GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Payment Card Industry Statistics

Diversity and inclusion boost payment industry performance, innovation, loyalty.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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65% of consumers feel more loyal to brands that prioritize diversity and inclusion

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70% of young consumers favor brands that demonstrate commitment to social justice issues

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47% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion

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75% of Generation Z consumers prefer brands with inclusive marketing

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28% of fintech firms report no diversity initiatives at all

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20% of payment card industry firms have mandated training programs on diversity, equity, and inclusion

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40% of payment card companies have diversity as part of their corporate strategy

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33% of payment companies have dedicated diversity officers or committees

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58% of financial organizations have set measurable goals for improving diversity and inclusion

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70% of industry leaders agree that implementing DEI initiatives enhances corporate reputation

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55% of fintech organizations have formalized DEI policies

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46% of payment industry firms provide DEI training for new hires

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56% of financial institutions have diversity and inclusion councils or committees

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68% of companies see increased employee retention after implementing DEI programs

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Minority-led firms in the payment industry raised 25% less venture capital on average compared to non-minority-led firms

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85% of payment industry HR managers believe implementing DEI initiatives improves employee engagement

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52% of payment industry firms have implemented unconscious bias training

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30% of global payment firms have specific initiatives targeting underrepresented groups

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48% of consumers say they prefer to use payment apps that promote financial inclusion

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65% of companies say that diversity and inclusion lead to better customer understanding

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62% of consumers are more likely to use payment services that actively promote diversity

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43% of consumers prefer payment platforms that demonstrate inclusivity in their advertising

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80% of payment companies plan to expand their diversity initiatives in the next 3 years

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Women hold approximately 36% of decision-making roles in the payment card industry

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42% of payment industry executives believe that greater diversity improves company performance

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54% of employees in the payment card industry feel that their workplace is not sufficiently inclusive

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30% of digital payment startups are founded by women

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55% of minority employees in payments report experiencing bias or discrimination at work

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The percentage of women in payment industry executive roles increased from 22% to 36% between 2019 and 2023

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15% of leadership positions in the digital payments sector are filled by underrepresented groups

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Companies with high racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially

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Women comprise 29% of fintech workforce globally

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60% of minority employees report a lack of mentorship opportunities

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45% of fintech startups have at least one woman in their founding team

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25% of employees in the payment card industry believe that diversity initiatives are superficial or ineffective

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22% of companies have diversity and inclusion metrics incorporated into executive compensation packages

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The percentage of LGBTQ+ representation among senior leadership in payment companies is estimated at 8%

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55% of fintech executives believe diversity improves innovation

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38% of minorities report feeling underrepresented in leadership roles within the payment industry

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50% of companies have experienced challenges in recruiting diverse talent for payment roles

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21% of the payment industry workforce is from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups

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31% of fintech employees report negative experiences related to their race or gender at work

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27% of women in the payment industry have experienced gender-based harassment

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44% of fintech funding rounds are invested in companies with diverse founding teams

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Only 18% of leadership roles in fintech are held by minorities

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Companies with diverse leadership are 1.8 times more likely to be profitably performed

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Only 12% of senior leaders in the payment card industry are people of color

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Key Highlights

Women hold approximately 36% of decision-making roles in the payment card industry
42% of payment industry executives believe that greater diversity improves company performance
Only 18% of leadership roles in fintech are held by minorities
54% of employees in the payment card industry feel that their workplace is not sufficiently inclusive
Companies with diverse leadership are 1.8 times more likely to be profitably performed
30% of digital payment startups are founded by women
28% of fintech firms report no diversity initiatives at all
65% of consumers feel more loyal to brands that prioritize diversity and inclusion
55% of minority employees in payments report experiencing bias or discrimination at work
20% of payment card industry firms have mandated training programs on diversity, equity, and inclusion
The percentage of women in payment industry executive roles increased from 22% to 36% between 2019 and 2023
Minority-led firms in the payment industry raised 25% less venture capital on average compared to non-minority-led firms
70% of young consumers favor brands that demonstrate commitment to social justice issues

Despite spending billions on technology, the payment card industry is still grappling with profound diversity and inclusion challenges, with women occupying just 36% of decision-making roles and minorities facing systemic barriers—yet companies that prioritize DEI are reaping greater profits, stronger innovation, and increased consumer loyalty.

