Northern Ireland's thriving fintech sector is facing a growing skills gap unless more young people are encouraged to pursue careers in the industry, experts have warned.
Fintech is one of the fastest growing sectors in the region, with one in five people here working across areas such as digital payments, regulatory technology (RegTech), cybersecurity, data analytics and insurance technology.*
Belfast is ranked as one of the world's top cities for fintech development and inward investment, attracting key multinationals with its combination of a highly skilled workforce, specialist expertise, competitive operating costs and strong government support.**
Despite this success, industry leaders warn that the sector's long-term growth could be under pressure, as the demand for tech-savvy financial professionals far outstrips the supply of candidates.
New research by leading fintech firm
CompareNI.com has revealed that just 14% of students here have considered a career in the industry, despite Northern Ireland being recognised as a global hub for financial technology innovation and investment.
The survey of 100 students also found that only one in five (20%) knew about the industry’s reputation for lucrative salaries, generous benefits packages and rapid career progression.
To help combat this lack of awareness, CompareNI’s Fintech Scholarship - now in its sixth year - aims to support emerging talent while shining a light on the wide range of career opportunities available within the sector in Northern Ireland.
This year’s winner Anna Donnelly, who has just completed a Master's degree in Financial Technology at Ulster University, has urged her fellow students to explore the prospect of a career in fintech.
“The great thing about fintech is that it thrives on a diverse range of specialisms, meaning it can open doors for graduates from many different backgrounds,” she added.
“The skills learned in fintech can be applied to so many jobs and there are lots of opportunities if you look for them, particularly in Belfast. Fintech graduates are in a great position to access lots of different career paths, from software development and cyber security to data analytics, fraud detection and many more.”
Professor Danielle McWall, Associate Dean (Partnership and student recruitment), at Ulster University, said Northern Ireland has a proven track record of attracting significant investment from major fintech companies, but warned that there needs to be a stronger talent pipeline to prevent growth from stagnating.
She added: “For many students, fintech isn’t resonating with them as a career option. They may have an interest in technology or finance, but many don’t tend to merge these areas together.
“There are really fabulous careers out there in the world of fintech and I think many students will eventually end up circling back to these after they have done a more traditional degree, but it is about getting them to understand that there are specialised degrees in fintech that will open up wonderful careers for them.”
Barry Quinn, Professor of Finance and Financial Technology at Ulster University, said fintech skills are becoming increasingly relevant for those entering the workplace.
He added: "Fintech now touches almost every aspect of our daily lives. From digital payments and online banking to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, almost all businesses use fintech in some capacity, so it is a skillset that will serve young people well.
“More needs to be done to introduce young people to fintech at an earlier stage, and we at Ulster University are front and centre of that. We were one of the first places in the UK to introduce an undergraduate degree apprenticeship in fintech, allowing students to apply the skills learned in the classroom to the workplace.”
Ian Wilson, Managing Director of local fintech firm and Northern Ireland’s largest price comparison site, CompareNI.com, said: "Our research suggests there is still plenty of work to do when it comes to helping students understand the opportunities available in fintech.
“Having a steady supply of talented graduates to meet the growing demand is vital if Northern Ireland is to continue attracting investment, creating high-value jobs and retaining its position as a global fintech powerhouse.
“We are keen to work closely with educational institutions to nurture and develop homegrown talent, ensuring a steady flow of opportunities for both next generation professionals and local companies.
“Through initiatives such as our Fintech Scholarship, we want to help students realise their potential and increase awareness in the opportunities available for graduates in this rapidly growing industry.”
As part of the scholarship award, Anna received a £1,000 bursary to support her studies and can also avail of work experience with Seopa, the fintech company behind CompareNI.com, Northern Ireland’s largest price comparison site.
Seopa has been continuously investing in growth and recruitment, with
new fintech roles readily available.
The company has been recognised with six Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards and has been awarded a Deloitte Best Managed Company Award each year for the past nine years. Most recently, Seopa was named Employer of the Year at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards 2026.
