How to Learn FinTech Online

Those interested in the growing FinTech field are in good company: Forbes estimates that venture capitalists poured $133 billion into FinTech in 2021, more than twice the amount they invested in 2020. Many of the most successful FinTechs are startups—a point worth considering for anyone considering starting their own FinTech entity.

The study of FinTech can be based on a specific area of interest, but many students learn FinTech skills and principles through coursework with a generalized emphasis. For example, Python Developers learn much of the same material as Financial Analysts, though not necessarily for FinTech purposes. Often, students’ most efficient use of time involves enrolling in a FinTech bootcamp or certificate program.

But the question of what constitutes FinTech can be confusing. Let’s consider what FinTech truly means in today’s digital world.

What is FinTech?

In the field of finance, FinTech is the use of cutting-edge financial technology. Mobile banking, ecommerce, and even cryptocurrencies fall under the general heading of FinTech.

Organizations offering a particular FinTech product line or service can be categorized as FinTechs. Examples abound, from online payment company Stripe to buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) darling Klarna.

Beyond the finance field proper, FinTech simply refers to the financial technologies themselves. These include popular tools like Apple Pay, the Starbucks Rewards loyalty program, and artificial intelligence (AI) stock trading software.

For reference purposes, here are some of the most common FinTech categories:

• Consumer banking
• Lending
• Mobile payments
• Investment advisory services
• Blockchain technology
• Cryptocurrencies
• Banking as a Service (BaaS)
• Credit reporting services

What Can You Do with FinTech?

FinTech refers to the many Financial Technology products and services you can use today and some of the companies that offer them. Consider FinTech as an umbrella term referring to three main categories:

1. Services - On a basic level, many FinTech services may be considered products, and vice versa. PayPal is a service, but the platform of services PayPal offers may be called a product itself. To simplify matters, look at services that are now commonly provided and named as such: Banking as a Service (BaaS), payment services like Venmo, and investment services like Robinhood.
2. Products - FinTech products range from the payment app you use on your smart device every day to robo-advisors and digital banking. Currencies aren’t typically referred to as products, but cryptocurrencies certainly fall into the product category as opposed to a service.
3. FinTech Companies - Organizations like Visa and Mastercard top the list of major FinTech companies in the U.S., followed by Tencent and Ant Financial in China, then U.S. companies Intuit, PayPal, and Stripe. These firms offer FinTech products or services, and people generally refer to the companies themselves as “FinTechs.”

Additional FinTech products, services, and technological innovations include wealth management, insurance (a.k.a., “insurtech”), and credit reporting/identity theft protection services.

FinTech Pioneers and Startups

Most students have already learned about FinTech, even something as simple as the Apple Wallet on their iPhones or processing retail payments with a company’s app.

Newcomers to the FinTech world will want to familiarize themselves with some of the most popular product and service areas, such as those listed above. Most people are already familiar with the biggest pioneers in the FinTech world, including:

• Amazon
• PayPal
• Samsung
• JPMorgan Chase
• Goldman Sachs
• PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC)

Beyond these corporate juggernauts, it’s important to gain industry knowledge, which is easily found online. Check out the FinTech 50 2022 from Forbes, Insider Intelligence’s Top FinTech Companies and Startups for 2022, or the 10 Most Influential FinTech Companies list from FinTech Magazine.

Interested students can also find FinTech fundamentals through online blogs and videos. The Python programming language is essential for many FinTech positions, and you can research it online before enrolling in a class. Noble Desktop offers helpful feature articles through its Blog and Learning Resources, including info on Python for Financial Analysis. Check out the videos on Noble’s YouTube channel, like this Python fundamentals webinar.

Live Online FinTech Training

Once someone has oriented themselves in the wide world of FinTech, it’s time to look at some of the best ways to learn it in more depth.

Many course providers offer in-person as well as online training. Noble Desktop hosts many of its top FinTech classes and bootcamps at its Madison Avenue campus in New York City. However, you can also take a variety of these same courses online from wherever you are.

The best bootcamps and certificate programs provide hands-on training in an immersive environment. Online learning provides additional benefits: you learn at your own pace, and experienced instructors can answer your questions in real-time.

