When we think about open source, the first thing that comes to mind is collaboration. People from different parts of the world come together, share ideas, write code, solve problems, and build tools that help everyone. This spirit of working together is exactly what the Fintech Open Source Foundation (FINOS) stands for.

FINOS is not just another foundation. It is a global community where developers, financial institutions, and technology leaders come together to shape the future of financial services through open source. Its mission is simple yet powerful: to make financial services more open, more innovative, and more accessible for everyone.

Why FINOS Matters

Finance is at the heart of the modern world. Every day, billions of people use banks, payment systems, trading platforms, and countless financial applications. Yet, much of the technology behind finance has remained closed and difficult to innovate with. FINOS is changing that.

By bringing the open source model into finance, FINOS allows people to:

• Work together on shared challenges
• Reduce duplication of effort across institutions
• Speed up innovation by creating tools that are free and available to everyone
• Build trust and transparency in systems that affect millions of lives

This is not just about writing code. It is about creating a future where finance is more connected, fair, and efficient.

How to Get Involved: A Call to Action

Open source in finance is only at the beginning of its journey, and it needs curious, driven people like you. Ready to make an impact? Here are some specific ways to get started today:

• Contribute to Technical Projects: If you’re a developer, you can dive into projects that are tackling technical challenges head-on. Take a look at CALM (Compliant Algo Logic Manager), a tool for defining and validating system architectures as code, which can help accelerate compliance reviews. You can also contribute to Common Cloud Controls (CCC), an open standard for compliant cloud deployments, or the AI Governance Framework (AIGF), which aims to create a trustworthy and safe approach to AI in finance.
• Help Shape Financial Standards: If you’re a business or data expert, you can explore projects that are shaping financial data standards. Check out FDC3, a standard for desktop interoperability that allows financial apps to share data seamlessly. Or explore the Common Domain Model (CDM), which provides a machine-readable blueprint for how financial products are traded and managed.
• Join the Community: The simplest way to start is to join the conversation. Attend a FINOS event or join a Special Interest Group (SIG) to connect with the community and find a project you are passionate about.

The Mission of FINOS

The mission of FINOS is clear: to bring people and companies together to create open standards and open softwares for the financial industry. FINOS hosts projects that cover everything from data modeling to developer tools, from trading systems to compliance solutions.

Each project is built openly, with contributions from individuals and organizations worldwide. This means that no matter who you are, whether a student, developer, researcher, or someone working in finance, you can play a role in shaping the tools that power global finance.

How FINOS Inspires Communities

One of the most inspiring things about FINOS is how it brings together people who might never have worked side by side. Banks, startups, tech companies, universities, and independent developers all have a seat at the table.

Open source is not just code, it is a movement that breaks barriers, unites people across the globe, and shows us that when minds and hearts come together, industries do not just move forward, they evolve into something greater than we imagined.

My Role and Vision

As part of the FINOS Ambassador Program, my role is to take this message to the wider community. My first activity will be writing this blog to introduce FINOS and its mission to open source and developer communities. But this is only the beginning.

I believe that developers everywhere should know about FINOS and the opportunities it offers. Whether you are passionate about coding, curious about finance, or simply love building in open source, FINOS is a place where your skills can make a real difference.

Be Part of the Movement

Open source in finance is only at the beginning of its journey, and it needs curious, driven people like you. Explore the projects at FINOS, take part in conversations, share your knowledge, and contribute in ways that matter to you. Every small effort builds toward something greater. Together, we can create a financial ecosystem that is open, transparent, and better for all.

Author: Ali Nawaz, FINOS Ambassador, Grandmaster in Google’s ML Campaigns and Community Organizer at TensorFlow User Group Islamabad