Employee Spotlight with Eero Vahteri
TL;DR
Eero’s Role and Contributions: As a software engineer at Enable Banking, Eero is responsible for maintaining high-quality software by fixing issues, integrating new banks, and ensuring API functionality across Europe. His teamwork and communication skills really shine in this collaborative environment, and with his keen attention to details and commitment to thorough testing he has made valuable contributions since day one.
Learning and Growth: Eero values the continuous learning opportunities and the supportive, collaborative culture at Enable Banking. In particular, he appreciates the company’s “learning by doing” approach, combined with the fast-paced nature of the fintech industry, creating a fantastic environment for recent graduates eager to sharpen their skills quickly.
Modern Technology and Team Culture: Unlike the perception of legacy technology in banking, Eero highlights the use of modern tech and practices at Enable Banking. The open, team-oriented culture allows him to share progress and challenges freely, making teamwork and transparency central to their workplace.
In our latest Employee Spotlight, we’re excited to introduce Eero Vahteri, a junior software engineer who joined our team just six months ago. Eero brings enthusiasm and dedication to his role, and his journey is an inspiring example of what it means to grow alongside a company pushing the boundaries in Open Banking. We sat down with him to discuss his work, motivations, and thoughts on the industry.
Could you please introduce yourself and share what your role at Enable Banking entails?
Well, I’m a software engineer here at Enable Banking. I’ve been with the company for about six months now, and I spend my days troubleshooting, monitoring the performance of our software, and integrating new banks into our API. My favourite thing about being a software engineer is that it lets me tap into creativity while tackling all sorts of problems – some complex and others a bit simpler. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience to implement a code fix, watch it come to life, and know that people are actually benefiting from the software I’m building. It’s a great feeling and a source of motivation that inspires me every day.
What drew you to Enable Banking initially and how has your journey been so far?
I was fresh out of university and on a hunt for a job in my field of studies when I stumbled upon Enable Banking’s job listing. It immediately grabbed my attention. The technical details in the job description stood out to me as they aligned perfectly with my motivations, ambitions, and the skills I had developed through my hobby projects in API development.
Naturally, I checked out the company website and noticed their frequent Changelogs. I loved seeing how they were constantly updating their software, and the idea that my contributions could be part of that ongoing progress really inspired me. It made the whole opportunity feel exciting and personal. Now, six months in, I can say that it’s been an amazing journey!
One of the most memorable experiences so far was the first time I saw one of my fixes live on our API. It was a small error, but seeing it resolved and knowing that users were benefiting from my work was awesome. It made me feel like I was bringing real value right from the start. I’ve learned a ton about Open Banking and API development, and I’ve had the chance to work alongside some incredibly skilled people. The environment here is very supportive and growth-oriented, which is exactly what I hoped for in my first role. Overall, it’s been a fantastic experience, and I’m excited about what’s to come.
Can you walk us through a typical day at work for you?
Sure! My day usually starts with checking my emails, especially to see if there are any updates from banks or partners we’ve been in touch with. Then, I check my current tasks and adjust them based on anything that popped up overnight. Most of my day is then spent fixing bugs or implementing new features.
We also have daily team meetings where everyone gives updates on what they have been working on and we can check in on each other’s progress. Throughout the day, I monitor the systems and always keep an eye out for potential issues to ensure that everything’s running smoothly. It’s a dynamic role that keeps me engaged!
What are the current projects you are working on?
Right now, I’m working on integrating new banks in Romania and Bulgaria into our API, which is an exciting part of our priority to expand our coverage across Europe. My work directly impacts the value our products provide to our partners, and every new bank I integrate is a step toward expanding our user base and making our software more useful. It feels rewarding to be at the core of something so impactful.
On top of that, I’m working on some smaller fixes and improvements. Every detail counts when it comes to keeping the system running smoothly and fixing issues as they come up is crucial!
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced in your role so far?
The biggest challenge with APIs is often just finding the problem! It could be with the API we’re using, our code, or something completely unrelated like network issues. Figuring out exactly where things go wrong or where the bug is can be tough and requires thorough testing and patience. However, the more experience you gain, the easier it becomes to navigate these challenges. I’ve learned that when it comes to testing patience is key.
