Analiza jakosciowa otwartej bankowości w Polsce – perspektywa ekspertów rynkowych

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present an in-depth analysis of the development of open banking in Poland based on interviews conducted with market experts representing financial institutions and regulatory authorities. The article identifies both the benefits and implementation barriers of open banking, with particular emphasis on the quality of APIs (application programming interfaces), system interoperability, and the impact of regulatory frameworks on service innovation and security. Methodology: This qualitative study was conducted using structured interviews with market experts representing banks, fintech companies, regulatory authorities, and independent industry consultants. The selection of experts was purposive, with inclusion criteria based on their expertise in open banking and professional or supervisory experience in the field of payment services. The interviews followed a pre-designed questionnaire that included questions related to regulations and legal frameworks, licensing procedures, cooperation with market participants, API standards, and the consistency between the API testing environment and the production environment. With the consent of each interviewee, the conversations were recorded and subsequently transcribed. The transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis using coding techniques. The data analysis process was iterative, enabling the identification of recurring themes as well as unique insights provided by the experts. Findings: The findings indicate that the quality of APIs (application programming interfaces), effective collaboration between banks and third-party providers (TPPs), and the continued standardization of technological solutions are crucial for the development of open banking in Poland. The experts emphasized that the implementation of Directive PSD2 has compelled an enhancement of security standards and fostered increased market collaboration within new business models. They also noted that API standardization, transparent documentation, and technical reliability significantly reduce integration time. Furthermore, experts highlighted the growing importance of cooperation between banks and fintech companies, as well as the need for further harmonization of technical standards. Among the most frequently identified barriers were the fragmentation of API solutions and the high costs associated with maintenance and regulatory compliance. Research limitations/implications: The research findings are based on the opinions of experts drawing on their professional experience and roles within financial institutions. This study did not include the perspective of end consumers (Payment Service Users, PSUs) representing the demand side of the market, focusing exclusively on experts from the financial services sector constituting the supply side. The obtained results provide the basis for recommendations addressed to regulators and financial institutions, aimed at enhancing the efficiency, security, and competitiveness of open banking in Poland. Originality/value: The originality of this study lies in the use of structured interviews with 21 market experts, which enabled an in-depth analysis of practical aspects related to the implementation of open banking in Poland. The value of the research stems from the identification of key success factors and barriers to the development of open banking from the practitioners’ perspective, as well as from the formulation of recommendations aimed at improving API quality, security, and cross-sectoral cooperation. The findings may serve as a foundation for further research and as guidance for regulators and financial institutions in enhancing open banking services.