The FinTech Lighthouse: How Corporate Social Responsibility Guides FinTech Firms Through Financial Downturn

Abstract

This research investigates how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives shape the financial outcomes of FinTech companies during economic turbulence, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a longitudinal dataset of 37 large FinTech firms from key global markets, we examine the relationship between CSR and financial performance, focusing on the influence of debt on profitability. The study reveals that firm CSR commitments, particularly in governance and social spheres, can alleviate the adverse effects of debt, improving vital financial metrics like Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE). These findings underscore the value of CSR as a risk management tool for enhancing financial resilience in the FinTech industry. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.