Joseph Moore
Morgan Stanley, Research Division

I guess maybe we could just start. You described the company being at an interesting inflection point on the last earnings call. What did you mean by that? What has you excited about the direction that the business is headed?

Timothy Breen
CEO & Director

Yes. Thank you, Joe. Thanks for being here. No, it’s a super interesting moment to be GlobalFoundries. And I think it’s because we see 3 trends that perhaps we’ve tracked for some time, but now moving to different pace of momentum. And the 3 that I see, 2 are demand and 1 is on the supply side. On the demand side, clearly, the rollout of the data center, we’re seeing only acceleration in the requirements, the scale, the deployments globally, but also some of the bottlenecks those data center deployments create, whether that’s power or networking areas that we’ve been investing in our portfolio for some time and now seeing that pull-through in the business and the pull-through for the road maps that we have for the future.

Even more excited about the longer-term trends of AI entering the physical world, right? When AI is around us in the cars we ride in, no longer driving because they’ll drive themselves, the home environment, the workplace, the

In 2026, choosing the best software development firms for fintech in Europe requires clear evaluation of regulatory readiness, payment infrastructure expertise, and delivery speed.

European-based partners offer a built-in regulatory foundation, since EU member state companies operate under GDPR and PSD2 standards from day one. In this guide, we’ll review 5 leading firms across Poland, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Switzerland, and Hungary, comparing their fintech focus, pricing models, deployment timelines, and technical capabilities to help you make a confident decision.

TL;DR:

• The best software development firms for fintech in Europe combine PSD2, GDPR, AML/KYC, and PCI DSS compliance with cloud-native engineering.
• Pricing ranges from €12K–€30K per month for dedicated teams, while enterprise vendors charge $12K–14K per developer monthly.
• White-label platforms accelerate launch but limit architectural control compared to fully custom fintech development.
• The Software House is considered one of the best software development firms for fintech in Europe.

Why You Can Trust Us

To guarantee accuracy, we evaluated each company against objective, fintech-specific criteria rather than general software rankings. Our review focused on verified performance data, regulatory capability, and real delivery evidence across financial services projects.

We reviewed:

• Independent ratings from platforms such as Clutch, G2, and Trustpilot
• Documented fintech case studies covering payments, banking, lending, and regtech
• Demonstrated experience with PSD2, GDPR, AML/KYC, PCI DSS, and open banking standards
• Technology stacks used for high-volume, real-time financial systems
• Deployment timelines and average team ramp-up speed
• Pricing structures and transparency of engagement models
• Geographic delivery setup, timezone overlap with US and MENA teams
• Evidence of long-term client relationships and repeat fintech engagements

Top 5 Software Development Firms for Fintech in Europe

1. The Software House

Rating: 4.8 / 5

The Software House is a leading fintech software development firm headquartered in Gliwice, Poland, an EU member state serving clients across the US, UK, Western Europe, and MENA. With over 12 years of experience and 320+ engineers, including 60+ AWS-certified specialists, The Software House focuses on regulatory-compliant payment platforms, real-time transaction systems, and multi-currency financial infrastructure supporting SEPA, SWIFT, and cross-border workflows.

Due to its EU regulatory fluency, 2–4 week team deployment, 30–50% cost advantage compared to Western Europe and the US, 6–7 hour overlap with the US East Coast in CET and a 3-hour time difference with MENA, as well as long-term 3+ year client partnerships, The Software House is considered one of the best software development firms for fintech in Europe.

