SOC 2 for fintech companies
Fintech companies face security diligence from banking partners, sponsors, and enterprise customers. SOC 2, an AICPA attestation performed by a CPA firm, is the report they most often ask to see.
Why it matters for fintech
A bank or platform partner will not integrate with a fintech that cannot evidence its controls. SOC 2 is table stakes for those partnerships, and for fintech it usually needs more than the Security criterion alone.
What to focus on
Beyond the required Security criterion, fintechs commonly add Availability (uptime commitments matter for money movement) and Confidentiality (you handle sensitive financial data). Include only the criteria you actually commit to.
Auditors and partners scrutinize privileged access, segregation of duties around money movement, and change management. These are the controls that protect against both fraud and error.
If you touch card payments you likely need PCI DSS as well. Many controls (access, logging, vulnerability management) serve both, so collecting evidence once covers more than one obligation.
Do it once, not twice
Keel is built on one crosswalked control library, so a control you implement for SOC 2 counts toward every other framework it satisfies. Add a second framework later and it mostly reuses this work. See the crosswalk explorer for the exact overlap.
Start free Check your readinessCommon questions
Does a fintech need SOC 2 and PCI DSS?
Often yes: SOC 2 for general security assurance to partners, and PCI DSS if you store, process, or transmit cardholder data. They share many controls, so on Keel the overlap is reused rather than repeated.
How fast can a fintech get SOC 2 ready?
It depends on your starting posture. Keel accelerates it with a curated control set, continuous evidence tracking, and reuse across frameworks. Try the readiness self-assessment to gauge where you stand.
Framework names are referenced factually for guidance. Keel is not affiliated with or endorsed by the bodies that publish them. See our legal and trademarks page.