Which FinTech Training Format Is Right for Me?

When comparing types of FinTech training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right kind of training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to find out more about the different formats of FinTech training, how they compare to each other, and how to determine which is best for you.

What is FinTech?

FinTech stands for financial technology. Multinational corporations like Apple and Google offer FinTech services, but many smaller companies specialize in FinTech products and services. Some companies classify themselves as FinTechs, such as Venmo, Stripe, and Robinhood.

Banking as a Service (BaaS), PayPal’s platform, and Ethereum’s platform may be referenced as products or services, depending on the source. While the term FinTech can encompass a bewildering array of services, products, and companies, consider any financial technology under the FinTech heading. Mobile banking, digital lending and credit, financial advisory services, and cryptocurrencies all fall into the category of FinTech.

Read more about what FinTech is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with FinTech?

FinTech refers to the many Financial Technology products and services you can use today and some of the companies that offer them. Consider FinTech as an umbrella term referring to three main categories:

1. Services - On a basic level, many FinTech services may be considered products, and vice versa. PayPal is a service, but the platform of services PayPal offers may be called a product itself. To simplify matters, look at services that are now commonly provided and named as such: Banking as a Service (BaaS), payment services like Venmo, and investment services like Robinhood.

1. Products - FinTech products range from the payment app you use on your smart device every day to robo-advisors and digital banking. Currencies aren’t typically referred to as products, but cryptocurrencies certainly fall into the product category as opposed to a service.

1. FinTech Companies - Organizations like Visa and Mastercard top the list of major FinTech companies in the U.S., followed by Tencent and Ant Financial in China, then U.S. companies Intuit, PayPal, and Stripe. These firms offer FinTech products or services, and people generally refer to the companies themselves as “FinTechs.”

Additional FinTech products, services, and technological innovations include wealth management, insurance (a.k.a., “insurtech”), and credit reporting/identity theft protection services.

Training Formats for FinTech

To learn more about FinTech, consider the four basic approaches to learning: in-person training, live online courses, free seminars and tutorials, and on-demand classes.

Consider the pros and cons of each, recognizing that free online resources will only take you so far. Ultimately, you’ll want to get formal training, either in a classroom or online through teleconferencing.

In-Person FinTech Training

Among the most engaging methods of FinTech training, in-person classes offer a host of benefits. While not everyone wants to drive to a class, many students feel face-to-face training in an interactive environment best supports their learning style. In-person coursework also allows participants to network with fellow students and instructors.

Noble Desktop and other course providers offer a multitude of in-person training options. Top courses include bootcamps and certificate programs, many of which focus primarily on FinTech. Here students can learn about everything from Python programming to cryptocurrency and financial modeling. For those interested mainly in Python, Noble also hosts a Python for Finance Bootcamp, a Machine Learning & Automation for Finance Bootcamp, and a Python for Data Science Bootcamp.

Live Online FinTech Training

Once someone has oriented themselves in the wide world of FinTech, it’s time to look at some of the best ways to learn it in more depth.

Many course providers offer in-person as well as online training. Noble Desktop hosts many of its top FinTech classes and bootcamps at its Madison Avenue campus in New York City. However, you can also take a variety of these same courses online from wherever you are.

The best bootcamps and certificate programs provide hands-on training in an immersive environment. Online learning provides additional benefits: you learn at your own pace, and experienced instructors can answer your questions in real-time.

With FinTech, combining Python fundamentals training, financial analysis, and machine learning can be confusing if you try to study it independently. Consider the benefits of some of Noble Desktop’s most popular courses:

1. FinTech Bootcamp - This 102-hour immersive training in FinTech basics prepares you for an entry-level position in data science, financial analysis, or another role. While open to FinTech beginners, applicants for this bootcamp should have familiarity with financial statements, stock market fundamentals, and financial concepts like Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and net present value (NPV).

1. Python for Finance Bootcamp - Noble’s FinTech Bootcamp focuses on Python for Automation, Machine Learning, and Data Science. This Python for Finance Bootcamp is also part of that extended curriculum. Or save by taking the course within the FinTech Bootcamp, or take it separately. Applicants starting here should be familiar with Python for data science and financial concepts. See course listings for more detailed prerequisite information.

1. Financial Modeling Bootcamp - The Financial Modeling Bootcamp is a standalone program, not currently available as part of other certificates. Students who want to work in investment banking, private equity, or financial advisory services will find this a perfect introduction. Intermediate experience with Excel is needed, so check course details for specific requirements.

