Digital Banking Trends 2026

Over the past year, AI banking assistants have evolved from simple chatbots into trusted financial advisors. In 2026, AI will become the foundational intelligence layer of banking, powering both products and their delivery.

For example, AI might analyse a customer’s spending habits to automatically suggest a high-yield savings account (the product) while also streamlining the account opening process through a chat interface (the delivery).

Acting as both a product and an enabler, they’ll actively help customers manage their money and make smarter financial decisions.

Today’s customers expect their bank to understand their needs and offer solutions that are tailored to them. And many banks are already delivering this.

Banks like Wells Fargo (US) already use AI to track spending, plan for expenses, and suggest products tailored to individual needs. Hybrid models, such as Betterment (US) and Sidekick (UK), blend AI with human expertise to make financial advice more accessible, especially for mass affluent customers who want both convenience and expertise.

Security is still a top priority. Modern AI assistants use advanced measures like FIDO authentication, end-to-end encryption and behavioural biometrics to keep interactions secure and seamless. As AI integration meets bank-grade security, these systems are also evolving to automatically handle complex tasks such as loan approvals and fraud detection.

Agentic AI is another area that’s advancing, with systems now capable of handling complex tasks like loan approvals and fraud detection automatically.

2026 will reflect AI’s dual role as both a product and an enabler, driving data-driven banking experiences that are predictive, personalised and proactive.

Key developments in AI banking assistants in 2026

• Predicting life events (like buying a home or having a child) and suggesting financial strategies
• Automating routine tasks, like paying bills, saving and adjusting investments
• Stopping fraud faster by analysing behavior in real time
• Understanding natural language better, making conversations with banks feel more human
• Acting as a personal financial coach, adapting to customer goals and circumstances

Customers now see their bank as more than just a service provider - they expect a proactive financial partner. So banks will need to offer proactive, personalised AI services to make sure customers don’t move to more digital-savvy competitors.

To explore how AI is reshaping financial advice in the mobile age, watch our discussion with CEO Carsten Wengel and CTO Corsin Decurtins. And for even more, join our webinar to learn how leading banks are using AI to democratise advisory services, improve customer engagement and stay ahead in a competitive market.

Mobile banking has transformed dramatically over the years, evolving far beyond simple transactions. By 2026, mobile apps will be the primary way most people manage their finances - from everyday spending to long-term planning.

The rise of ‘super apps’ (platforms that combine banking with travel, healthcare, government services and more) is already starting to reshape the banking industry. This has enabled some banks to become central hubs for a wide range of services.

For example, Revolut (UK) has expanded beyond traditional banking to offer:

• An AI-powered assistant for real-time financial guidance
• Digital mortgages across Europe
• ATMs with facial recognition in Spain
• Mobile plans with eSIM technology

These additions have transformed their regular banking app into an indispensable tool that keeps customers engaged and connected to their finances in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago.

But building these advanced experiences can be complex and require major technical investment. A mobile banking super app might use AI to deliver real-time financial insights, augmented reality to simplify complex decisions and cutting-edge security to keep data safe. To help streamline development and scale innovation, some banks are adopting cloud-based systems and open APIs to quickly integrate new services and collaborate with third-party providers like G+D Netcetera.

Security and usability are both top priorities. So banks are using zero-trust security models, biometric logins and continuous behavior monitoring to protect customers without detracting from the user experience.

Key developments in mobile banking apps in 2026

• Expanded service ecosystems where banking apps become gateways to a wide range of financial and lifestyle services
• AI-powered financial wellness tools that offer personalised budgeting advice, spending insights and financial planning
• Augmented reality features that help customers visualise financial decisions like mortgage options or investment growth
• True omnichannel experiences that maintain context as customers move between mobile, web, and in-branch interactions
• Context-aware notifications that provide relevant financial information exactly when customers need it
• Personalised interfaces that adapt to individual preferences and financial situations

The pressure to innovate in mobile banking will remain intense. Fintechs and big tech companies are constantly setting higher standards, and banks that don’t keep up risk losing customers to competitors with more intuitive, feature-rich apps.

G+D Netcetera’s Mobile & Web Banking platform provides the foundation for these advanced mobile experiences. From personalised dashboards to intelligent search and seamless cross-channel journeys, we give banks the tools to create mobile banking experiences that meet modern customer expectations.

Open Banking has evolved from a regulatory requirement into a powerful driver of innovation in finance. By 2026, embedded finance will play a central role in how financial services are delivered, opening new spaces for growth and participation. Banks will connect with customers in their everyday lives, shifting value from products to participation as they become orchestrators of whole digital ecosystems.

Success in this space will come down to collaboration. Banks are teaming up with fintechs, retailers and even rivals to create smooth, integrated financial experiences. For example, options like ‘buy now, pay later’ and instant loans are now standard at online checkouts, offering customers relevant financial services when they may need them. As well as helping banks to expand their reach, partnerships allow them to do so without the high costs of acquiring new customers.

