegTech and compliance monitoring Financial institutions must meet strict regulatory requirements, and RegTech (regulatory technology) tools help automate that burden. Developers create platforms that track transactions, flag suspicious activity, and generate compliance reports for regulators like FINTRAC (in Canada), the SEC, or the FCA. These tools often integrate real-time analytics, user behaviour monitoring, and fraud detection algorithms. Key technologies used The technologies behind these innovations vary depending on use case, but common tools and stacks include: Front-end tools: React, Angular, and Vue.js are used to create responsive, interactive interfaces for customer portals and dashboards. Back-end frameworks: Node.js, Django, Ruby on Rails, and Spring Boot handle data processing, logic, and secure communication. APIs: Developers often integrate financial APIs like Plaid, Stripe, or Yodlee to securely access and manage financial data. Security technologies: HTTPS, data encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and secure OAuth flows protect user data and comply with regulations. DevOps & deployment: Continuous integration/deployment pipelines, containerization (e.g., Docker), and infrastructure monitoring ensure availability, speed, and compliance. Why it’s a growing career area The demand for skilled Web Developers in finance is booming. Here’s why: 1. Fintech funding is surging The global fintech industry is attracting record-breaking investment. Despite dropping since 2021, venture capital funding in this industry is still nearly 3 times higher than it was a decade ago. Venture capital funding in fintech has soared into the tens of billions annually and is ranked 3rd for global venture capital by industry, fueling rapid innovation in everything from digital banking and peer-to-peer payments to blockchain and insurance tech. For career switchers, this means more entry points into startups that are building web-based tools from the ground up, often in agile, fast-paced environments. Startups need Developers to create MVPs (minimum viable products), refine user interfaces, optimize databases, and build secure financial features quickly. Roles are diverse, with opportunities in front-end, back-end, full-stack, DevOps, and UX/UI design. Whether you’re interested in working on budgeting apps, embedded finance tools, or cryptocurrency platforms, the demand is there and growing. 2. Modernization of legacy systems Traditional banks and insurance companies are undergoing digital transformations to keep up with fintech competitors and changing customer demands. For career switchers, this sector offers the stability of large enterprises with the exciting challenge of modern development work, often with robust training and mentoring support. Legacy systems, many built on outdated programming languages or siloed architectures, are being replaced with cloud-based, API-driven, and modular platforms. These projects often involve working with technologies like React, Node.js, AWS, microservices, and containerization tools like Docker or Kubernetes. Web Developers are essential in this shift, helping to rebuild internal portals, integrate customer-facing apps, and modernize backend infrastructure. 3. User expectations have changed Today’s financial users want digital products that are as smooth and intuitive as their favourite social apps. They expect mobile-first, responsive, and 24/7 accessible platforms for everything from checking balances to applying for mortgages or trading stocks. Web Developers are tasked with creating seamless user experiences that are not just functional but also aesthetic and intuitive. Accessibility, speed, mobile performance, and clean UX are no longer optional—they’re competitive differentiators. This opens up tremendous opportunities for Developers with a passion for front-end work, product thinking, or improving financial inclusion through thoughtful design. 4. Cross-sector opportunities Finance is not a single industry; it spans multiple verticals and innovations. As a Developer, you can align your interests with different subfields: Retail banking: Apps and dashboards for everyday consumers. WealthTech: Investment platforms and robo-advisors. InsurTech: Digital insurance products and claims portals. Crypto & blockchain: Decentralized finance (DeFi), wallets, and exchanges. RegTech: Compliance and reporting automation for financial institutions. Green finance: Tools that help investors track ESG (environmental, social, governance) metrics. Career switchers benefit from the breadth of choice and the ability to find mission-driven organizations or emerging sectors that align with their values and interests. Skills Web Developers need in finance To thrive as a Developer in this space, you'll need to balance technical ability with an understanding of industry-specific needs. Let’s break those down. Security awareness In finance, security isn’t just a feature—it’s a mandate. The stakes are high: sensitive financial and personal data, millions of daily transactions, and constant attempts by bad actors to breach systems. As a Developer, you’ll need to: Understand common attack vectors like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Implement secure coding practices (e.g., input validation, HTTPS enforcement, encryption protocols). Stay current with cybersecurity frameworks and tools, and collaborate closely with security teams. Compliance knowledge Financial services are one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. Developers don’t need to be legal experts, but they do need to understand how compliance shapes what can and cannot be built. Key regulations include: PCI DSS: Applies to any system that handles credit card payments. It impacts how you store, transmit, and process payment information. GDPR / PIPEDA: Affects how you manage and store user data, especially personal or identifiable information. AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer): Often require specific flows in onboarding and transaction monitoring. You’ll need to consider these when designing user flows, managing databases, or creating audit logs. A working knowledge of compliance is a huge asset and often a career differentiator. Performance and scalability Financial apps handle massive volumes of data and traffic, amounting to thousands or even millions of transactions per minute. Whether it’s an investment platform calculating real-time stock prices or a banking app processing payments, lag or downtime is unacceptable. As a Developer, you’ll need to: Write efficient, optimized code that performs well under load. Design systems that scale horizontally, using tools like load balancers, caching layers, and cloud infrastructure. Plan for failover and redundancy, especially in high-availability financial environments. Legacy system integration Many major banks and financial institutions still run on legacy systems—old databases, mainframes, or proprietary software that aren’t going away anytime soon. Modern Developers are often tasked with: Connecting new web apps to old systems using APIs, middleware, or ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes. Understanding data formats like XML or fixed-width files that predate today’s JSON-based web services. Navigating security and access protocols that are different from those in greenfield projects. Getting started: How to break into fintech as a Web Developer Interested in building your career at the intersection of code and capital? Here’s how to get started: Learn the basics: Master HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and a back-end language (e.g., Python or Node.js). Specialize in finance-relevant tools: Explore API integration, data visualization, and secure authentication practices. Build a finance-focused portfolio: Create projects like a budgeting tool, investment tracker, or simple banking app to show your skills. Join fintech communities: Get involved in meetups, Discord channels, or open-source projects where Developers and financial professionals collaborate. Consider a bootcamp or certification: Many online programs focus on full-stack development with fintech use cases and career support. Lighthouse Labs has a Web Development Bootcamp that will have you prepared to enter the job market as a Full-Stack Web Developer in just 12 or 30 weeks. Become a Full-Stack Web Developer in as little as 12 weeks! Apply for our Web Development Bootcamp. Learn more Fintech career paths to explore Once you have a solid foundation in web development, here are some fintech-specific roles to aim for: Front-End Developer: Focuses on how finance tools look and feel. Full-Stack Developer: Handles both front-end and back-end systems. Fintech Product Developer: Collaborates with teams to build new financial products. Compliance Tech Developer: Builds tools to help financial firms meet legal requirements. Web Developers are driving the future of finance As digital transformation accelerates in the finance industry, Web Developers are more essential than ever. From improving customer experiences to enabling real-time data analytics, Developers help create the backbone of today’s fintech innovations. If you’re passionate about problem-solving, secure systems, and user experience, this might be the career path for you. Ready to start building the future of finance? Explore the Lighthouse Labs Web Development Bootcamp or fintech in data, or cybersecurity.