Embedded Finance: How Non-Fintech Businesses Can Unlock New Revenue Streams

What is Embedded Finance?

Embedded finance is the integration of financial services like payments, lending, insurance, and investment directly into non-financial digital platforms—retail apps, travel sites, e-commerce portals, and more. Businesses can now offer bank-like services without building banking infrastructure from scratch, thanks to powerful APIs.

Table of Contents

1.     Why Embedded Finance Matters for Non-Fintech Businesses

2.     How Power Embedded Finance

3.     Real-World Examples & Use Cases

4.     Creating New Revenue Streams

5.     Best Practices for Successful Integration

6.     Conclusion

Why Embedded Finance Matters for Non-Fintech Businesses

Embedded finance is revolutionizing customer experience and business models for companies outside of the traditional banking space. Here’s how:

1.     Unlock New Revenue Streams: Collect transaction fees, earn interest on embedded lending, receive revenue shares on insurance sales, and more.

2.     Boost Customer Loyalty: Offering financial services within your app keeps customers engaged and more likely to return.

3.     Enhance Customer Experience: Frictionless payments, one-click checkouts, and instant financing lead to higher satisfaction and conversion rates.

4.     Expand Market Reach: Attract customers seeking seamless, all-in-one solutions—no need to visit a bank.

How APIs Power Embedded Finance

With non-fintech businesses can plug in a range of financial APIs—fast, securely, and with minimal coding effort. Key functionalities include:

1.     UPI & Payment APIs: Enable customers to pay digitally or withdraw cash at the point of sale.

2.     Account Creation & KYC APIs: Streamline onboarding with paperless verification.

3.     Insurance APIs: Add convenient, embedded coverage options at checkout or after-sales. 

4.     Investment APIs: Allow users to invest in digital gold, silver, or mutual funds within your platform.

5.     Cash Management & Payout APIs: Manage vendor or supplier payments—ideal for marketplaces and franchises. 

Real-World Examples & Use Cases

1.     Retail: Integrate point-of-sale lending, branded debit/credit cards, or loyalty wallets. Embedded lending and BNPL have been shown to increase conversion rates by up to 30% and order sizes by up to 50%.

2.     E-Commerce: Simplify customer journeys with instant digital payments, embedded insurance, and reward wallets.

3.     Travel: Offer automated currency exchange, prepaid travel cards, and insurance for flights or bookings.

4.     Logistics: Automate vendor payments, enable fast driver payouts, and provide insurance for shipments.

5.     Education & EdTech: Allow parents to buy courses using microloans or flexible subscription models.

Creating New Revenue Streams

Non-fintech businesses leveraging  APIs can monetize in multiple ways:

1.    Transaction Fees: Earn a percentage on every payment or transaction.

2.     Subscription Models: Charge for premium financial features, such as higher spending limits or priority support.

3.     Revenue Sharing: Partner with insurers, banks, or lending providers for commission on products sold.

4.     Interest & Interchange: Generate revenue from loans, cards, or managed accounts.

5.     Data Insights: With consent, monetize aggregate financial data to inform business decisions (always prioritize privacy and compliance).

Best Practices for Successful Integration

To maximize results with embedded finance:

1.     Start with Customer Needs: Identify which features will most benefit your audience.

2.     Choose Secure, Scalable APIs: Ensures easy compliance and robust security.

3.     Design for Seamless UX: Integrate financial features into your core user journey—no clunky redirects.

4.     Monitor, Optimize, and Innovate: Use real-time analytics to see what works, improve continuously, and introduce new services over time.

Conclusion

Embedded finance is no longer just for banks or fintech startups. With platforms, any business—from retail to logistics to education—can unlock new growth opportunities, drive loyalty, and future-proof their offerings by integrating financial services directly where their customers need them most.

Begin your journey by exploring, defining your key use cases, and discovering how you can turn your existing digital touchpoints into profit centers—all while making life simpler and more rewarding for your customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is embedded finance?

Embedded finance is the integration of financial services such as payments, lending, insurance, and investments within non-financial business platforms, allowing them to offer these services directly to their customers.

How can non-fintech businesses benefit?

By integrating APIs, non-fintech businesses can unlock new revenue streams, improve customer loyalty, reduce friction in user experiences, and access more data-driven opportunities.

What kinds of financial services can I embed with APIs?

You can embed UPI payments, Buy Now Pay Later, lending, KYC/account onboarding, insurance, investments (like digital gold/silver), and cash management solutions.

Is the integration process complicated?

 APIs are designed for easy integration, with comprehensive documentation and support, reducing the technical barriers for businesses.

How do businesses earn revenue through embedded finance?

Businesses can earn via transaction fees, subscriptions, revenue sharing with financial service partners, interest/interchange fees, and by providing value-added financial features to customers.

Are APIs secure and compliant?

Yes, APIs adhere to regulatory standards and implement robust security protocols to ensure safe and compliant transactions.

Can my business scale financial services later on?

The platform is flexible and scalable—start with select APIs and add more as your customer base or business needs grow.