From Local to Global: Fintech Localization Case Studies That Will Inspire You

Is your fintech business ready to go global? It could be the game-changing move you need to take your company to new levels. However, it's crucial to get it right. That is where fintech localization comes in. By tailoring your product or service to local markets, you can increase your chances of success.
Plenty of fintechs have already made the leap with great results. But what is their secret? How did they achieve success in foreign markets?
In this article, we'll take a closer look at their fintech localization case studies and learn from their victory.

How Fintech Localization helped Fintech Firms to go Global?


When it comes to creating standout customer experiences in the financial services industry, localization is a critical piece of the puzzle. As Nik Milanović, general partner at The Fintech Fund and former head of BD & Strategy at Google, puts it: "Financial services markets and the products available to consumers vary greatly around the world. To truly connect with customers and help them solve their financial needs, fintechs must localize their offerings."
That's why it's no surprise that many fintech apps are translating their content into multiple languages. In fact, according to Appfigures:

1. 80% of the top financial apps in the US are bilingual or more.

2. 35% of the apps in their sample are available in 10 or more languages.

3. Only 10% of the fintech apps in the sample use a single language.

In today's global marketplace, fintechs that prioritize localization are better positioned to meet the needs of a diverse range of customers, no matter where they are in the world.

4 Real-World successful Fintech Localization Examples


WeChat Pay:


WeChat Pay, a payment solution in WeChat. It's available in 117 countries that allows users to make swift and secure payments via Quick Pay, QR Code Payments, In-App Web-Based Payments, and Native In-App Payments. It started in China and was called “Weixin Pay”. Through the years it became one of the dominant fintech services in China and the largest competitor to Alipay – owned by Alibaba.

They are now available in over 60 countries and regions, primarily in Asia, but also in Europe, North America, and Oceania. To go along with this huge expansion, they localized their app to at least five other languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai among others.

Offering this number of languages has been beneficial for WeChat Pay as it helped them to increase the accessibility to users in diverse countries and regions, simplifying the platform use. Fintech localization helped the app to expand its reach beyond Chinese-speaking users and appeal to a broader international audience. This has helped to increase its users base, transactions, and revenue generated through the platform.

Wise:


TransferWise or Wise has a great story. Wise purpose is “Building money without borders — making it move faster, more conveniently, and eventually for free”.
They started in 2011 and now available in over fifty countries including Turkey, and India. According to them 30% of their customers prefer a non-English language. TransferWise is adopting a multi-faceted approach to localize their advertisements, including customizing the copy, creative elements, and voiceovers. Their strategy to establish themselves as the go-to transfer method is reinforced by featuring local skylines and highlighting the unique essence of each country.
Fintech localization helped in their growth among other factors. This is how localization helped them:

- Meeting the unique needs and preferences of customers in different markets, leading to the expansion of its customer base and increasing the adoption of its platform.

- Tailoring Wise’s messaging and advertising to resonate with customers in different markets led to brand awareness and loyalty in different regions.

- Fintech localization has been an effective key for global growth strategy to establish a strong presence in different markets and to differentiate itself from competitors.

Revolut:

Revolut is a digital banking and financial technology company that offers a range of financial services, including currency exchange, cryptocurrency exchange, peer-to-peer payments, and budgeting tools. It was founded in 2015 in the United Kingdom and has since expanded to serve customers in over 30 countries worldwide.

Revolut operates primarily through its mobile app, which allows users to manage their finances on-the-go and has gained popularity for its low fees and flexible account options.
In 2020 Revolut had only 9million customer, in 2022 they reached 20mil+ customers. And the secret behind this success is Fintech Localization.

PayPal:

PayPal is the market leader in online payment systems. It operates across more than 200 countries and in 26 currencies. The company's platform used fintech localization by collaborating with local banks, integrating with payment systems, and offering multi-language support, allowing customers to transact in their preferred language and currency across borders with ease.

PayPal's services are tailored to meet the needs of different markets. For example, in China, the company partnered with UnionPay to allow users to link their UnionPay cards to their PayPal accounts. In India, PayPal's "one touch" checkout experience enables users to pay using their mobile phone number and a one-time password. They also offer customer support in multiple languages, ensuring that users can easily resolve any issues they encounter.

To establish credibility with your clients and connect with them on a personal level, it's crucial to have content and services that are seamlessly localized and resonate with their language and culture. Fintech localization is the essential ingredient that can help you achieve this goal.

At Saudisoft, we have a proven track record of helping hundreds of clients go global and achieve their localization objectives. Our expertise in fintech localization enables us to create customized solutions that cater to your target audience's specific needs and preferences. With our help, you can gain a competitive edge in the international market and expand your reach to new horizons. Trust us to help you unlock your business's full potential and take it to the next.