Should Banks Go Serverless? Pros, Cons, and Real Examples

Article written by Miha Hribar ??

A straightforward look at how serverless technology can change banking, its benefits, challenges, and a case study.

This article explores the shift to serverless computing in banking. It covers the benefits of scalability and efficiency, the challenges faced, and a real example from Capital One. A concise guide for anyone interested in the future of banking technology.

Should banks embrace Serverless Infrastructure? A balanced exploration

As the financial sector evolves, banks increasingly contemplate the shift from legacy on-premise systems to more dynamic cloud solutions. These traditional systems, often cumbersome and inflexible, contrast sharply with the promise of serverless architecture—a solution that aligns remarkably well with the banking industry’s event-based processes. The serverless architecture market, exceeding USD 9 billion in 2022 with a projection to grow at over 25% CAGR from 2023 to 2032, underscores the critical shift towards more dynamic, efficient, and scalable computing solutions in industries, especially fintech. This rapid adoption speaks volumes about the transformative potential serverless holds for the banking sector.

Event-based workloads ideal for serverless migration:

• Batch Transaction Processing: Handling vast volumes of transactions efficiently.
• Monthly Report Generation: Streamlining financial reporting without manual intervention.
• Data Archiving and Exporting: Securely managing historical data.
• Scheduled Bill Notifications: Automating customer communication.
• Data Analysis for Personalised Offers: Leveraging real-time insights to enhance customer experience.

?? (Pros) The Compelling Case for Serverless in Banking:

Serverless architecture offers scalability, cost efficiency, and enhanced productivity, crucial for banks facing fluctuating demand and stringent security requirements.

• Scalability: Automatically adjusts resources, ensuring banks only pay for what they use, significantly reducing costs.
• Productivity: Liberates developers from server management tasks, fast-tracking product development.
• Security: Incorporates built-in features like encryption and identity management to meet banking security mandates.

?? (Cons) Navigating Serverless Challenges:

Despite its advantages, serverless isn’t without its hurdles, such as cold starts and debugging complexities. Yet, these challenges are manageable with strategic planning and technology choices:

• Cold Starts: Keep functions warm with periodic invocations or use more responsive cloud services to mitigate latency.
• Statelessness: Implement high-performance databases for session management, ensuring transaction integrity.
• Security and Compliance: Rigorous adherence to cloud security best practices and regulatory standards safeguards against breaches and non-compliance.

?? Integration and Vendor Lock-in:

Banks deeply embedded in legacy systems must strategise carefully to integrate serverless technologies, potentially employing hybrid solutions during the transition. Diversifying cloud services can also minimise the risk of vendor lock-in, ensuring banks retain flexibility in their cloud architecture.

?? A Real-World Example:

For an in-depth look at serverless in action within the banking sector, consider exploring the AWS Case Study on Capital One below. All in all, Capital One's journey to serverless computing exemplifies the transformative potential within the banking sector.

"By adopting AWS's serverless technologies, we've not only accelerated our software development cycles but also significantly reduced our environmental footprint by optimising resource usage," says Rob Alexander, CIO of Capital One.

This move towards more sustainable computing practices aligns with the growing emphasis on environmental responsibility in the financial sector.

??Conclusion:

Serverless architecture, with its scalability, efficiency, and innovation potential, represents a forward-thinking choice for banks willing to navigate its challenges. As the industry moves towards more agile and cost-effective solutions, serverless stands out as a pathway to modernising banking operations and delivering enhanced customer experiences.

?? Links to explore more:

• AWS Case Study on Capital One: Capital One's Cloud Journey with AWS. This case study demonstrates how Capital One embraced cloud computing to innovate and improve customer experiences.
• Global banking & Finance review: Revolutionizing Fintech: The Transformative Impact of Serverless Architecture