Banks are adding more API connections as fintech systems grow, often without matching governance improvements. Info-Tech Research Group says there are serious gaps,like missing API lists, uneven monitoring, and misconfigured gateways – that leave integration points open to risk.
Some banks skip central API gateways when linking with fintechs. Without oversight, teams lose track of system activity and cant manage access, logs, or traffic flow consistently. Cyber criminals are now using automated tools and AI to find weak spots in bank networks. It seems hard to ignore how fast these attacks are evolving.
Info-Tech Research Group released a guide titled Improve Your API Processes to secure Your Fintech Integrations. IT leaders can follow this plan to create detailed records of live APIs, upgrade gateway functions, and review transaction data to spot and fix security flaws. Now, this approach helps ensure policies are enforced across all integrations. The blueprint gives clear steps for improving both visibility and protection in daily operations.
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“APIs serve as the connective tissue linking on-premises systems with cloud, SaaS, and third-party services. However, many financial institutions face a significant challenge in the form of shadow APIs, undocumented or unmanaged interfaces that can outnumber known APIs by as much as ten to one,” says Jon Nelson, principal advisory director at Info-Tech Research Group. “To address this risk, financial institutions must establish comprehensive API security policies, conduct thorough API discovery, and implement enforcement mechanisms such as API gateways to ensure consistent control. Without these foundational measures, the expansion of fintech capabilities may introduce substantially more risk than institutions anticipate.”
Three-Step Framework to Strengthen Fintech API Security
- A full API inventory
starts with teams from enterprise architecture, infrastructure, and apps working together – plus business leaders,to list every API in use. This finds hidden or forgotten endpoints. Without knowing all the APIs, consistent rules and strong security cant be applied. - Assess and Optimize API Gateway Configurations
Teams must check how current their API gateways are. IT and security staff should review settings like login checks, access permissions, traffic limits, monitoring, logs, and certificate handling. These controls need to match industry standards and compliance rules. Otherwise, the system stays vulnerable. - Analyze API Transactions for Security Gaps
App developers, DevSecOps members, and security experts should look at real transaction paths compared to secure models. They spot weak spots in the process. Updates to gateway setups and daily operations follow. Enterprise risk groups oversee this so changes fit the companys risk level.
Without these steps, protection remains uneven – security isn’t built into every part of the system.
By embedding structured API governance and modern gateway capabilities into their operating models, banks can reduce exposure while continuing to innovate at scale. Info-Tech’s blueprint offers a practical roadmap for transitioning from fragmented API management to a cohesive, security-first approach to fintech integration.
This approach enables financial institutions to scale fintech partnerships confidently-without compromising regulatory compliance, operational resilience, or customer trust.