Consumer Preferences and Loyalty

65% of consumers feel more loyal to brands that prioritize diversity and inclusion
70% of young consumers favor brands that demonstrate commitment to social justice issues
47% of consumers are more likely to shop with brands that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion
75% of Generation Z consumers prefer brands with inclusive marketing

Consumer Preferences and Loyalty Interpretation

These statistics reveal that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion isn't just socially responsible—it's now a strategic imperative for brands aiming to secure consumer loyalty across generations, especially among the influential and discerning Generation Z.

Corporate Initiatives and Policies on Diversity

28% of fintech firms report no diversity initiatives at all
20% of payment card industry firms have mandated training programs on diversity, equity, and inclusion
40% of payment card companies have diversity as part of their corporate strategy
33% of payment companies have dedicated diversity officers or committees
58% of financial organizations have set measurable goals for improving diversity and inclusion
70% of industry leaders agree that implementing DEI initiatives enhances corporate reputation
55% of fintech organizations have formalized DEI policies
46% of payment industry firms provide DEI training for new hires
56% of financial institutions have diversity and inclusion councils or committees
68% of companies see increased employee retention after implementing DEI programs

Corporate Initiatives and Policies on Diversity Interpretation

While over half of payment card industry firms are actively cultivating diversity and inclusion with measurable goals and dedicated committees, a notable 28% remain untouched by DEI initiatives, reminding us that progress in the fintech sector is uneven—highlighting both the strides made and the work yet to be done to ensure representation and equity are not just buzzwords but foundational to industry growth.

Diversity and Inclusion in Financial and Payment Industries

Minority-led firms in the payment industry raised 25% less venture capital on average compared to non-minority-led firms
85% of payment industry HR managers believe implementing DEI initiatives improves employee engagement
52% of payment industry firms have implemented unconscious bias training
30% of global payment firms have specific initiatives targeting underrepresented groups
48% of consumers say they prefer to use payment apps that promote financial inclusion
65% of companies say that diversity and inclusion lead to better customer understanding
62% of consumers are more likely to use payment services that actively promote diversity
43% of consumers prefer payment platforms that demonstrate inclusivity in their advertising
80% of payment companies plan to expand their diversity initiatives in the next 3 years

Diversity and Inclusion in Financial and Payment Industries Interpretation

While payment industry firms recognize that diversity and inclusion can boost customer loyalty and employee engagement—highlighted by consumer preferences for inclusive platforms and a majority planning expansion—minority-led startups still face the uphill challenge of securing venture capital, underscoring that progression in policies must match tangible investment.

Gender, Minority, and LGBTQ+ Workforce Statistics

Women hold approximately 36% of decision-making roles in the payment card industry
42% of payment industry executives believe that greater diversity improves company performance
54% of employees in the payment card industry feel that their workplace is not sufficiently inclusive
30% of digital payment startups are founded by women
55% of minority employees in payments report experiencing bias or discrimination at work
The percentage of women in payment industry executive roles increased from 22% to 36% between 2019 and 2023
15% of leadership positions in the digital payments sector are filled by underrepresented groups
Companies with high racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially
Women comprise 29% of fintech workforce globally
60% of minority employees report a lack of mentorship opportunities
45% of fintech startups have at least one woman in their founding team
25% of employees in the payment card industry believe that diversity initiatives are superficial or ineffective
22% of companies have diversity and inclusion metrics incorporated into executive compensation packages
The percentage of LGBTQ+ representation among senior leadership in payment companies is estimated at 8%
55% of fintech executives believe diversity improves innovation
38% of minorities report feeling underrepresented in leadership roles within the payment industry
50% of companies have experienced challenges in recruiting diverse talent for payment roles
21% of the payment industry workforce is from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups
31% of fintech employees report negative experiences related to their race or gender at work
27% of women in the payment industry have experienced gender-based harassment
44% of fintech funding rounds are invested in companies with diverse founding teams

Gender, Minority, and LGBTQ+ Workforce Statistics Interpretation

While women now hold 36% of decision-making roles in the payment card industry—a notable rise from 22% in 2019—and over half of executives believe diversity fuels better performance, nearly half of employees still feel workplaces lack inclusivity, minorities and women face discrimination and underrepresentation, and superficial diversity efforts persist, highlighting that the industry's progress on genuine inclusivity remains an ongoing, complex challenge.

Representation and Leadership in FinTech

Only 18% of leadership roles in fintech are held by minorities
Companies with diverse leadership are 1.8 times more likely to be profitably performed
Only 12% of senior leaders in the payment card industry are people of color

Representation and Leadership in FinTech Interpretation

The stark underrepresentation of minorities in fintech leadership not only highlights a pressing equity gap but also underscores a missed opportunity for more profitable and innovative payment card industries that embrace diversity at the top.