AI Adoption Hits 98% in Financial Services as Security Spending Set to Surge 40%
Event summary
- Only 2% of financial institutions report no AI use, per Finastra's 2026 State of the Nation report.
- 60% of institutions improved AI capabilities over the past year, with 43% citing AI as their top innovation lever.
- Security investment expected to rise 40% in 2026 due to digital risk and regulatory scrutiny.
- 87% of respondents plan to invest in modernization over the next 12 months.
- Survey included 1,509 executives from institutions managing $100 trillion in assets.
The big picture
The financial services industry has reached a decisive AI tipping point, with near-universal adoption driving modernization and heightened security focus. This shift reflects broader trends in digital transformation, regulatory compliance, and the need for superior customer experience. The scale of assets managed by surveyed institutions ($100 trillion) underscores the strategic importance of these developments.
What we're watching
- AI Execution
- How financial institutions will scale AI responsibly and profitably across core operations.
- Regulatory Scrutiny
- Whether tightening regulations will impact the pace of AI adoption and modernization.
- Security Priorities
- The pace at which security investments will translate into tangible risk reduction.
Related topics