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Financial Services Trends and Predictions 2026: Six month update

Date: July 20, 2026
Region: Global
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Six months into 2026: How are the trends transforming financial services, and what should institutions focus on next? 

The first half of 2026 has brought significant developments across financial services. AI adoption is accelerating, digital experiences are becoming a key differentiator, fraud threats are becoming more sophisticated, and competition for customer relationships is intensifying.

Our Financial Services Trends & Predictions 2026 report identified five global trends to watch, drawing on insights from more than 200,000 consumers, 60,000 businesses and thousands of real interactions with banking apps worldwide.

Now, midway through the year, our experts revisit each trend to assess what has happened so far, how our predictions are playing out, and the opportunities and challenges financial institutions should be preparing for in the months ahead.

Watch the short videos below to hear directly from the authors behind each trend and discover how the events are unfolding in your market. You can also download the full Financial Services Trends & Predictions 2026 report to help guide your strategy for the remainder of the year.

Trend #1 – From curiosity to confidence: Building trust in AI-powered finance

AI adoption continues to accelerate across financial services, but trust remains the deciding factor in customer uptake. In this short update, Caitlin Hill explores how attitudes towards AI are evolving, the progress banks have made in balancing innovation with transparency, and what institutions need to do next to build confidence in AI-powered financial services. 

You may also be interested in:
Global: What consumers worldwide think of AI in financial services
UK: Consumers are using GenAI tools to manage their money
US: The US consumer perspective on the rise of AI in finance

Trend #2 – Digital user experience (UX): The key battleground for customer loyalty

As digital interactions become the primary way customers engage with their financial institutions, user experience increasingly influencing customer acquisition, retention and trust. Mark Donohue explores the shift from digital access to customer control and how leading institutions are strengthening security, self-service and personalisation as the banking app becomes central to customer relationships.

You may also be interested in:
Global: The digital UX trends shaping the future of banking apps worldwide
Global podcast: The trends in digital UX for banking apps and what the future holds
Global: The future of and opportunities for virtual bank cards

Trend #3 – The next chapter for neobanks: From growth to value

Neobanks entered 2026 focused on profitability, deeper customer relationships and becoming full-service financial institutions. In this update, Kieran Hines examines how the sector has progressed, why some challengers are pulling ahead, and what the growing battle for deposits and primary banking relationships means for the future of banking.

You may also be interested in:
US: Fintech has the reach: Now the battle is for investment wallet share
Global podcast: From novelty to growth – what’s next for fintechs?

Trend #4 – Cybersecurity: Fraud has evolved, but have banks?

Fraud is no longer just a cybersecurity challenge; it is becoming a key factor in customer trust and loyalty. In this update, Luke Allchin explores how AI is accelerating fraud threats, how consumer expectations around protection are changing globally, and why financial institutions must make security more visible and easier for customers to manage as they compete for relationships in 2026.

You may also be interested in:
US: Security is now part of customer experience, not just a back-end function
Global: Bridging the AI trust gap: the key to consumer confidence in financial services

Trend #5 – Wealth in 2026: Unlocking fee-based growth as affluent investments rise

As affluent consumers look for higher returns and more sophisticated investment solutions, wealth management remains a major growth opportunity for financial institutions. Stefano Colombu revisits the trends driving investment activity, the forces driving investment activity, the continued move towards fee-based models, and how institutions can capture a greater share of customers’ growing wealth portfolios.

You may also be interested in:

Business banking: The implications for businesses across the five trends

The trends affecting consumer banking are also influencing the needs of SMEs and commercial banking customers. Jon Ruston examines how the five trends are impacting businesses globally, from AI adoption and digital banking expectations to cybersecurity challenges, fintech competition and international growth opportunities.

You may also be interested in:

Data-driven insights for financial service leaders

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