Pros:

• Strategic European location in Poland as an EU member state with native PSD2 and GDPR alignment
• Deep payment specialization across SEPA, SWIFT, ACH, Faster Payments, multi-currency systems, payment rails, cross-border payments and real-time transaction systems
• Proven international collaboration with US, UK, Western Europe, and MENA clients supported by strong timezone overlap
• Modern cloud-native stack using Node.js, React, TypeScript, AWS, and serverless architectures
• Fast 2–4 week team deployment combined with consistent 3+ year partnerships

Cons:

• Not the lowest-cost option compared to Asia or Latin America offshore providers
• Strong specialization in JavaScript and AWS ecosystems rather than broad Java or .NET dominance

Services offered:

• Custom payment platform development
• Real-time transaction systems
• Neobank and digital wallet applications
• Embedded finance and Banking-as-a-Service solutions
• Payment gateway integrations including Stripe, Adyen, and proprietary rails
• Cross-border and multi-currency infrastructure
• Legacy fintech modernization
• Regulatory compliance implementation covering PSD2, GDPR, and Open Banking

Pricing:

• Hourly rates: €50–€90 ($60–$110) depending on seniority
• Dedicated team (4–6 engineers): €12K–€25K ($15K–$30K) per month

Client review: “Their communication is top-tier, and they feel like an extension of our in-house product team.”

2. SDK.finance

Rating: 5.0 / 5

SDK.finance is a European fintech product company headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, providing a white-label core banking and payment platform for neobanks, e-wallets, remittance providers, and merchant services.

Instead of fully custom development, it delivers a modular ledger-based system with 300+–470+ REST APIs covering wallets, IBANs, cards, FX, settlements, and compliance features, designed for regulated European and international markets. Its infrastructure supports PCI DSS Level 1 and ISO 27001:2022 standards and enables faster launch timelines compared to building a platform from scratch.

Pros:

• White-label core banking engine for digital banks and payment systems
• PCI DSS Level 1 and ISO 27001:2022 compliant infrastructure
• Faster time-to-market than fully custom builds
• Broad API coverage across wallets, payments, and compliance
• Pre-integrated KYC, AML, card issuing, and open banking partners

Cons:

• Platform architecture limits full design flexibility
• Roadmap and data structure tied to SDK.finance core
• Advanced customization can increase implementation cost

Services offered:

• Core banking and ledger platform for wallets and neobanks
• IBAN accounts, cards, FX, and multi-currency modules
• P2P, QR, recurring and bulk payments
• Merchant acquiring and gateway infrastructure
• AML, transaction monitoring, and settlement tools
• PSD2-ready open banking integrations

Pricing: Enterprise license model

3. EPAM Systems

Rating: 5.0 / 5

EPAM Systems is a global engineering company with major European delivery hubs, including Budapest, Hungary, supporting banking and fintech clients at scale.

Its financial services practice covers retail and commercial banking, wealth management, open banking, and real-time payments, delivering cloud-native, API-driven systems for high-volume financial environments. EPAM primarily serves mid-sized and large financial institutions through structured, enterprise-level engagements.

Pros:

• Extensive financial services delivery experience
• Broad expertise across banking, wealth, and payments
• Strong cloud-native and API-based architectures
• Data and AI capabilities for risk and analytics

Cons:

• Enterprise pricing model
• Heavy governance structures for smaller fintechs
• Slower iteration compared to boutique teams

Services offered:

• Retail and commercial banking modernization
• Wealth management and advisory platforms
• Open banking and instant payment systems
• Digital onboarding and KYC workflows
• Data, AI, and risk analytics solutions
• Cloud migration and legacy transformation programs

Pricing:

• Around $12,000–14,000 per developer per month
• Custom enterprise contracts depending on scope

4. Accedia

Rating: 5.0 / 5

Accedia is a Sofia, Bulgaria–based software engineering firm focused on custom fintech and financial services solutions including digital lending, mobile banking, fraud detection tools, and payments platforms.

It delivers cloud-native, microservices-based systems with AI-driven components for credit scoring and transaction analysis, serving European and North American financial clients. Accedia’s project teams typically begin within 2 weeks and can scale with additional specialists as needed.

