The stakes are high for banking software, with customers expecting secure, seamless experiences. In the era of digital-first banking, 78% consumers use banking apps weekly, and 62% say they can’t live without them. At the same time, regulators demand strict compliance, while banks and fintechs need to release digital products fast without sacrificing reliability.
QA serves as a strategic pillar in digital banking. However, not all QA service providers are created equal. For institutions navigating complex tech stacks, evolving regulations, and rising customer expectations, working with certified QA experts makes a significant difference.
What Certification Brings to QA Excellence
At the heart of certified QA is the International Testing Software Qualifications Board (ISTQB), one of the world’s most recognized certification bodies for software testing. ISTQB ensures a shared language, standardized practices, and globally accepted principles across the QA profession.
ISTQB-certified testers don’t just perform software testing; they apply structured methods, modular design, and risk-based techniques to drive repeatable, reliable results. This is especially important in banking, where quality gaps can lead to regulatory breaches, customer churn, or security vulnerabilities.
Stratpoint is one of the select ISTQB partners in the Philippines, a recognition of its commitment to global QA standards, ongoing training, and quality engineering maturity.
Certified vs. Non-Certified QA: What’s the Difference?
In banking, where a missed defect can lead to millions in penalties, losses, or reputational damage, choosing the right QA partner is more than about the cost, but also about risk and readiness.
| Certified QA Experts | Non-Certified QA Teams | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Standards-based, globally recognized frameworks | Inconsistent, tribal knowledge |
| Test Design | Modular, reusable, and easy to maintain | Ad hoc, fragile, hard to scale |
| Risk Management | Risk-based, proactive defect prevention | Reactive testing, frequent late-stage fixes |
| Adaptability | Agile-ready, test early/test often | Waterfall mindset, harder to pivot |
| Compliance Prep | Audit-ready reporting, security-first mindset | Lacks structured documentation |
Certification: Proof of Competence and Trust Factor
The main difference between a certified and non-certified QA partner is the level of trust and confidence you can have in their skills.
A certified QA practitioner has undergone formal training and passed a rigorous exam covering the full QA process, from test planning, execution, documentation, and defect handling to alignment with global industry standards. This proves they know what they’re doing, backed by a globally recognized certification.
Think of it like trusting someone with your investment. Would you trust someone who knows how banking works or an investment banker from an accredited bank to handle your investment properly?
A non-certified QA practitioner might still be skilled and experienced, but without official proof, there’s no guarantee they follow standards and best practices. They may have learned on the job or through experience, but it can be inconsistent.
A certified QA partner adds more value because:
- They’re trained with the global industry standards
- Test documents and processes are guaranteed to meet quality requirements
- Tested on real QA knowledge before earning the certification
Real Value for Financial Institutions
Working with ISTQB-certified QA experts delivers strategic benefits far beyond defect detection.
Faster time-to-market
Certified QA professionals apply optimized workflows and automation strategies that reduce rework and cycle times. This translates to smoother releases and faster updates.
Reduced risk, fewer defects
Through structured test design and early defect prevention, ISTQB-aligned QA reduces production issues, protecting user trust and limiting costly hotfixes and outages.
Compliance and security by design
Financial software must meet stringent standards. Certified QA integrates compliance checks and secure data handling into the testing lifecycle, minimizing audit surprises.
Working with the Right Certified QA Partner
While ISTQB certification can be obtained either by an individual or through their company’s support, here at Stratpoint, we are a proud ISTQB Gold Partner. We follow and live up to the global standards set by ISTQB. As a Gold Partner, we make sure our testing process, documentation, and quality checks are always up to date and aligned with international best practices.
This is especially important when working with banking and fintech clients, where accuracy, security, and compliance are critical. A small bug in a financial app can lead to major issues. That’s why we make sure everything we deliver is carefully tested, fully documented, and meets the high standards required in the financial industry.
Partnering with certified QA experts at Stratpoint means embedding quality from day one, not just detecting defects at the end.
Elevating Your Banking Quality
Certified QA practices are a competitive necessity in modern banking. Whether you’re modernizing legacy systems or launching new digital services, the right QA partner can mean the difference between confident delivery and costly failure. Stratpoint’s ISTQB-accredited QA team is ready to help you deliver better, faster, and safer applications. Fill out the form below to schedule a discovery call with #StratpointQA experts.
