Exploring the effects of FinTech adoption on traditional banking: A systematic literature review on opportunities and challenges

The rise of financial technology (FinTech) is transforming financial services and reshaping traditional banking by driving innovation while challenging established institutions. This study systematically reviews existing research to understand the impact of FinTech adoption in traditional banking and explores emerging trends using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and a bibliometric analysis of Scopus data from 2003 to May 27, 2025. The review identifies a growing body of research in FinTech and traditional banking, with China contributing 20.38%, followed by Malaysia 6.24%, India 5.76%, Jordan 5.51%, and Indonesia with 4.55% of the total studies, respectively. According to the review, 48.57% reported a positive impact, 15.24% negative impact, and 36.19% mixed impact of FinTech on traditional banking. Additionally, 37.46% and 37.14% of studies suggest that FinTech adoption is frequently associated with improved customer experience and increased performance, respectively. Similarly, 30.16%, 24.13%, and 22.86% of studies highlight FinTech's role in improving competitiveness, cost efficiency, and better risk management, respectively. However, 34.29% of studies caution about potential risks associated with FinTech adoption. Furthermore, 24.76% reveal financial and operational challenges and increased direct competition, while adverse influence on bank efficiency and profitability is noted by 11.75% studies, respectively. The outcome of this review suggests that over-reliance on FinTech could introduce operational risks and erode the competitive advantages of the traditional banks, highlighting the need for evolving regulatory frameworks. These synthesized insights could be essential for banking professionals, policymakers, regulators, and tech developers to strike a balance between innovation and financial stability in the digital age.