Behind the Scenes at bunq: How Alper Berber Built bunq’s ‘Stocks’ Feature

At bunq, innovation is powered by our people. Take Alper Berber, one of our talented Backend Developers, for example. When Alper took on the challenge of building Stocks—a game-changing feature that makes investing effortless—he didn’t just create a product. He seized the chance to grow as an engineer, collaborate with a passionate team, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Here’s how Alper turned an ambitious idea into one of bunq’s most exciting innovations.

What’s the most exciting and innovative project you’ve worked on at bunq?
“Without a doubt, it's Stocks! Investing is important, but it can be challenging, so we wanted to make it easy. We've partnered with top-notch providers to ensure our users have an excellent experience.”

What’s unique about this tech project that would excite other tech enthusiasts?
“Anyone who’s used traditional investment tools knows how challenging stock investing can be. What’s unique about this project is that we built an incredible product within a month, without reinventing our codebase, thanks to our flexible backend structures!”

How did you get started on this project, and what skills have been crucial in making it a success?
“I remember when Nick, our Backend Lead, asked if I could work on an external API integration. I’d never tackled a project this big before, but with my colleagues' guidance, I learned the value of agility and effective communication—essential skills for all bunqers!”

What new technologies or approaches have you explored with this project?
“At bunq, we're meticulous about code behavior. Imagine a complex network of subway routes—that’s what we needed to simplify. We maximized the efficiency of our background processes to turn this network into a simple, linear flow.”

How does working on this project push you to grow as an engineer?
“I’ve developed hard skills, like best practices for clean, consistent code, and expanded my knowledge of modern technologies such as databases, Redis, and Elasticsearch.”

What impact does this project have on our users and make life easier for them?
“Stock investing used to seem complex, but now, with Stocks, tracking shares of companies like Nvidia and Apple is easy—and it’s amazing to see users benefiting too! I used to find investing challenging, but now, I check the total number of stocks bought and sold daily, and it’s fulfilling to see how we’ve simplified the process for everyone.”

If your project had a theme song, what would it be?
“If I had to pick one, it'd be Are We Ready? (Wreck) by Two Door Cinema Club.”

Ready to take your career to the next level in a fast-paced, innovative environment? At bunq, you’ll work with talented colleagues like Alper, tackle exciting challenges, and create features that truly make a difference.

Explore our open positions and start your journey today.