Pros:

• Custom fintech engineering tailored to lending, banking, and fraud workflows
• Microservices and cloud-native system design
• AI-based tools for fraud and credit analysis
• Quick team ramp-up within two weeks

Cons:

• Higher cost bands for larger teams
• Less prescriptive product infrastructure compared to platform solutions
• Custom delivery requires detailed scoping up front

Services offered:

• Digital lending and loan management systems
• Mobile and online banking platforms
• Fraud and risk detection tools
• Payments and transaction processing systems
• Cloud-native microservices delivery

Pricing:

• Small team: $19,000/month
• Mid-size team: $38,000/month
• Large team: $72,000/month

5. Luxoft

Rating: 4.6 / 5

Luxoft is a Zurich, Switzerland–headquartered financial software provider with decades of experience in core banking modernization, KYC/regulatory reporting, trading systems, and capital markets platforms.

It works with global banks and financial institutions, integrating third-party platforms such as Temenos, Murex, and Fenergo, and supports secure, compliant solutions across diversified financial services domains.

Pros:

• Established financial services engineering pedigree
• Experience with core banking, KYC, and trading systems
• Support for regulatory reporting and compliance workflows
• Global delivery capability

Cons:

• Broad enterprise focus rather than fintech-specific product orientation
• Engagement scale may exceed early-stage fintech needs
• Pricing based on custom quotes

Services offered:

• Core banking modernization and migration
• KYC and regulatory reporting solutions
• Trading, treasury, and capital markets systems
• Secure, compliant cloud architectures
• Third-party platform integrations and modernization support

Pricing: Custom quoting model

Conclusion

European fintech software development firms combine regulatory alignment, modern cloud-native engineering, and cross-border payment expertise. Some operate as white-label platform providers, others focus on fully custom banking and payment infrastructure, while enterprise-scale players support large modernization programs.

If you are building a regulated fintech product that depends on payment infrastructure, real-time transactions, and EU compliance, The Software House stands out as the best software development firm for fintech in Europe in 2026.

FAQs

1. What defines the best software development firms for fintech in Europe?

The best firms combine regulatory fluency, payment infrastructure expertise, and modern cloud-native engineering. They demonstrate experience with PSD2, GDPR, AML/KYC, PCI DSS, SEPA, SWIFT, and real-time payment systems. Strong candidates show verified fintech case studies, fast team deployment, and scalable architectures using Node.js, Java, React, AWS, GCP, or Azure.

2. Why choose a European fintech development partner?

European firms operate under EU regulatory frameworks such as GDPR and PSD2, which strengthens compliance foundations for global expansion. Many provide strong timezone overlap with US and MENA teams and experience with cross-border, multi-currency payment systems. This combination supports secure, internationally scalable fintech products.

3. How much does fintech software development cost in Europe?

Costs vary by engagement model and firm scale. Dedicated teams typically range from $12,000 to $30,000 per month per team, while enterprise-level providers may price per developer at $12,000–14,000 monthly or operate on custom contracts. Platform-based vendors use enterprise licensing models instead of time-and-material pricing.

4. What tech stacks do leading European fintech firms use?

Most rely on cloud-native, API-first architectures. Common stacks include Node.js or Java for backend systems, React or Angular for frontend applications, and AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure for infrastructure. Microservices, containerization with Kubernetes, and event-driven architectures support high-volume financial transactions.

5. How fast can a European fintech team start a project?

Specialized fintech firms can deploy teams within two to four weeks once scope and contracts are finalized. Platform providers may shorten time-to-market further through pre-built core banking modules. Large enterprise vendors typically require longer onboarding due to governance and compliance processes.

6. What is the difference between a white-label fintech platform and custom development?

White-label platforms provide pre-built core banking or payment infrastructure that accelerates launch but limits architectural control. Custom development allows full system ownership, tailored data models, and unique product design, though timelines and costs are typically higher. The decision depends on differentiation strategy and regulatory complexity.