Other Python-centered Noble Desktop courses to consider include the Python Programming Bootcamp and Python for Data Science Bootcamp.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you’re not yet ready to commit to a full-length course, you can start learning about FinTech for free online. Check out Noble Desktop’s Get Started In Data Science seminar or their Intro to Python Fundamentals seminar. In these free introductory courses, you’ll learn about subjects like data science, practical uses of Python, and how to analyze datasets, among others.

Additional course providers who offer free online classes include Global FinTech Academy and FBS Markets, Inc. You’ll find offerings on topics like Regulatory Technology (RegTech), FinTech applications, and FinTech Law and Policy, to name a few.

Read about more free FinTech videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

On-demand FinTech training may be another option you’d like to explore. These courses provide students with a self-paced method of learning all about FinTech. Featured topics include database management, SQL, financial modeling, and machine learning, to name a few. Check course listings for details, including any prerequisite information.

Comparison of FinTech Training Formats

• Free Online Resources - Price is the main benefit of free online resources. You don’t have to invest anything in them, but they can only serve as a starting point. The sheer volume of online videos and articles can be overwhelming, and sorting the good from the bad can prove impossible.

• On-Demand Classes - While on-demand FinTech programs range in cost from free to thousands of dollars, these courses have their pros and cons. A live online class may offer the accountability and interaction you’ll need to succeed if you prefer to learn from home.

• Live Online Programs - FinTech training via teleconferencing provides an excellent compromise if you can’t attend an in-person class. You can learn anywhere, but with the same guidance and feedback you’d get from an in-person class.

• In-Person Training - Most students report that live, instructor-led FinTech courses offer the greatest benefits. Learning Python fundamentals, financial analysis, and essential tools like SQL in the classroom appeals to participants at all levels.

Consider also why you’re learning the topic: your career as a Data Scientist or Financial Analyst may depend on your ability to train in your preferred learning environment, get help outside of class, and make the most of your time.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself FinTech?

In a word: unlikely.

The internet offers a massive amount of FinTech video seminars, tutorials, and blog posts. But if you’re a FinTech novice, you have no way of knowing which ones are helpful and which are inaccurate.

Although you can learn fundamental concepts of FinTech by watching videos, following tutorials, or reading articles, it’s essential to have an instructor with expertise in the topic. Unless you plan to launch a startup yourself, learning FinTech for professional reasons demands formal training.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn FinTech

If you’re not ready to commit to a full-length FinTech course, you might want to start with a free seminar or tutorial. Noble Desktop’s Intro to Python Fundamentals or Intro to SQL can be a great place to start.

However, to develop a solid foundation in FinTech, plug a skill gap, or uplevel to another position from your current role, a FinTech Bootcamp may be your best bet. These high-level courses offer comprehensive training in a hands-on environment and include a verified Certificate of Completion.

Want to master FinTech for a new career or pivot to a new industry? Many FinTech beginners go into areas like data science, machine learning, or artificial intelligence. Noble’s Data Science Certificate program will teach FinTech fundamentals like Python, including libraries like Pandas and NumPy.

Your preferred method of learning, prior FinTech knowledge, and factors like budget and availability will also factor into your decision-making process. Whichever direction you choose, a formal program can offer you the biggest bang for your buck.

Learn FinTech with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Some people think there’s only one path to training for a FinTech career, that of a lengthy degree program, but there are other alternatives. Among the most popular is the bootcamp or certificate training model.

Noble Desktop is a leading provider of online education in areas directly relevant to the booming FinTech field. They provide multiple educational options for students, both those who are new to FinTech and others already working in tech. The following are some of their most popular programs.

1. FinTech Bootcamp - This comprehensive FinTech course is open to beginners and can be completed in four weeks full-time or four months part-time. Topics include SQL and Python for data science, automation, and machine learning.

1. Python for Finance Bootcamp - The 18-hour Python for Finance Bootcamp acquaints students with financial models, managing portfolios with Python, and other Python-centered topics. Students can save by taking this class as part of the FinTech Bootcamp. See course listings for prerequisite information.

1. Financial Modeling Bootcamp - A 21-hour program, the Financial Modeling Bootcamp includes topics like Discount Cash Flow (DCF), Leveraged Buyouts (LBO) Modeling, and financial analysis with MS-Excel. Check course listings for details, including prerequisite information.

Other Noble Desktop programs to consider are the Python Programming Bootcamp, Data Science Certificate, and Python for Data Science Bootcamp.