Openness is the foundation for innovation and speed. Standardised APIs, particularly those developed by the Berlin Group, have made it easier for banks to share data and integrate with other services. This has helped reduce friction for customers while creating new ways for banks to generate revenue, such as through API subscription fees, revenue-sharing deals and monetising data and services through ‘data-as-a-service.’

One interesting trend is the rise of ‘coopetition,’ where banks both compete and cooperate with other financial providers. For example, a bank might offer its payment services through a competitor’s app to access new customer groups. This reflects the move toward ‘banking as a platform,’ where banks integrate partner and third-party services into their own value proposition.

Key developments in embedded finance in 2026

• Expansion of banking-as-a-service offerings that enable non-bank businesses to provide financial products
• Contextual financial services that appear automatically when customers need them
• Simplified integration through standard API frameworks and composable architectures
• New cooperation models between banks, fintechs and other service providers
• Embedded insurance products that appear at relevant moments in the customer journey
• Seamless cross-border services that leverage open banking standards

Regulations are also evolving to support this shift. Initiatives like PSD3 and the Financial Data Access (FiDA) framework will make data sharing more secure and straightforward.

G+D Netcetera’s modular, API-first solutions help banks thrive in this changing environment. Our tools enable secure data sharing and banking-as-a-service partnerships, allowing banks to embrace embedded finance while maintaining control of their customer relationships and unlocking new revenue opportunities.

More of our lives are happening online than ever before. As a result, securely verifying who we are has become one of the biggest challenges in financial services. But banks are in a unique position to lead the way. With their robust systems for customer verification, fraud prevention and regulatory compliance, banks are set to become the go-to providers of digital identity services by 2026.

This shift brings clear advantages. Customers will enjoy the convenience of using their bank-verified identity across various services, making online interactions both smoother and safer. Advanced AI-powered fraud prevention systems will analyse behavior in real time, stopping suspicious activity before it causes harm. And regulations like eIDAS 2.0 further strengthen banks’ role as trusted leaders in digital identity.

Beyond security and convenience, this development opens up new business opportunities. Banks can turn their expertise in identity verification into a revenue stream by offering ‘identity-as-a-service’ to other industries. This not only creates new income streams but also strengthens customer trust and reduces fraud.

Key developments in digital identity in 2026

• National digital identity schemes with banks playing a central role in verification and management
• Biometric authentication becoming the standard for secure, passwordless logins
• Portable digital identities that customers can use across different services and platforms
• Cross-border identity solutions that work seamlessly across different countries
• Fraud prevention networks that share information between financial institutions
• Identity services for non-financial sectors like healthcare, government and ecommerce

The technology behind digital identity is advancing quickly. Modern systems now use behavioral biometrics, device recognition and continuous authentication to keep accounts secure without adding hassle for users. Banks, with their deep experience in secure transactions and compliance, are well placed to take the lead.

G+D Netcetera’s Digital Identity solutions give banks the tools they need to become trusted identity providers. From passwordless logins and single sign-on to FIDO compliance, we help banks securely manage digital identities and offer these services to other businesses.

Stablecoins are quickly becoming a practical part of the financial system, even as central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) remain in development. By 2026, more banks are expected to adopt regulated stablecoin services for payments, remittances and asset management.

Stablecoins offer several benefits over traditional payment methods. They make cross-border transactions faster and more affordable, while also serving as a link between conventional finance and digital assets. Regulations like the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) are giving banks the confidence and legal clarity they need to safely embrace these innovations.

Customer interest (particularly among younger users) is pushing banks to offer digital asset services. This is creating both opportunities and challenges for traditional financial institutions. On the one hand, stablecoins open up new revenue streams and help banks attract tech-savvy customers. On the other, they introduce operational complexities, regulatory challenges and the need for robust security measures.

Key developments in stablecoins in 2026

• Stablecoin payment rails that enable instant, low-cost transactions
• Custody and management services for institutional and retail customers
• Bank-issued stablecoins pegged to major currencies
• Integration with traditional banking allowing customers to hold, spend and earn interest on stablecoins
• Smart contract functionality that automates complex financial agreements
• Regulatory compliance tools that help banks manage the risks of digital assets

Banks that overlook this trend risk losing ground to more forward-thinking competitors. But entering the stablecoin space requires careful planning to address regulatory, security and market demands.

To understand how your bank can prepare for the rise of stablecoins, book a consultation with our expert, Andreas Pages, and explore strategies tailored to your institution’s needs.

The banking industry is changing fast. To stay competitive in 2026, banks need to focus on a few critical areas:

1. AI-driven personalisation that turns generic services into tailored financial advice
2. Mobile banking excellence that makes the app the primary customer interface
3. Embedded finance partnerships that extend banking services into new markets
4. Digital identity services that position banks as trusted providers
5. Stablecoin strategies that address the growing demand for digital assets

G+D Netcetera is at the centre of this digital shift, acting as a trusted partner for banks navigating change. Our flexible digital banking platform equips financial institutions not just to keep up with transformation, but to set the pace. We design solutions that match both customer needs and the latest trends, enabling banking experiences that are secure, smooth and built for the future.

If your bank is interested in partnering with an experienced third-party provider, speak with our experts to see how G+D Netcetera could help.