‍Insights from PaymentGenes Recruitment Consultants – Harrison Williams

As we move deeper into 2026, fintech hiring remains cautiously optimistic. According to recruiters at PaymentGenes, the market is stabilising after a volatile 2024, with strategic hiring picking up in select roles and regions.

Fintech Hiring Regains Focus

After a pause in aggressive growth plans last year, companies are resuming their market presence with targeted hiring strategies. Demand is strongest in roles directly linked to product scalability and regulatory alignment.

“Compliance, AI talent, and experienced finance leaders continue to top the list,” notes Harrison Williams, Team Lead at PaymentGenes. “There’s also increasing emphasis on hiring profiles that can demonstrate cross-functional value, especially in smaller firms.”

Rise of Flexible Hires & Cross-Border Talent

Hiring has become more global. European fintechs, particularly in the Netherlands and Spain, are increasingly open to remote or hybrid roles to attract top talent in AI, data, and engineering.

“We’re seeing more openness to cross-border talent than ever before. Teams are distributed by design now, especially in data and software roles.”

Candidates Regaining Leverage?

While many firms are still cautious about budgets, the best candidates are starting to regain bargaining power. Recruiters report more frequent counteroffers, salary negotiations, and demand for flexibility.

“Talented engineers and compliance experts know they’re in demand again. Some clients are being caught off guard when it comes to candidate expectations.”

Recommendations for Companies & Candidates

For Companies: Move Faster, Focus on Value

Slow hiring processes are still costing companies top talent.

Key tips for companies:

• Shorten your hiring cycles and improve communication at each stage
• Clearly articulate your employer value proposition (beyond salary)
• Be flexible with remote/hybrid work to access a broader talent pool
• Invest in retention to avoid costly backfills in Q4
  

For Candidates: Be Clear on Your Value & Intentions

2026 offers strong opportunities, but expectations for clarity and impact are higher. Candidates should:

Key tips for candidates:

• Show measurable outcomes in past roles
• Align expectations early(salary, flexibility, role scope)
• Research company stability and long-term vision
• Leverage your network—referrals and recommendations matter
  

About the Report

This interview is part of the PaymentGenes Salary & Hiring Trends Report in collaboration with MPE, which combines hard salary data with first-hand recruiter insights to give companies and candidates a realistic view of today’s fintech job market.

👉 Download the full report to explore salary benchmarks, role-specific trends, and expert guidance for navigating today’s fintech hiring landscape.