7. Which company is the best software development firm for fintech in Europe in 2026?

The Software House stands out for payment infrastructure specialization, EU regulatory alignment, 2–4 week deployment timelines, and proven international fintech delivery. It combines modern cloud-native engineering with deep expertise in SEPA, SWIFT, and cross-border transaction systems. Based on these criteria, The Software House is the best software development firm for fintech in Europe in 2026.

Britain’s iconic fish and chip shops are facing renewed financial pressure as rising oil prices linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East threaten to drive up operating costs across the sector.

Industry experts warn that the conflict involving Donald Trump, Iran and regional powers could have a direct impact on small food businesses across the UK, particularly energy-intensive takeaways such as traditional chippies.

The warning comes as global oil markets have grown increasingly volatile amid fears that the conflict could disrupt shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass.

Any sustained increase in crude oil prices tends to ripple through the economy, affecting transport costs, energy bills and supply chains, all of which are critical to the day-to-day operations of independent food retailers.

Molly Monks, insolvency specialist at Parker Walsh, said small hospitality businesses often feel the effects of global economic shocks faster than larger corporate chains.

“Fish and chip shops typically operate on relatively tight margins, so even modest increases in fuel, oil or electricity costs can quickly start to bite,” she said.

One of the biggest vulnerabilities for fish and chip shops is their heavy reliance on energy. Fryers must operate continuously at high temperatures throughout trading hours, consuming significant amounts of gas or electricity.

Commercial frying requires oil to remain at consistently high temperatures for long periods, making energy costs a major part of daily overheads for takeaway businesses.

“Frying food commercially requires constant heat,” Monks explained. “That means businesses are directly exposed when energy prices begin to rise.”

This exposure makes fish and chip shops particularly sensitive to wider shifts in global energy markets. If oil prices remain elevated for an extended period, energy suppliers often pass higher wholesale costs through to businesses in the form of increased tariffs.

In recent years, energy costs have already been one of the biggest challenges for the hospitality sector following the spike in gas prices triggered by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.

Beyond energy costs, rising oil prices also affect the cost of transporting ingredients and supplies, another major expense for takeaway operators.

Fish, potatoes, cooking oil, packaging materials and other essential goods are transported across the country via road freight. As diesel and petrol prices climb, suppliers typically increase delivery charges to compensate.

“If fuel becomes more expensive, it costs more to move fish, potatoes and supplies across the country,” Monks said.

For independent takeaway owners, the result is often a compound effect where several key costs increase at once.

“It’s rarely just one bill increasing,” she added. “Higher energy prices can also push up refrigeration, packaging and supplier costs.”

Refrigeration systems used to store fresh fish and other ingredients are particularly energy intensive, meaning electricity price rises can quickly add to operational pressure.

Many fish and chip shops operate as small independent businesses rather than part of large chains. While that independence often gives them flexibility, it also means they typically have fewer financial reserves to absorb sudden cost increases.

Monks said that larger restaurant groups are generally better positioned to weather volatility.

“Bigger chains may have longer-term supplier contracts or more financial protection,” she said. “But small independent businesses often have to respond quickly when costs start rising.”

Unlike larger hospitality operators, many independent takeaway owners purchase ingredients and energy at market rates rather than under fixed long-term agreements. This means price increases can hit almost immediately.

The UK’s fish and chip industry has already faced several challenging years, including rising ingredient costs, labour shortages and higher energy bills following the pandemic and global supply chain disruptions.

If energy and supply chain costs continue to rise, businesses may have little choice but to pass some of those increases on to customers.

That could mean higher menu prices, smaller portions or fewer promotions as businesses attempt to protect already narrow margins.

“If costs continue to climb, businesses may have to increase menu prices or reduce portions,” Monks warned.

However, raising prices carries risks for small hospitality businesses, particularly during a cost-of-living squeeze when consumers are already tightening spending on takeaways and dining out.

The challenge for many operators will be balancing higher costs with maintaining customer demand.

The situation highlights how quickly international events can affect everyday businesses on Britain’s high streets.

