80% of Payments Firms Struggle with Data Fragmentation Despite AI Push
Event summary
- 80% of payments firms experience moderate to significant operational disruption from fragmented data, per AutoRek's 2026 Payments Survey.
- 96% of firms are adopting AI, but 69% cite manual processes and limited automation as their biggest scalability constraint.
- Only 33% of firms are fully prepared for upcoming compliance requirements, with 84% expecting controls updates within 12 months.
- Firms expect 24% of payment volume to flow through blockchain-based rails by 2030.
The big picture
Payments firms are caught in a paradox: while heavily investing in AI and instant payments, back-office operations remain stuck in manual processes. This operational gap undermines growth, scalability, and innovation, creating regulatory and competitive risks. The industry's ambition is clear, but sustained competitiveness will depend on building resilient, scalable operational foundations that support long-term growth.
What we're watching
- Operational Alignment
- How payments firms will bridge the gap between front-end AI innovation and back-office automation.
- Regulatory Readiness
- Whether firms can meet evolving real-time controls demands on fragmented data foundations.
- Competitive Differentiation
- The pace at which operationally mature organizations will outpace those struggling with manual processes.
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