What key skills have you found to be important in your role?
I’d say teamwork is a big one. Developing software is definitely a team effort. You can’t do it alone. My experience in team sports taught me the value of working together and helped me build strong teamwork skills that I rely on in this role. Secondly, effective communication is crucial for working well as a team, especially when it comes to openly sharing the challenges we’re facing so we can support each other. Being able to clearly express the kind of support I need has been incredibly valuable for our team's collaboration.
What’s your approach to ensuring high-quality code?
Testing is my main approach to ensure high-quality code. We have robust pipelines for automated testing, so any changes go through several rounds of checks to catch potential issues. Moreover, we have a code review process where the senior developers do quality checks and provide feedback, which really makes it a really collaborative process. I also monitor the software after deploying changes to make sure everything’s working as expected.
Why do you find fintech so interesting?
From a software engineering perspective, fintech is fascinating because it’s full of new use cases, especially with Open Banking. The fintech space is constantly evolving so there’s always something new to discover. Also, because we’re dealing with sensitive data, cybersecurity and data handling practices have to be rock-solid, which pushes you to always stay on top of your game. I really appreciate the fast pace and endless learning opportunities.
Did anything surprise you about Enable Banking’s technology?
I joined Enable Banking straight from university, where we studied up-to-date tech and approaches and I have to say that I was positively surprised that the tech team is already using very modern technologies. I was really happy to find that I could apply the skills I learned in university and in my hobby projects right away. It’s not like I’m working with niche or outdated programming languages. So, if you’re considering a career in fintech or Open Banking, it doesn’t necessarily mean a career working with old tech, there are companies out there using more modern approaches.
If you had to describe Enable Banking in one word, what would it be?
It would be open. We have daily team meetings where everyone is upfront about what they’re working on, what’s going well, and what challenges they are facing. This openness isn’t just internal, it is reflected in our public communications as well. A great example of this is our monthly changelog, where we outline all the updates we’ve made each month. Our changelog lets other developers know what changes we’ve made on our side, and the constant work we do to update and stay ahead of any changes that can occur. The dev team is always open to changes in our API and we’re flexible with what we will be working on next. It’s an integral part of our culture.
What’s the best thing about working here?
The best thing about working at Enable Banking is the teamwork. Everyone across all departments is constantly pushing to get the best results together. It creates a sense of shared purpose, and everyone is always willing to help each other out.
Another great thing about working here is the learning opportunities. I’m always learning from my team. Enable Banking is also growing, and that growth creates plenty of opportunities for me to learn. The environment is very supportive, and my input and contributions are valued, encouraging me to take on new challenges.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in software engineering in the financial industry?
First, if you’re curious about fintech, a lot of companies have good documentation available online, so you can dive into that to get a feel for what the work involves. Also, focus on cybersecurity and networking—these skills are highly valued in fintech. I would also recommend doing some hobby projects, since that allows you to clearly demonstrate your interest and capabilities to potential employers. It’s also a great way to explore whether this is something you truly enjoy and want to work with.
Do you think companies like Enable Banking are good for graduates?
Absolutely. Companies like Enable Banking offer real experience from the start. There’s no drawn-out training period—you jump right into tasks that are directly connected to the company’s goals. You get the full picture and can grow your skills quickly.
From day one, I’ve been assigned meaningful tasks — no fluff or theory-heavy sessions. I really appreciate the focus on learning by doing, especially as a recent graduate. My team is also incredibly knowledgeable and supportive, creating a great environment for growth.
And lastly, what do you enjoy outside of work?
After a busy day, I like to do something physically challenging, like a fast-paced run or a heavy gym session. A good gym session always helps me unwind and I am a strong believer that the brain gets a breather when the body is doing the heavy lifting. I also play ice hockey and regularly go cycling. Outside of sports, I like (non-competitive) cooking.
It's great to have you as part of the team, Eero. Welcome to Enable Banking 🤝