With FinTech, combining Python fundamentals training, financial analysis, and machine learning can be confusing if you try to study it independently. Consider the benefits of some of Noble Desktop’s most popular courses:

1. FinTech Bootcamp - This 102-hour immersive training in FinTech basics prepares you for an entry-level position in data science, financial analysis, or another role. While open to FinTech beginners, applicants for this bootcamp should have familiarity with financial statements, stock market fundamentals, and financial concepts like Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and net present value (NPV).
2. Python for Finance Bootcamp - Noble’s FinTech Bootcamp focuses on Python for Automation, Machine Learning, and Data Science. This Python for Finance Bootcamp is also part of that extended curriculum. Or save by taking the course within the FinTech Bootcamp, or take it separately. Applicants starting here should be familiar with Python for data science and financial concepts. See course listings for more detailed prerequisite information.
3. Financial Modeling Bootcamp - The Financial Modeling Bootcamp is a standalone program, not currently available as part of other certificates. Students who want to work in investment banking, private equity, or financial advisory services will find this a perfect introduction. Intermediate experience with Excel is needed, so check course details for specific requirements.

Other Python-centered Noble Desktop courses to consider include the Python Programming Bootcamp and Python for Data Science Bootcamp.

On-Demand FinTech Classes

On-demand or self-paced FinTech training options offer another way to learn. These range from two-hour webinars to programs that take six months or longer. Topics include database management, financial modeling, and tools like SQL. Some courses are free, whereas others cost over $10,000.

These programs also have their own built-in pros and cons. While on-demand training can be an excellent way to begin learning about FinTech, the lack of instructor feedback or accountability to complete assignments or build portfolios can create obstacles for all but the most self-motivated students.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

If you’re not yet ready to commit to a full-length course, you can start learning about FinTech for free online. Check out Noble Desktop’s Get Started In Data Science seminar or their Intro to Python Fundamentals seminar. In these free introductory courses, you’ll learn about subjects like data science, practical uses of Python, and how to analyze datasets, among others.

Additional course providers who offer free online classes include Global FinTech Academy and FBS Markets, Inc. You’ll find offerings on topics like Regulatory Technology (RegTech), FinTech applications, and FinTech Law and Policy, to name a few.

Read about more free FinTech videos and online tutorials.

Additional Resources

Once a professional starts working in FinTech, they may decide to pursue further goals. While not everyone wants to climb the corporate ladder, not everyone is satisfied long-term in an entry-level position, either.

For that reason, it’s essential to consider other educational opportunities. Many Noble Desktop bootcamp graduates report that they gained so much from the three-day Financial Modeling Bootcamp that they decided to enroll in the more comprehensive FinTech Bootcamp. Others choose to go back to school for a bachelor’s or master’s degree once they have practical experience.

Along with the formal training mentioned above, consider some of the most popular resources for FinTech pros:

1. Financial Services (FinServ) and FinTech Publications - Staying current is easy when using resources like FinTech Magazine and FinTech Times. A person can find plenty of great free articles here. Other popular business publications that offer a wealth of FinTech news stories by subscription include Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Fortune.
2. Industry News - If a person wants to go beyond the sometimes myopic views of financial publications, they can always expand further in that specific field. Data science professionals may want to read Analytics Insight or Data Science Weekly; if one works in the insurance field, check out Risk & Insurance or Insurance Business America.
3. FinTech Influencers & Brands - This is a good place to start, but it’s an even better place to revisit after getting in-depth training. Check out lists like Top FinTech Influencers of 2022 or Top 10 FinTech Innovators to Follow. Here you’ll find industry pros with extensive experience and can connect with many through Twitter or LinkedIn.

The universe of FinTech experts is still small but growing as rapidly as the industry. By training in their area of interest, a FinTech pro can carve out a meaningful path in the field—and may be able to do nearly all of it online.

Comparing Online Learning with In-Person Learning

While many tech students prefer to learn online, nothing quite captures the excitement of learning FinTech like an in-person bootcamp or certificate program. Many students can choose between taking classes via live teleconferencing and attending courses in person, and face-to-face courses offer some unique benefits.

Graduates of in-person bootcamps often report that they felt more engaged than if they’d had to take the same class online. The opportunity to network with peers and even instructors expands when sitting in a classroom. In-person programs also provide computer equipment for students to use during class, and learning in a facility eliminates the inevitable distractions of home.

Of course, learning online has its own set of advantages. Students who live far from training facilities can learn anywhere in an online environment, avoiding inconveniences like traffic and the expenses associated with a long commute. On the other hand, online participants do not necessarily reach the same level of engagement as in-person learners.

Some course providers provide hybrid training, with in-person attendees and students attending live online via teleconferencing. However, these options make up a small percentage of offerings. When choosing a course, expect to find primarily in-person or fully remote alternatives.

