FinTech vacancies throughout the UK are predicted to rise by almost 14 per cent in 2026, according to new data from Morgan McKinley, even as the sector becomes more selective in the roles for which it hires.

The Fintech UK Finance Labour Market Trends report from Morgan McKinley and Vacancysoft predicts that firms will focus on expanding operational roles in 2026, with infrastructure, compliance, and engineering roles prioritised.

IT infrastructure roles within FinTech are projected to rise almost 31 per cent, while IT support roles will drop from 17 to nine per cent, the report said.

Hiring for legal and risk compliance roles is forecast to fall four per cent even as credit analyst hiring is projected to rise 46 per cent and hiring for anti-money laundering (AML) risk and compliance roles by 28 per cent.

The data also reveals that payments infrastructure providers and software providers focused on SMEs are growing headcount faster than neobanks. FinTechs Radius and SumUp Payments are projected to increase hiring 42.3 per cent and 27.8 per cent respectively, while Starling Bank and Monzo are projected to reduce hiring in 2026.

Stiven Muccioli, chief executive of financial operating system and technology provider BKN301, said:“For years, UK fintech was driven by a race to launch the next flashy app or scale at all costs. But behind the rapid growth, many fintechs built on fragmented or fragile architecture that is now a barrier to growth and increases operational risk.

“The sharp rise in demand for engineering and IT infrastructure shows that the priority is now the ‘plumbing’ beneath, reflecting a wider industry reset towards building stronger financial foundations. After all, investors today are backing businesses that can prove resilience and long-term scalability.”

London is expected to account for 71 per cent of all FinTech hiring over the period, with IT vacancies alone set to rise by 18 per cent across the region compared with less than one per cent across the rest of Britain.

Muccioli added that evolution across the sector, particularly rising demand for deep engineering and financial architecture expertise, is changing London’s status as a fintech hub.

“While it will always be a place where globally recognised consumer FinTech brands like Monzo and Revolut are built, London is increasingly becoming a centre for financial infrastructure,” he said.

“The city is now also where the technology, compliance, and payment architecture underpinning the future of financial services are created.”

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