Nearly 7 in 10 fintech firms proritise adaptability, agility when hiring

69.2% are highly prioritising adaptability and only 7.7% consider qualifications.

Hiring managers in financial technology (fintech) firms in Singapore are prioritising adaptability and agility over formal qualifications in candidates.

A total of 69.2% are highly prioritising these in candidates, Singapore Fintech Association (SFA) said in its FinTech Talent Report 2025.

Only 7.7% see talents’ certifications and formal qualifications as crucial, it added.

This is in contrast with fintech professionals’ ranking technical skills, such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and cybersecurity, as top priorities for the year ahead, SFA said.

Next to adaptability, 46.2% are highly prioritising talents that have a cultural fit and can align with company values, and 38.5% are highly prioritising candidates who have excellent soft skills like communication and teamwork.

That is because whilst technical expertise opens doors for talents, soft skills can get them through them, SFA said.

The trend may be consistent with a SkillsFuture Singapore report, which said that qualifications may not reflect an individual’s skills.

“Employers should look beyond traditional academic qualifications and adopt skills-first practices by clearly defining the capabilities they need rather than relying on qualifications which may not fully reflect an individual’s skills,” the report said.

Regarding entry-level hires, organisations in Singapore are looking for specific skill sets from them as AI use rises, research from IDC commissioned by Deel found.