Embedded finance
Embedded finance is the delivery of financial services, such as accounts, payments, cards or lending, inside a non-financial company's own product, so its users get them without leaving the platform. The platform owns the customer experience. A licensed institution, usually a bank or e-money institution, provides the regulated service behind it.
Examples of embedded finance
| Service | Example |
|---|---|
| Embedded accounts | A marketplace gives each seller an account with its own IBAN, so payouts land inside the platform |
| Embedded payments | Accounting software lets users pay supplier invoices without logging in to a separate provider |
| Embedded cards | Expense or travel software issues company cards that its customers manage in the app |
| Embedded lending | A checkout offers buy now, pay later, or an e-commerce platform offers merchants working capital based on their sales |
| Embedded insurance | Cover is offered at the point of sale, such as shipping or travel insurance |
Who does what
Embedded finance splits the work between the brand the user sees and the regulated firm behind it, usually an e-money institution or a bank.| Layer | Role |
|---|---|
| Platform | Owns the user relationship, the interface and distribution; earns fees or a revenue share |
| Licensed provider | Holds the licence, issues the accounts or cards, holds client funds under safeguarding, runs AML checks on end users and answers to its supervisor |
| Technology layer | APIs that connect the two, often supplied by the licensed provider itself |
Embedded finance vs banking as a service
The two terms describe the same arrangement from opposite ends. Embedded finance is what the end user sees: financial features inside a product that isn't a financial company. Banking as a service is the supply side: a licensed provider exposing accounts, payments and cards through APIs so other companies can build them in. Most embedded finance runs on banking as a service.What platforms should check in a partner
- whose name the IBAN is issued in, the end user's or a pooled account, which affects Verification of Payee results
- who carries out know your business checks on end users, and how much the platform has to collect
- how client funds are safeguarded and what happens if either party fails
- which countries the licence is passported to, and which currencies and payment schemes are covered
- who handles complaints, incidents and fraud cases, and how liability is split in the contract
Embedded finance at Narvi
Narvi offers two ways to embed financial services, both run under its e-money institution licence from the Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority, passported across the EEA. Banking as a Service is for platforms that want to build accounts and payments into their own product through an API. White label banking is for companies that want a branded banking portal for their customers without building one.| Banking as a Service | White label banking | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | API access to accounts, payments and onboarding, built into your own interface | A ready-made online banking portal with your logo, colours and fonts |
| Who builds the interface | Your developers | Narvi, configured with your brand assets |
| Accounts | Dedicated IBANs created by API for each end user, with several per entity where funds must be kept apart | Dedicated IBANs in each customer's own name, plus multi-user access with roles for directors, accountants and staff |
| Payments | SEPA, SEPA Instant and SWIFT to 100+ countries in 75+ currencies; inbound in EUR, USD and GBP | SEPA, SEPA Instant and SWIFT to 100+ countries |
| Integration | REST API with Node.js and Python libraries and real-time webhooks; public documentation | No-code setup; Narvi runs hosting, security updates and new releases |
| Fits | Fintechs, marketplaces, PSPs, SaaS platforms, crypto companies | Crypto exchanges and OTC desks, iGaming operators, accounting and legal firms, startup accelerators |
FAQ
The financial services in it are. The licensed provider is supervised; the platform is regulated only to the extent its role requires, for example as a registered agent or distributor.
Not usually, if a licensed partner provides the service and the platform never holds client funds. It depends on the exact role, so get legal advice.
No. Open banking lets third parties read account data or start payments from accounts held elsewhere, with the customer's consent. Embedded finance can use it, but often provides the accounts themselves.
Banking as a service gives a platform APIs to build financial features into its own interface. White label banking gives it a finished banking portal under its own brand. The licensed provider behind both is the same; the difference is who builds and runs the interface.
Related terms and sources
Payment service provider (PSP) · E-money institution (EMI) · Verification of Payee · Know your business (KYB) · Ultimate beneficial owner · Browse the full glossary
Last reviewed October 23, 2026Disclaimer
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Narvi Payments Oy Ab or its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice from Narvi Payments Oy Ab or its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
Solutions
IBAN Accounts For Your Business
Commencez ici
A propos de Narvi (EN)
Alternative Investment Funds [whitepaper]Family Offices [whitepaper]Shipping Industry [whitepaper]How to Open a Business Account in FinlandNarvi vs. Wise, Revolut, N26, and other alternativesNarvi vs. Stable.comNarvi vs. payabl.Narvi vs. ConnectPayNarvi vs. IBAN4UNarvi vs. GenomeBlogPayments Glossary
Narvi Payments Oy Ab est un établissement de monnaie électronique agréé (EMI). La licence IME de Narvi est accordée par l'Autorité finlandaise de surveillance financière (FIN FSA) avec le numéro d'enregistrement 3190214-6. La licence de Narvi est passeportée pour tous les pays de l'Union européenne.
Construite et réglementée en Finlande© 2026 Narvi. All Rights Reserved.
v1.325.0