Primary Uses Vary by Country

In most countries, payment processing is the main use case for fintech apps. However, in France, Budgeting and Household Management take priority, with 35 % of respondents citing it as their primary use. In Germany (42 %) and Sweden (41 %), Payment Processing is the top function, followed by Investments and Trading (22 %). In the Netherlands, nearly two-thirds (63%) of respondents see Payment Processing as the primary purpose of fintech apps, while other uses remain less significant.

Key Benefits: Availability, Speed, and Ease of Use

Across all four countries, Simplicity, Speed, and 24/7 Availability are cited as the most significant advantages of fintech apps. However, priorities vary by country: in Germany (77 %) and the Netherlands (70 %), Constant Availability is the top benefit with and respectively, while in France and Sweden, this factor ranks third.

Security Concerns as the Main Barrier

Security concerns are the most frequently mentioned obstacle to fintech adoption in all four countries. In Germany, France, and Sweden, Lack of Trust is the second most significant barrier. In the Netherlands (32 %) and France (30 %), many respondents also express a Preference for Traditional Banking Services.

Attitudes Towards Artificial Intelligence and Data Privacy

In Germany, respondents show a strong preference for human-managed investments over AI-based ones, with 66% expressing this sentiment. Additionally, 69% of participants stated they would be more inclined to use fintech apps if there was greater transparency about data protection and security.

French respondents exhibit similar concerns, particularly regarding data privacy, with 66% expressing unease about storing personal or financial data in fintech apps. In addition, 65 % show no interest in crypto investments, and more than half (60 %) trust large fintech providers such as PayPal, Revolut or Trade Republic less than traditional banks.

In the Netherlands, respondents appear more reserved in their opinions. The most agreed-upon statement was the desire for greater transparency around data protection and security in fintech apps (50%). On the other hand, two thirds of respondents (62%) disagree with the statement ‘Digital solutions from banks are not really customer-friendly. Neo-banks or fintechs, on the other hand, are.’

Swedish participants similarly favored human-managed investments, with 56% expressing trust in them over AI-based alternatives. Interest in crypto investments remains low, with 65% stating that they are not interested.

These findings suggest that while there are shared concerns about AI and data privacy across these countries, preferences and levels of trust in fintech solutions vary significantly.

European Challenges: Focus on Sustainability

There is broad consensus on the importance of climate policy and sustainability at the European level, particularly among respondents in the Netherlands and Sweden. 48 % of German respondents also emphasise the promotion of innovation and technology, as well as Europe's independent decision-making. French respondents, on the other hand, are most in favour of greater involvement in geopolitical security issues (44%) and show the least support for greater European independence (37%).

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About Berlin Finance Initiative
The Berlin Finance Initiative (BFI) sees itself as the umbrella of Berlin's fintech ecosystem, uniting traditional banks and fintech companies. As the voice of Berlin's finance and technology industry, the BFI actively advocates for its diverse interests and strengthens ties to global markets. The BFI is a proud partner of de:hub FinTech Berlin and Germany Finance and was founded in 2020 by Achim Oelgarth and Caroline Wahl.