If you decide to enroll in your first online class, consider your learning preferences and put together a plan of action to ensure you’ll get the most out of the experience.

7 Tips to Succeed when Learning FinTech Online

When it comes to online learning, many students enroll in classes without much thought about the differences between in-person and fully remote training. While learning by teleconferencing offers unique advantages—no commute, money saved on travel or vehicle maintenance, learning from the comfort of home—the reduced level of engagement can provide additional challenges.

To succeed when training online, the best approach requires planning for success. Consider the following seven tips to ensure you have the best chance to transition from in-person to online learning.

1. Set up your home training environment for optimal learning. Different students learn through different platforms, but a smartphone is not the best way to train online. While a desktop computer is the best option, many students have to work with a laptop if learning from home. Sitting on the sofa with a bag of chips doesn’t work for online training. A dedicated learning space gives you the mindset that you’re there to learn at that time—and nothing else.
2. Create a schedule for completing and reviewing assignments. Classes start and end at specific times, and your homework should follow the same pattern. Students learning from home typically face the same challenges as fully remote workers: time management, the lure of multitasking, and distractions from family and even pets. Plan your time, and time your plan.
3. Connect tasks and assignments to your own goals. Not every assignment in an online class will resonate with every student. If you feel disengaged from FinTech materials or tasks, find ways to make them connect to your interests.
4. Be organized. Along with scheduling times for assignments and review, you should keep materials and notes organized in ways that serve you. These may be chronological, topical, or visual. You may be able to use FinTech tools like data visualization to create charts or graphs if they help you master course materials.
5. Network with peers. While you may not have the chance to grab coffee with fellow classmates, virtual interactions can serve a common goal. Consider forming a small study group that meets via an online platform like Slack or Google Chat.
6. Work alone as well. A study group can help you, but solving problems independently will give you confidence in your abilities as you move forward. Ask for clarifications during class, but don’t bombard an instructor with email questions.
7. Treat yourself. Most students and busy professionals have hectic lives outside class. Focusing on self-care means getting enough rest, eating right, and maintaining healthy habits to alleviate the stress of adding a course to your schedule.

Key Insights

• The fast-growing FinTech field includes a range of diverse roles, from Python Developers to Financial Analysts. Many of these professionals begin their training through a bootcamp or certificate program.

• The FinTech sector includes products, services, and companies. Common FinTech categories include:
• Mobile payments
• Investment advisory/wealth management
• Consumer banking and lending
• Blockchain technology and cryptocurrency
• Credit reporting service/identity theft protection

• The most prominent pioneers in FinTech include major multinationals, like:
• Amazon
• Samsung
• JPMorgan Chase

• Live online FinTech training includes bootcamps and certificate programs, like the following Noble Desktop offerings:
• FinTech Bootcamp
• Python for Finance Bootcamp
• Financial Modeling Bootcamp

• Additional FinTech educational options include on-demand or self-paced training and free resources like online seminars and tutorials.

• While online learning offers many benefits, a lot of students prefer in-person courses. Successful training online may be easier to attain by following a few guidelines:
• Create a dedicated learning space
• Maintain a schedule for assignments
• Stay organized
• Network with peers
• Solve problems
• Prioritize self-care

Learn FinTech with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Some people think there’s only one path to training for a FinTech career, that of a lengthy degree program, but there are other alternatives. Among the most popular is the bootcamp or certificate training model.

Noble Desktop is a leading provider of online education in areas directly relevant to the booming FinTech field. They provide multiple educational options for students, both those who are new to FinTech and others already working in tech. The following are some of their most popular programs.

1. FinTech Bootcamp - This comprehensive FinTech course is open to beginners and can be completed in four weeks full-time or four months part-time. Topics include SQL and Python for data science, automation, and machine learning.
2. Python for Finance Bootcamp - The 18-hour Python for Finance Bootcamp acquaints students with financial models, managing portfolios with Python, and other Python-centered topics. Students can save by taking this class as part of the FinTech Bootcamp. See course listings for prerequisite information.
3. Financial Modeling Bootcamp - A 21-hour program, the Financial Modeling Bootcamp includes topics like Discount Cash Flow (DCF), Leveraged Buyouts (LBO) Modeling, and financial analysis with MS-Excel. Check course listings for details, including prerequisite information.

Other Noble Desktop programs to consider are the Python Programming Bootcamp, Data Science Certificate, and Python for Data Science Bootcamp.