2026 Banking Outlook

Learn what financial institutions and consumers are saying about their expectations for 2026 in this month’s Executive Report.

You’ll find articles including:

Institutions pulling from a bag of diverse tactics to win deposits
Financial incentives alone won’t draw customers and build loyalty. But for the mercurial young consumer, lower fees and higher deposit rates can help.

Branches endure as digital fatigue creeps in
Mobile banking is here to stay, but sometimes consumers want more than technology can offer. Knowing how to promote high-touch branch services will be banks’ challenge.

Thoughtful banks can win customers when anxiety hits the kitchen table
Cash is still king when it comes to attracting and keeping consumers. As economic and personal finance worries grow, knowing which financial and service levers to pull will separate banking’s leaders.

Small business, big stakes: Why SMBs are the new growth engine
At the heart of the economy and our everyday lives are local merchants who want the right banking services and financial partners who are committed to their success.

Beyond the hype: Leveraging AI for purposeful transformation in banking
The proofs of concept are out there. Now, it’s time for results. The industry has a lot riding on its ability to reimagine operations around this technology.

Fraud’s frontlines: How small banks and credit unions must prepare in 2026
When would-be criminals exploit the trust local financial institutions work so hard to build, unifying internal teams under a FRAML framework is a strong, proactive response.

How Agentic AI will make banking more human
Refining customer data into personalized services and communications can restore the bonds of trust that sometimes fray in digital-first relationships.

ACH fraud and Nacha’s new rules: Why now is the time to act
Sharing responsibility, collaborating, and democratizing data empower institutions to identify and respond more effectively to sophisticated fraud schemes.