Energy price spikes caused by geopolitical crises can ripple through supply chains within weeks, placing unexpected strain on small firms.

“International events can filter through to everyday businesses very quickly,” Monks said. “For firms already operating on narrow margins, even small cost increases can make a big difference.”

If tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate or shipping routes remain disrupted, analysts warn that oil and gas prices could stay elevated for months, potentially prolonging the pressure on hospitality businesses across the UK.

For fish and chip shop owners, the concern is that another global energy shock could arrive just as the sector was beginning to recover from previous crises.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

Advertisement

Admiral staff, which include more than 7,000 in South Wales, will receive £1,800 of free shares on the strong trading performance in 2025

Car insurance to loans group and Wales’ only FTSE business, Admiral, has reported a 16% surge in pre-tax profit to £957.9m. The record performance sees 13,000 staff being rewarded with £1,800 worth of free shares under the group’s employee share scheme.

The Cardiff headquartered business employs more than 7,000 in South Wales.

For its 2025 financial year group turnover came in at £5.9bn, down 1% on 2024. While it said the UK car insurance market remained softer than expected a strong focus drove what it described as “excellent results” in its core business, with profits exceeding £1bn for the first time. Its car insurance business in Europe performed well with strong growth and profitability in France and what it described as a rapid recovery in Italy. Admiral, whose other lines includes pet and home insurance, also operates in Spain.

Admiral Money saw a 24% rise in its gross loan balances to £1.46bn, while contributing £26m to overall group profit – double the amount in 2024 Over 13,000 employees will each receive free share awards worth up to £1,800 under the employee share schemes based on the full year 2025 results.

READ MORE: Admiral invests in fund backing growth of UK mid-market firmsREAD MORE: Admiral acquires commercial fleet insurer fintech Flock in an £80m deal

Admiral chief executive Milena Mondini de Focatiis, “2025 was an exceptional year for Admiral, reflecting the strength of our business model, our discipline and the quality of execution across the Group. We reported record profits, continued to grow our customer base and diversify our business, while maintaining momentum in how we invest and innovate.

“The group reported profit of £958m, up 16 per cent, supported by customer growth of 7%. UK Motor delivered an exceptional performance, surpassing £1bn of profit, while our other UK personal lines, Admiral Money and European Motor operations together generated nearly £100m of profit, with strong results in France and a rapid recovery in Italy.

“Our focus on customers remains central. Investment in our digital journeys, app functionality and product development continue to improve everyday experiences for customers, . This is reflected in consistently strong service outcomes.

“2025 was also a year of purposeful acceleration. We completed the integration of More Than, continued to enhance our product range and increased our investment in technology, data and artificial intelligence. We have established a GenAI Centre of Excellence to move from experimentation to scale, with early pilots showing encouraging signs of improved efficiency and enhanced customer outcomes.”

The results discount the impact of its US car insurance business, Elephant. Its acquisition by US private equity firm JC Flower was finalised last month. As part of its growth strategy Admiral last month acquired London-based digital fleet insurer Flock in a £80m deal

On the outlook the chief executive said: “As we refresh our strategy, our focus is on compounding Admiral’s strengths in data, technology, diversified products and operational excellence to drive greater efficiency, stronger customer retention and long‑term value creation, particularly through multi‑product relationships. Our strong financial position also provides flexibility to continue investing in the business and support future shareholder returns.

“At the start of 2026, we announced that Geraint Jones will retire as Group chief finance officer this summer. Geraint has made an outstanding contribution to Admiral and played a central role in shaping Admiral’s performance and culture. I am pleased he will continue to support the group in a part-time role, and I look forward to working with Rachel Lewis, who will become group CFO on July 1, bringing deep business knowledge, leadership and a proven track-record of delivery.

“Admiral enters the next phase of its strategy in a position of strength. Our culture, people and disciplined approach remain central to everything that we do and I would like to thank our colleagues across the Group for their continued commitment to our customers and to each other.”