This module lays the foundation for understanding how Open Finance builds upon the core ideas of Open Banking. You'll explore how financial data access has evolved from limited banking data to a broader ecosystem that includes investments, insurance, pensions, and more. Through regulatory insights, real-world examples, and guided reflection, you’ll come to understand how and why Open Finance is transforming the future of financial services.

This module explores the strategic purpose of Open Finance: why it exists, who it aims to benefit, and how it is structured to operate ethically and effectively. You’ll learn about the objectives that underpin Open Finance, the principles that guide its implementation (such as consent and data portability), and the regulatory frameworks that govern participation and accountability in open data ecosystems.

APIs are the technical backbone of Open Finance. In this module, you’ll explore how APIs enable secure, real-time data sharing and personalised services across banks, fintechs, and other institutions. You’ll learn about the different types of APIs, from account information to payment initiation, and examine the security, compliance, and consent frameworks that ensure responsible access. The module also covers real-world examples and highlights the opportunities and implementation challenges of building with APIs.

Open Finance is not being implemented in the same way everywhere. This module explores how countries and regions around the world are shaping their own versions of Open Finance, based on local regulations, market dynamics, and digital maturity. You’ll compare government-led and market-led approaches, assess how global lessons are being applied (or not), and identify the key challenges and innovations emerging across jurisdictions.

This final module consolidates your learning from across the course and invites you to reflect on what Open Finance means in your own context. You’ll review the big-picture shifts in data access, infrastructure, regulation, and consumer empowerment, and then apply your learning through a capstone assignment that challenges you to design an inclusive Open Finance strategy for a fictional country.