58% of Europe’s Largest Banks Now Monetize Premium Open Banking APIs Beyond PSD2 Compliance

European banking is undergoing a fundamental shift from mandatory compliance to commercial exploitation of data as 58% of the continent’s largest financial institutions now offer premium API services. For fintech professionals, this signals the end of the "compliance-only" era of PSD2, transforming open banking infrastructure into a direct revenue generator through corporate treasury and embedded finance integrations.

What was announced

A new research report from Salt Edge, titled Beyond compliance: premium APIs as a commercial opportunity for banks, reveals that a majority of Europe’s top 45 banks have moved past the minimum requirements set by the Second Payment Services Directive (PSD2). By analyzing public developer portals as of January 2026, the study found that these institutions are increasingly publishing API services that offer functionality beyond regulatory obligations, specifically targeting corporate treasury, payments, and account information sectors.

The report highlights a strategic divergence in the market. While the EU’s Financial Data Access (FiDA) framework remains stalled in trilogue negotiations, banks are taking independent action to monetize their technology stacks. These "premium" APIs allow for deeper integrations, such as HSBC’s Treasury Payment Initiation API and various embedded ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) connections. Unlike the mandatory free access required for basic account information under PSD2, these premium services utilize diverse commercial models, including usage-based fees, subscription tiers, and revenue-sharing agreements.

Geographically, the trend is led by major players across Europe who view the "Bank of APIs" model as a way to reclaim the relationship with corporate clients. The research suggests that because premium APIs currently remain unaffected by the drafted versions of FiDA and PSD3/PSR, banks have a clear window to establish commercial strategies without waiting for further legislative mandates to dictate the terms of engagement.

"PSD2 forced banks to build open banking infrastructure for compliance, but a growing number are now turning that same infrastructure into a revenue line. NatWest has built its 'Bank of APIs,' Santander Consumer Sweden says its goal is to 'open up more than required,' and according to new Salt Edge research, 58% of Europe's 45 largest banks now publish at least one API service that goes beyond regulatory obligations."

Alina Osadcenco, Junior Content Writer at Salt Edge Inc.

The companies involved

Salt Edge is a global financial technology company that provides open banking solutions, including a gateway for TPPs to access thousands of banks and a compliance toolkit for financial institutions. The company, which also operates as Salt Edge Limited, focuses on bridging the gap between traditional banking infrastructure and the modern API economy.

The report features several of the world's most prominent banking groups. HSBC is a global banking giant with a massive footprint in both retail and corporate finance; it has recently been active in streamlining its international operations, including its retail presence in the Middle East and Africa. NatWest, a major UK-based retail and commercial bank, has been a vocal proponent of the "Bank of APIs" strategy, positioning itself as a leader in the transition toward open finance. Santander Consumer Sweden represents the Nordic arm of the Spanish multinational Banco Santander, one of the largest financial institutions in the world. These banks represent the "incumbent" tier of the market, which is now leveraging its scale to compete with agile fintechs by offering sophisticated, paid-for data services to corporate treasurers and third-party developers.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has closely followed the digital transformation and strategic shifts of the major banks mentioned in the Salt Edge report. In July 2026, we covered how UK Banking Giants Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, and NatWest Adopt New Swift Framework for Instant Global Payments, illustrating the sector's move toward standardized, real-time financial architecture. HSBC’s broader corporate strategy has also been a focal point, with reports on the bank’s geographical restructuring, such as when HSBC to Sell Egypt Retail Banking Operations to Emirates NBD in August 2026. Additionally, we reported on the bank's physical and digital expansion in the Middle East, specifically when HSBC Qatar Launches New Headquarters and Premier Wealth Centre in Msheireb Downtown Doha in June 2026. These stories highlight a period of intense modernization and portfolio optimization for the banks now leading the premium API charge.

What this means

The shift toward premium APIs marks a critical turning point where open banking moves from a cost center to a profit center. For years, the industry narrative focused on banks being "disrupted" by mandatory data sharing; however, this data suggests that the largest incumbents are successfully turning the tables. By offering high-value, paid-for services that go beyond the bare minimum, banks are effectively commoditizing the very fintech tools that were once seen as a threat. This puts significant pressure on pure-play TPPs (Third Party Providers) who must now compete with the banks' own superior, direct-access premium products. The industry is moving toward a two-tier system: a basic, regulated "free" layer and a sophisticated, commercial "premium" layer that will likely define the next decade of corporate banking competition.